Demand for dog-friendly flats in London soars

A decade ago there were virtually no dog-owners in London, according to a London lettings specialist

This year, 30 per cent of prospective tenants have been dog-owners

Dog-owners are having to scrap for canine-friendly rental property in the capital, where the cost of renting a dog-friendly flat is soaring.

Not every landlord allows pets, pushing up prices on the rental properties where tenants can live with their dogs, according to London lettings specialist E J Harris.

The premium on deposits for such apartments could be as much as £25,000, according to E J Harris' "pets&pads" survey.

The agency said that a decade ago there were virtually no dog-owners in London, but by 2013, 10 per cent of the city's population had a dog.

This year, 30 per cent of prospective tenants have been dog-owners.

"These tenants want luxury pads situated close to Hyde Park or The Regent’s Park, where they can regularly take their pets for walks," said Elizabeth Harris, Managing Director of E J Harris.

The survey revealed that a one bedroom flat in central London for with a £500 per week rent will require a deposit of £5000 for a pet owner instead of the normal £3000.

A three bedroom flat let at £2,500 per week commands a deposit of £25,000 from a dog-owner versus just £15,000 from a pet-free tenant.

E J Harris said the perception among landlords is that pets can cause unforseen damage, so many also include a professional cleaning clause in contracts.

Elizabeth Harris said dog-owning tenants are advised "to create a ‘pet CV’ that provides a detailed description of the pet and outlines key facts regarding behavior, health and grooming, which can help alleviate the landlord’s concerns”.