Kennel Club hails new housing bill protecting tenants’ rights to keep pets

The Kennel Club has welcomed the passing of the Housing (Scotland) Bill, which introduces new measures preventing landlords from unreasonably refusing tenants’ requests to keep pets.

The legislation, approved by the Scottish Parliament, is intended to strengthen tenants’ rights and encourage responsible pet ownership across the country. It follows longstanding calls from welfare groups for more consistent rules on pet-friendly renting.

Holly Conway, head of public affairs at the Kennel Club, said: “We are delighted that the Housing (Scotland) Bill has passed, which will ensure landlords cannot impose blanket bans on pets without just cause. Dogs, and other pets, can have such a positive impact on people’s lives, particularly with their physical and mental wellbeing, and this legislation will help reduce barriers for tenants who want to keep a pet.”

The Kennel Club has been campaigning for reforms to support pet-friendly housing policies and said the bill represented a “significant step forward” in recognising the role of pets in tenants’ lives.

Further details about the organisation’s work on housing and welfare policy are available on its website.