To many people, pets are their furry children, and the idea of leaving them at home all day is borderline unbearable. This means that the opportunity to bring a fuzzy loved one into the office every day can be a huge benefit for a business to offer their employees. But what are the rules with commercial properties and pets? Similar to the residential market, it all comes down to the landlord.
In multi-let buildings it is very uncommon to be able to bring your pet to work and it may even be in breach of your lease. The reason landlords might not allow dogs is due to the potential liability they can bring to the building, not to mention the additional wear and tear. Companies are getting around this issue by having their employees sign indemnification agreements stating that they will cover any costs incurred through being sued for negligence as a result of having their dog in the office.
Eugene O’Sullivan, a chartered surveyor and director at Morgan Pryce, says: “If your lease does not give you the right to bring your pet to work then you need to discuss it with your landlord prior to doing so or you will be at risk of being in breach of your lease”.
When looking for a pet-friendly office it is best to consider self-contained options, as it is more likely to be accepted by the landlord.
This news was brought to you by Morgan Pryce, a specialist tenant acquisition agent with offices in Oxford Circus and the City. Morgan Pryce specialises in search, negotiation and project management and works exclusively for tenants.
