UK Landlord Forum / Life

In the last few years I have not allowed children or pets in my rental properties due to having problems surrounding both, I am now aware that this is all to change unfortunately.

As this ruling has been in the coming for a good while now, has anyone found a work around to this that would stand up?

There are two different situations related to the thing being not allowed.

You cannot "not allow" children in your rental property. That's likely to be an unlawful discrimination in itself. You can probably get away with declining applications from people with children as long as it's not overt and not a policy of yours. But, once someone's a tenant, there's nothing you could practically do if a child joins the household. There's not really a workaround for that.

The situation with pets is different, because there is new legislation coming in May and no one knows how it will operate in practice or what the real life situation will be. But, as the legislation is specifically aimed at allowing pets where the only reason they're otherwise not allowed is the landlord's preference, I'd imagine it would be difficult to work round for some time.

Hi and thank you for your reply. 
Re the children, I didn't mean visiting children; I know I cannot do anything about that.  I didn't/don't rent out my properties to families that had children under the age of 18.  This was aimed particularly at 'young families' as I have had a few occasions where the 'young' children have crayoned on the walls; radiators etc. etc. – sounds harsh until you have to redecorate the entire house because parents can't supervise their brats!!
I try to get an 'older' tenant that has gone through the 'young family' stage which has so far worked at my discretion, so I suppose that will have not changed??
It's more the concern re 'Pets' – I have witnessed the damage first hand what dogs – cats and guinea pigs can do and the pathetic bond just doesn't cover by half the rectification costs -  put simply 'I just don't want them' – so much so I am seriously thinking of selling up if I cannot get a work around.

Do you think a 'seperate' drawn up document could work??

Quote from: NHVM on March 01, 2026, 04:45:13 PMI didn't/don't rent out my properties to families that had children under the age of 18.

So do you have a NO PROCREATION clause in your tenancy agreements?

What would you do if your tenants start renting without a child and then they begat one? Would you evict them?

Quote from: NHVM on March 01, 2026, 04:45:13 PMI am seriously thinking of selling up

Probably a good idea given your attitude.

Quote from: NHVM on March 01, 2026, 04:45:13 PMI didn't/don't rent out my properties to families that had children under the age of 18.

That's sailing close to a secondary discrimination. Don't say that out loud or write it down!

QuoteDo you think a 'seperate' drawn up document could work??

It might "work", but it won't make it legal and you couldn't enforce it. So it would depend on the tenant thinking it was legal and never questioning or challenging it.

You price these risks into your business. These things happen sometimes. You claim compensation if it does after a short time or you shrug, fix it and move on. Otherwise, yes, I'd sell up.

Quote from: HandyMan on March 01, 2026, 08:36:36 PM

Quote from: NHVM on March 01, 2026, 04:45:13 PMI didn't/don't rent out my properties to families that had children under the age of 18.

So do you have a NO PROCREATION clause in your tenancy agreements?

What would you do if your tenants start renting without a child and then they begat one? Would you evict them?


HandyMan - you plainly have not read or understood, obviously I would not and have not evicted anyone who became in the family way and no I dont have a clause stating 'No Procreation' but what I prefered was to: I try to get an 'older' tenant that has gone through the 'young family' stage which has so far worked at my discretion. Hope that makes it clearer for you.

jpkeates - I hear and understand what you say and your are right - I'm getting to old to be bothering now-a-days after sooo many years of renting and with so many legislations that have come in over the years that just seem to add to the work load I just dont know why I bother - time to enjoy me thinks