Understanding pet damage protection insurance
Discover why pet damage insurance is essential for landlords renting to pet owners
Changes proposed in the Renters’ Rights Bill make it more important than ever for landlords to establish clear pet policies. Once the Bill comes into force, tenants will have the right to challenge a landlord’s refusal to keep pets, which means landlords must be prepared to handle the potential risks and legal considerations of renting to pet owners.
Pet damage refers to the harm caused to a property by pets, which can range from scratches on flooring and chewed furniture to stains on carpets. While pets bring joy and companionship to tenants, they can also pose a risk to the landlord’s property. The damage can often be costly to repair, and without proper protection, landlords may face significant financial consequences.
As renting to pet owners becomes more common, it’s essential for landlords to understand the risks involved. Standard landlord insurance doesn’t usually cover pet-related damage, making specialised cover, like Total Landlord's pet damage protection, crucial for financial protection.
That’s why at Total Landlord we've introduced our pet damage protection insurance. This product is perfect for landlords who want to rent to pet owners without worrying about the stress of costly repairs.
With the rise in pet ownership, many landlords are seeking ways to reduce the financial risks associated with pet-related damage. Total Landlord offers pet damage protection as an extension to our award winning landlord insurance policies for both new and existing customers. If you are an existing customer, please fill out this form to find out more. If you are new customer you can get a quote here.
Below are the types of damage typically covered:
Landlord insurance covering pet damage provides landlords with financial protection from damage caused by tenants’ pets. Below are the types of damage typically covered:
Furniture damage: Pets can scratch, chew, or tear furniture. Pet damage protection could cover the cost of repairs or replacement for damaged furniture such as sofas, chairs, and tables
Flooring damage: Scratches, dents, and stains are common pet-related issues with flooring. Pet damage protection could cover the cost of cleaning or replacing a stained carpet or a scratched floor
Excessive wear and tear: Pets can accelerate wear and tear on rental properties. Pet damage protection helps cover additional damage above what would be expected with normal use
What does Total Landlord’s pet damage protection insurance cover?
Total Landlord’s pet damage protection insurance provides up to £2,500 per policy period to cover loss or damage to buildings and contents (if insured) caused by pets. The policy is available for tenanted residential premises that have up to three pets and covers a range of pet-related damages, with claims conditional on landlords holding professional inventories/condition reports and claims being identified by agreement with the tenant, a dispute resolution decision by a government authorised tenancy deposit scheme or a court order. Landlords wanting to take advantage of this unique insurance coverage, are required to have taken a traditional security deposit in accordance with the Tenant Fees Act and protected it with a formal tenancy deposit protection scheme.
Unlike most pet damage policies, Total Landlord’s product provides cover for both one off accidental events during the tenancy as well as gradual wear and tear caused by pet damage throughout the tenancy. For example, you would be covered by a dog or cat scratching at a carpet over time, as well as by damage caused to the carpet in a single incident. The policy would not cover wear and tear due to landlord negligence, poor maintenance by the landlord, poor living conditions or unhygienic living practices.
Total Landlord’s pet damage protection insurance does not discriminate against pet type. The pet must be a domestic or tamed animal owned by the tenant and kept indoors at the premises, but pet details are only required at claims stage.
Pet damage exclusionsPet damage insurance, like any other insurance, is not intended to be a maintenance policy. While pet damage insurance offers protection for many types of pet-related damage, there are certain exclusions and conditions that landlords need to be aware of for the cover to be effective.
Total Landlord’s pet damage protection does not cover:
Damage in excess of £2,500 over the policy period: Total Landlord’s pet damage protection insurance provides up to £2,500 in pet damage cover per policy period (not per incident), available to the landlord once the initial security deposit has been exhausted. The deposit acts as the first port of call for any pet damage related costs with the policy picking up any excess costs once the deposit has been exhausted.
Please note, the pet damage cover is not available to landlords who do not take a traditional security deposit, equal to five weeks’ rent, or utilise a deposit replacement product
Damage to gardens: Any damage caused to gardens, fences or outdoor spaces by pets is not covered
Tenant neglect: This includes poor housekeeping, unhygienic living and odours from pets
Damage where the occupants of the rented property own more than three pets, whether full or part time: Total Landlord’s pet damage protection covers up to three pets
Damage where the tenant is an animal or pet breeder: Pet damage protection covers domestic or tamed animals that are owned by the tenant and kept indoors
General wear and tear to the property not attributable to domestic pets
General pet odours
Routine cleaning costs stated in the tenancy agreement
Physical or mental injury to the tenant, third parties and guests, and their property
Breaches of general policy terms and conditions
By understanding these details, landlords can make more informed decisions about the scope of their pet damage insurance and check that they are properly covered for potential risks.
Note: Total Landlord is not offering the pet damage extension to landlords who do not take a traditional security deposit or who use deposit replacement products.
