Paws and Properties: How to Find Pet-Friendly Accommodation

James Bartholomew

Many people struggle to find rental accommodation in England, because so many landlords and landladies won’t accept pets.

• Lets with Pets (run by Dogs Trust) offers a free Good Practice Handbook for landlords (Endsleigh Insurance provides landlords with pet cover).
• Start searching for suitable property weeks beforehand, ensuring it’s somewhere near to work, if you can’t afford to hire a dog walker.
• Write a pet CV including references from friends, vets and previous landlords. Also introduce to prospective landlords.
• PetsLets (London) educates landlords and estate agents, to inspire them to allow pets. DogLaw has useful info.
• On arrival, take dogs for a nice walk, and keep familiar smells nearby (pet beds, clothes – not socks as these are choking hazards).
• If moving by car, Driving with Dogs lists walks near motorway exits, in case you get stuck in a traffic jam.
• Read up on train travel with pets (animals must be kept on leads or in carriers, and bring water and treats – pets are not allowed on escalators (they must be carried) and never allow animals near trains.
• If moving in or out, ensure pets are safe for pets (includes indoor plants to avoid). Also avoid facing indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop bird strike.