Confusion surrounds the government's plans to introduce '�pets in lets' measures, with conflicting messages coming from the DLUHC.

It has confirmed that the new system within the Renters (Reform) Bill, ensuring landlords do not unreasonably withhold consent when a tenant requests a pet in their home, will first apply to new tenancies and then later to any remaining existing tenancies. However, LandlordZONE has seen a recent email response from a DLUHC policy representative to a member of the animal rights/owners campaigning community revealing that measures will only apply initially to existing tenancies, with new tenancies exempted until landlords get used to the new rules.

Continued choice

The email explained: 'The right to request a pet that landlords cannot unreasonably refuse will apply within tenancies '� it will be an implied term of all assured tenancies (other than those which are exempted). Landlords will continue to have the choice about who they rent their property to at the outset of the tenancy.

'Although landlords will not need to provide a reason if they choose not to let to prospective tenants who own a pet, strengthening the rights of existing tenants to request a pet should lead to an increase in the number of '�pet friendly' properties. As landlords gain confidence in renting properties with pets and will not be able to unreasonable refuse a request once a tenancy has started, we hope they will be more open to considering prospective tenants with pets at the outset.'�

Smooth transition

The DLUHC now tells LandlordZONE: 'We will allow time for a smooth transition to the new tenancy system and ensure that all parties have sufficient notice of the changes. The new system will first apply to new tenancies and then later to any remaining existing tenancies.

'The new tenancy system, including the abolition of section 21 and move to periodic tenancies, will be implemented in two stages, thus giving landlords and tenants alike sufficient notice to implement the necessary changes.'�