Moving to the UK with your favourite pet

Nov. 6, 2012 - PRLog -- When you are considering moving to the UK and you want to take your loveable dog or cat and you are looking to rent a property, there are things you need to be aware of. The United Kingdom is a nation of animal lovers and many people have pets and a small fortune is spent on making sure they lead a life of comparative luxury in the main.

The main problem you will encounter is depending on the where you wish to rent in the UK, your cat and dog, no matter how appealing and how much they are house-trained are not wanted by a vast majority of landlord’s and property owners. Your prospective landlord may even possess one of these loveable creatures themselves it makes no difference and invariably they will say no to you renting their property should you have any pets particularly dogs or cats.  

Having an animal or two in tow can reduce your ability to view the maximum amount of suitable properties in some areas by 70% of available properties. So how can you increase your chances of finding a property which the whole family and your pet can be accommodated?

Using a Homefinder from the Association of Relocation Professionals (ARP) is a good start and certainly helps in that in many cases they will research the market and already having an excellent relationship with agents can help to overturn the landlord’s reticence to take an animal into their rental property.

If you feel that you need assistance then please do not hesitate to contact us no matter how exotic your pet and we can provide assistance, advice and help. We have placed many assignees and their pets into homes and are fully aware of the market and the pitfalls.

Your chosen location is also a major factor in increasing your likelihood of finding a home that will accept a cat or dog. Central London is a particularly difficult location, the majority of apartments do not have much open space, private access and if they do there are legal restrictions in accepting your pet. For your pet it is dangerous with cars everywhere and many parts of central London there are no green open spaces for your pets to play. Very often the head lease (which lays down the rules of owners and tenants residing in the block) prohibits any tenant having a pet within the flat.

Staying with London you have the areas around Hyde Park, Regents Park and the other Royal Parks where you can walk your dog, being mindful of the rules and regulations of those parks. As there has been a long tradition of pets within the parks, the property owners with properties surrounding and near to the parks have tended to be more amenable to having pets. This is probably the scenario around all the UK cities and towns, but an ARP Homefinder will be able to best advise you.

Outside of London and in the countryside it is much more easier to source properties that will accept cats and dogs. The property market is fast moving and there may be many prospective tenants for the property of your choice. Be prepared to offer the full amount against the full asking price, which will increase your chances of acceptances. Also be prepared to sign some form of disclaimer against your pet damaging or destroying property and you may have to make good any damage before you leave.  You would normally have to pay an additional deposit against any such damage.

Make sure that you arrange the property transportation and all the necessary veterinary and legal requirements that are currently in force in the UK for bringing your pets into the UK. An ARP Homefinder should be able to guide and provide the help and assistance you need to ensure the welfare of your pet and the smoothest possible transition into the UK.