Recording Smells, Stains and Scratches: What Counts as 'Pet Damage' in 2025?

Pets are part of the family, but when it comes to renting, they bring unique challenges.

In 2025, letting agents and landlords need to be more specific than ever about what counts as pet damage. With recent updates to UK regulations on pet-friendly tenancies and changes in how damages are recorded, it's important to be clear, fair and accurate.

This article demystifies what constitutes pet damage, how it is identified and documented, and why documentation is important.

What Is Considered Pet Damage?

Pet damage is any degradation of a rental unit that can be directly traced to a tenant's pet. Normal wear and tear is different from damage. The difference is crucial when it comes to deposit differences and property condition reports.

As of 2025, the following usually amount to pet damage:

●      Recurring odours: Especially from urine that penetrates carpets, underlay or floorboards.

●      Visible stains: From accidents or tracked-in dirt that cannot be washed away easily.

●      Scratched or chewed fittings: On doors, skirting boards, furniture or floors.

●      Garden damage: Holes, churned-up lawns or chewed fences.

●      Excessive hair build-up: If it results in hygiene or allergy issues, especially in furnished rentals.

Record-keeping is instrumental in establishing whether such problems were pre-existing or created during the tenancy.

Why the Definition Counts Even More in 2025?

With the renewed effort by the UK government to open renting to those with pets, landlords are now required to welcome animals unless they have a good reason not to. Which means the hurdle is greater for recording problems correctly.

Letting agents dealing with more than one property require clear procedures within their system. The aim is to avoid conflict, aid honest claims and make it clear where everyone stands. Uncertainty breeds conflict. A well-organised inventory will resolve most disputes before they start.

Accurate Recording of Pet Damage

A thorough inventory is the cornerstone of property condition reporting. In 2025, letting agents are looking to digital tools to do it quickly.

With a free inventory app, it is simpler to document evidence in the field. Photos, timestamped notes and side-by-side comparisons with the check-in report provide a clean timeline. If there is a carpet stain later in the tenancy, it's simple to track it against the initial record.

Check-out inspections must be similarly detailed. Odours are personal but can still be documented if agents identify their source and extent. For example, "strong ammonia-like smell in rear bedroom carpet, consistent with urine from pet."

Scratches to wooden floors should be described with accurate location and dimensions. Compare it to photos taken at check-in. Was the area damaged before? Are there new markings? These things count.

Dictating on-the-job Observations

Time is of the essence when you're checking 30 properties within a week. That's where dictation software can come in handy. Agents no longer need to halt typing notes but can actually dictate into their device and record findings directly. This minimises lost details, keeps one's hands free and makes report writing easier later on.

It also enables agents to record tone, warnings or uncertainty. For instance, "faint smell of urine present, but no stain observed. Suggest future cleaning or follow-up inspection."

Through the use of high-quality images, combined with verbal commentary, agents are able to create a far more complete and defendable record.

Special Cases:

●      Furnished vs Unfurnished

Pet damage to furnished homes tends to involve greater financial risk. The upholstered furniture is more prone to odour absorption or scratching. Letting agents need to be particularly diligent when checking beds, sofas and curtains.

In an unfurnished property, it's all about floors, doors and gardens. But don't forget built-in elements such as kitchen units or wardrobes, which pets can chew or scratch as well.

What Tenants Need to Know

It assists in informing tenants in advance. If they know what is considered damage, they are more likely to avoid it.

Clear succinct language in agreements works wonders. So does sharing a copy of the initial inventory with tenants. Clarity can cut down on end-of-tenancy shocks and make check-out easier.

Pet owners must also be aware of how smells are stored. Odour damage is not all about stench. It can render a property uninhabitable or cost a fortune to clean. Pet deodorising treatments must be professionally executed and recorded.

Preventing Pet Damage

Prevention is always better than a cure. Landlords and agents can:

●      Request pet references from past landlords

●      Have clauses regarding pet hygiene and care included

●      Suggest or insist on professional cleaning at the end of tenancy

●      Advise the use of rugs or furniture covers

These measures will not prevent damage completely, but they facilitate a sense of shared responsibility.

Legal Support for Claims

On the occurrence of disputes, deposit schemes need strong evidence. A properly detailed check-in and check-out report, backed by photographs and timed comments, is the best.

Letting agents need to make digital copies of all reports. That way, even if a tenant disputes a damage claim several months down the line, the agent can reply with confidence with the facts.

Odours need careful description. Vague complaints such as "bad smell" won't cut it. Be specific: where, when, how pungent, and what you think caused it.

Last Thoughts

Pet damage in 2025 is a sensitive topic, but it doesn't have to result in disagreement. Letting agents and landlords who use digital stock management tools and clever note-taking techniques are more able to record issues impartially.

Accurate recording of scratches, stains and odours keeps everyone safe. It treats tenants with fairness, keeps landlords from unnecessary expense and allows agents to manage multiple properties without being swamped with admin.

The greatest defence is an accurate, thorough inventory - one that speaks about the property from day one to handover. Pets are here to stay. The intelligent route is to record responsibly, manage expectations and utilise all the tools at hand to make it easier for everyone.