The world’s first pet referencing platform has been launched to make it less challenging for tenants with pets to find rental properties.
Despite pet ownership being at an ‘all-time high’ in history, fewer than seven per cent of UK rental properties accept tenants with pets – leaving millions at risk of being evicted or having to give their cat or dog up.
However, new risk scoring and referencing service PetsScore aims to be a ‘force for change’ in the rental market, making it easier for landlords to assess the risk of damage.
As well as building a ‘pet profile’ with information about their animal, such as microchip number, breed, vaccinations, medical treatments and training, owners can also gather references from former landlords, letting agents or even holiday hosts.
This information is then used to create a unique ‘PetsScore’, which can be shared with anyone you want to rent from and is re-calculated and updated in real-time based on new references.
Set up by tech professional and former landlord Natasha Homer-Earley after she struggled to find a property that would accept her dog Daisy, the online platform is free to use for pet owners, but charge agents a small fee or subscription to see a pet reference.
Founder Natasha told TeamDogs : “We’re at the precipice of a disaster for Britain’s pets and their owners.
“Pet ownership is at an all-time high, getting on the property ladder has never been further out of reach for millions and there is a chasm between the availability of pet-friendly rental properties and the overwhelming demand for them.
“We want to be a force for change in a market traditionally weary of tenants with pets – making it easier for landlords to assess and measure, in a few clicks, the potential risk of a would-be tenant’s cat or dog.”
The service will be applicable to short lets such as on Airbnb, as well as longer tenancies.
An insurance element, which will enable tenants whose pets don't score as well to be insured against damage, is also expected to be added to the platform.
