A report commissioned by the charity Dogs Trust today revealed a whopping 75% of dogs are banned from private rental properties.

The alarming statistic could not come at a worse time as the country faces the threat of recession. With increasing numbers of Brits forced to downsize or rent property  there is a real risk that thousands of pets may be abandoned or handed over to rehoming charities such as Dogs Trust.

Many of the 16,000 dogs the charity cares for each year have been reluctantly handed over by owners who cannot find pet-friendly rental properties. Several of the 17 Dogs Trust rehoming centres have already reported an increase in calls from owners requesting help with vets bills or rehoming their pet due to financial difficulties.

Lets with Pets is the latest Dogs Trust campaign helping dogs whose owners are facing a serious housing crisis because their landlords do not allow pets. Dogs Trust is working with the lettings industry to help demonstrate how pet inclusive tenancy agreements can benefit both the landlord and tenant.

To understand the scale of the problem the charity conducted a nationwide survey of over 1,400 pet owners in June 2008. The results were alarming:

• 78% of pet owners experienced difficulties finding privately rented accommodation that allowed pets

• 54% did not find anywhere that allowed pets:
14%  kept their pet without landlord’s knowledge or consent
11.4% rented an unsuitable property in order to keep their pet
8.5%  rehomed their pet to friends, family or a rescue centre
8.2% bought property, did not move or are still looking
0.4% had their pet euthanised

• 47% of landlords gave tenants no reason why pets were banned

• The UK’s least pet-friendly landlords live in the West Midlands – 83% of pet owners had difficulty finding accommodation

• Northern Ireland has the most pet-friendly landlords – but 66% of owners still have problems finding rented accommodation

• Things are no better for other pets – 65% of cats are banned and 10% of private landlords even ban fish!

Dogs Trust Chief Executive Clarissa Baldwin explains:

“Pet owners who need to rent privately are being forced to live in unsuitable properties, or rent with their pets without consent from their landlord.  Even though a dog is for life, in some extreme cases owners are having to give up their beloved pets or else face becoming homeless.

‘We are consulting with the Association of Residential Lettings Agencies (ARLA), other professional housing bodies and letting agents to develop Lets with Pets, a UK-wide campaign encouraging landlords to accept pet-owning tenants and help owners find the elusive pet-accepting landlord.”

The charity has compiled five top tips for finding pet-friendly accommodation:

1. Write a ‘C.V.’ for your pet, so that your landlord can objectively consider if your dog may be suitable as a tenant. Consider including the following points:

• Your dog’s breed, size, age and activity level.
• If your dog is a purebred, include the breed’s positive breed traits.
• Try to highlight your dog’s history of good behaviour and house training.
• If your dog has attended and completed training classes.
• If your dog is neutered.

2. Get a pet reference from your previous landlord or letting agent and offer to pay a larger deposit to cover any damage.

3. Supply the details of your vet and provide proof of up to date vaccinations, worming and flea treatments

4. Tell your landlord how long your dog will be left alone in the property on a regular basis. It will help if you are able to state whether you will take your dog to work, arrange for day care or be at home with your dog most of the time

5. Stress that dogs are very effective as a burglar deterrent!

Example case studies: Cornish couple who bought a 60ft trawler to live on and converted it to a pirate shop; English couple who bought a B&B in the Outer Hebrides; London estate agent who herself has faced difficulties renting with pets.