Question reference: S6W-02524
- Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 25 August 2021
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 23 September 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what (a) its position is on and (b) support it can provide to pet owners in (i) local authority and (ii) privately-rented accommodation who face their lease being terminated at short notice and may be required to give up their pet should the only available alternative property have a landlord that does not accept pets.
Answer
We understand the benefits of having a pet and sympathise with tenants who have to give up their pet when they move to a home where no pets are allowed. Decisions on whether pets are allowed in a tenancy are a matter for individual landlords and will be reflected in each tenancy agreement.
Landlords should however give careful consideration to policies that restrict pet ownership. We would encourage both social and private rented sector landlords to take a practical and considered approach to this and consider the benefits of reduced social isolation and loneliness that can come from pet ownership, particularly in cases where a tenant has a pet and needs to move to a new tenancy.
As part of the shared policy programme between the Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party a new deal for tenants will be the focus of a Rented Sector Strategy we will publish by the end of 2021, and consult on in early 2022. This new deal will introduce new and strengthened rights for tenants, for example giving tenants greater flexibility to decorate their home and to keep pets.