The study, which delves into our relationships with our pets in flatshares, has uncovered that we really are a nation of canine lovers, with 68% of British renters opting for dogs as pets closely followed by cats (58%).
According to the figures, British flatsharers are happy to invest £484 more a year in rent to find the perfect palace for their pooch, often selecting a property that has a garden (19%) or is located near a park (7%) for their pet to have outside space to play in. In fact, it’s ‘suite dreams’ for some pets with 1 in 10 owners (9%) stating they have paid for an extra room in their flatshare for their pet to sleep in.
It’s apparent that pet ownership is an expensive business, with 17% of British renters admitting they were unprepared for the financial implications of owning a pet. The study has found that messy pups have meant that 38% of renters have forked out the cash to repair or replace damaged furniture or appliances caused by their pets, while 16% have knowingly let their housemates take the blame for damage caused by their four-legged friends.
30% of British flatsharers also tend to splash the cash on the happiness and wellness of their furry friends over themselves, with 23% spending more money on their pets rather than their partners, friends or family.
We’re unwilling to compromise on a life without our pets, with a 7% of British flatsharers secretly stashing in their pet without the permission of their landlord, while an honest 21% have arranged for a pet clause to be written into their tenancy. In fact, 77% have stated they’re happy to risk losing their deposit over a life without their pet, while 7% have been evicted after keeping a pet without the permission of their landlord.
Chloe Marienbach, UK Manager at Weroom.com, said, “The findings reveal that British flatsharers are rightly unwilling to consider a life without their beloved pet, but they’re ill-prepared for some of the financial and practical consequences of bringing a pet into a houseshare. At Weroom we know a thing or two about matching housemates and their landlords together, so we’d recommend that an up-front and honest conversation takes place with your landlord prior to the move to ensure a pet clause can be written into your tenancy. It is also important to establish early on how your fellow flatmates really feel about living with a pet to avoid any conflicts and to have a more enjoyable flatsharing experience.”
As the cost of housing in the UK continues to spiral, we know that an increasing number of people rare turning to renting as a long-term housing solution. Weroom prides itself on meeting this demand for rental housing by ensuring it matches like-minded, passionate animal lovers together to create a happy home.”
