Landlords in Manchester can no longer issue blanket bans on tenants having pets
Responsible tenants with well-behaved pets will be able to secure leases more easily through the new Model Tenancy Agreement announced by the government.
Landlords will no longer be able to issue blanket bans on animals in properties – making it easier for tenants with pets to find suitable places to live.
The rule change has been published as part of the new Model Tenancy Agreement announced by the government this week (January 28) – meaning pets will be permitted in any property as part of standard rental contracts.
However, tenants will still have a legal duty to cover the cost of any damage to the property caused by their pets during the rental period.
If landlords do not wish for animals on the premises, they will need to object in writing within 28 days and provide ‘good reason’. This may be due to the property being too small and containing an impractical amount of space for animals to live.
Landlords can also charge higher deposits for tenants with pets – but the total must not breach the deposit cap introduced under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (usually five weeks’ rent) and must be protected in an authorised tenancy deposit scheme.
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According to current government data, over half of adults in the UK own a pet – but just 7% of private landlords actively advertise pet-friendly properties.
Some of the newest apartment blocks in Greater Manchester have adopted a more lenient approach to tenants having animals in recent years, including Capital & Centric’s Piccadilly East Phoenix apartments; Clipper’s Quay and Pomona Wharf in Salford, and MODA Living near Angel Gardens.
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Housing Minister Christopher Pincher said changes were made because current rules were not “right” for “a nation of animal lovers”.
The MP stated: “…only a tiny fraction of landlords advertise pet friendly properties and in some cases people have had to give up their beloved pets in order to find somewhere to live.
“Through the changes to the tenancy agreement we are making today, we are bringing an end to the unfair blanket ban on pets introduced by some landlords.
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“This strikes the right balance between helping more people find a home that’s right for them and their pet while ensuring landlords’ properties are safeguarded against inappropriate or badly behaved pet.”
You can read the Model Tenancy Agreement in full online.
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Rules around booking driving tests in UK change from today to make system ‘fairer’
Emily Sergeant
The rules around booking driving tests in the UK are officially set to change from today in a bid to make the system ‘fairer’.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has now introduced new rules for car driving test bookings, putting learners ‘firmly in control’ of their own booking, as it is now against the law for third parties – including unofficial test booking and cancellation finder services, as well as driving instructors – to make bookings for someone else.
It will also be a breach of DVSA’s terms and conditions for the booking service for third parties to change, swap, or cancel a driving test for someone else.
Learners should only ever pay the official DVSA fee – which is £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
The Government says the new rules aim to make booking driving tests ‘fairer’ for learner drivers.
While driving instructors will no longer be able to book tests on behalf of of learners, they will still be able to advise learners on when they are ready to take a test, as well as set their available times to prevent learners from booking tests at times that do not work for them.
Following on from changes to test alterations which were introduced at the end of March, from 9 June 2026, further restrictions will come into force limiting learners to moving their test only to one of the three nearest driving test centres.
The DVSA has also pledged to continue increasing driving examiner capacity to help provide more tests for learners to book.
“Our priority is to stop learners being exploited by third parties, put them in control of their driving test, and make the process fairer by clamping down on businesses that resell tests at inflated prices,” commented Beverley Warmington, who is the DVSA Chief Executive.
“These new measures help bring a halt to a system where the use of bots and third parties increases the amount some learners pay for a test and blocks test availability for many others.
“These measures will help free up appointments for genuine learners who are ready to take their test.”
Featured Image – Pxfuel
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Canal Street cordoned off after ‘suspicious chemicals’ reported at hotel
Daisy Jackson
Canal Street and several other streets in the Gay Village in Manchester have been cordoned off this afternoon.
Greater Manchester Police are attending reported of a smell that’s believed to be chemicals coming from a hotel room in the area.
There’s a huge emergency services presence in the area, including vehicles from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, and the North West Ambulance Service.
Police have confirmed that they have detained a man who is believed to have been the occupant of the hotel room.
The hotel itself has been evacuated while the material is examined.
Thankfully, no one has been injured in the incident that has shut down part of Canal Street today.
Emergency services vehicles at the scene on Canal StreetThe cordon in place on Canal Street
GMP said in a statement: “We are currently searching a hotel room at a premises on Canal Street, Manchester. This follows a report of a smell – currently believed to be chemicals – causing suspicion.
“A man, believed to be the occupant of the room, has been detained and is currently in custody.
“As a precautionary measure, the hotel has been evacuated while specialist resources examine the material and conduct further enquiries.
“No-one has been injured and we are working to establish the full circumstances. We thank people for their patience as we continue with our work.”
The Manc -
29th January 2021 
