A new Bill is currently making its way through Parliament, aiming to improve access to private rental accommodation for tenants. The Renters’ Rights Bill includes several provisions, including measures to make renting with a pet more accessible. However, ADUK is concerned that the Bill does not fully consider the nuances of renting with an assistance dog.
Under the Bill, landlords will be able to:
- Require specific insurance.
- Charge a fee or deduct from the deposit for cleaning the property at the end of a tenancy.
While these requirements are designed for pets, ADUK has questioned whether the Government and, crucially, the landlords who will be applying these rules fully understand the distinction between pets and assistance dogs. To address this concern, ADUK engaged with Lord Trees, who raised the issue in the House of Lords during the Bill’s Second Reading. He is now considering tabling an amendment on ADUK’s behalf to ensure this difference is clearly specified in the Bill.
Following on from this, the Government has acknowledged the issue. In response to a letter from ADUK, Baroness Taylor, the Minister responsible for the Bill in the House of Lords, confirmed that the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government is looking into the matter. She expressed concern about instances where disabled people who rely on highly trained assistance dogs have faced discrimination from landlords. While she reiterated that protection should already be covered under the Equality Act, ADUK believes it is essential for this distinction to be explicitly stated in the Bill to prevent any misinterpretation.
Alongside its work in Parliament, ADUK has also been engaging directly with landlords. We are pleased to announce a new collaboration with the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), which represents around 120,000 landlords responsible for an estimated one million properties. Together, we are:
- Developing guidance for the NRLA website on welcoming tenants with assistance dogs.
- Participating in an upcoming webinar on the Renters’ Rights Bill.
- Supporting the NRLA’s education academy in training landlords on this issue.
ADUK remains committed to ensuring fair access to rental accommodation for people who rely on highly trained assistance dogs. We are grateful to the members of the ADUK Policy Working Group for their ongoing support and will continue to provide updates as this issue progresses.
If you would be interested in representing your organisation at the ADUK Policy Working Group, please email Ellie at ellie.phipps@assistancedogs.org.uk.