Know your rights to learn how to find a let with a pet with our expert’s tips

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THE Consumer Crew are here to solve your problems.

Mel Hunter will take on readers’ consumer issues, Jane Hamilton will give you the best advice for buying your dream home, and Judge Rinder will tackle your legal woes.

Jane Hamilton, property expert

Property expert Jane Hamilton shares her tips on finding a home in the country

How to find a let with a pet

FOR a nation of animal lovers, it can be hard to let with a pet.

Movebubble’s Aidan Rushby says: “Due to perceived downsides like property damage and pests, fewer rental properties accept pets, though pet owners tend to be responsible tenants looking for long-term contracts.”

Below, we outline your rights as a “pet parent” and offer some advice for those hunting a rental.

Here, we offer some advice for those hunting a rental with a pet

Know your rights: Legally, landlords can’t include a blanket “no pets” clause in contracts.

But all pets must be pre-approved at the landlord’s discretion.

They should not unreasonably withhold consent, such as for a goldfish.

Assistance dogs are a legal right under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.

Search smart: Dogs Trust site letswithpets.org.uk lists only pet-friendly properties.

Create a “pet CV” including the animal’s age, sex, breed, behaviour and an image, plus a reference from your previous landlord and your vet.

Include how long the animal spends alone in the day or who cares for it.

Be flexible: Start your search early and be prepared to move fast.

Consider offering a higher deposit to cover any damage your pet causes.

Look for pet-friendly features: Is there a park nearby?

Is it on a quiet road?

Is there a cat-flap?

Add any changes to your tenancy agreement: Your landlord should add a clause to the contract confirming the pet will not affect your rights.

TAX SAVINGS

THE Chancellor’s stamp-duty axe on homes costing less than £500,000 has seen buyer numbers surge this week – in a bid to stop cheeky sellers asking for more cash.

Almost 80 per cent of homes cost less than the half-million threshold.

And in the 30 minutes immediately following Rishi Sunak’s big announcement on Wednesday, traffic on Rightmove soared by 22 per cent.

The site’s Miles Shipside said: “We could now see people rushing to get a price agreed before some sellers put up their prices in the hope people will be able to pay more because of the tax savings.”

Judge Rinder

 Judge Rinder’s answers do not constitute legal advice and are not a substitute for obtaining independent legal advice

Q) ABOUT three years ago we helped a friend after he was made homeless.

We let him put his belongings in our garage and some of his electrical items in our house.

We now need that space back so in December I texted to ask him if he could move his stuff somewhere else.

I have also emailed several times but have never had a reply.

Can we dispose of his belongings?

Maureen, Kettering

A) It would be entirely lawful for you to dispose of your friend’s property.

When you agreed to store your friend’s stuff you became “a bailee”, which required you to take steps to take decent care of his things and to give him a reasonable opportunity to get them back when he asked.

By texting and writing to your friend and making clear that you intend to dispose of his property you have given clear legal notification.

There’s no strict timeframe for the warning but a decent rule of thumb is 14 days.

I would urge you to send a further message (by text, email and letter to his last known address) making clear one last time what you intend to do and giving him two weeks to respond.

It would be entirely lawful for you to dispose of your friend’s property