Lets for pets: new breed of dog-friendly new homes and rentals welcome “canine communities”

Dog-friendly homes in hipster neighbourhoods offer communal gardens, exercise areas, vet appointments and dog walking facilities.
David Spittles15 May 2018

Bermondsey Street in SE1 is hardly the Rue de Rivoli, but like the fashionable Parisian boulevard famous for its poodle-loving locals, it has more than its fair share of well-heeled residents walking cute dogs with designer collars.

So much so that a new breed of dog-friendly property development is making life easier for pet owners in this hipster neighbourhood near Tower Bridge.

Whereas dogs are usually prohibited at new housing schemes, The Taper Building, a block of 56 apartments in Long Lane, welcomes a “canine community”, says Riccardo Dawson of developer Shape Real Estate.

Leases will permit dogs and though there are no kennels, there is an inner courtyard where pooches can exercise, while balconies have a “pee patch”, a fake-grass container similar to a cat’s litter tray.

The owners of Holly & Lil will be thrilled. This local accessory shop and grooming parlour has been called “the Jimmy Choo of hand-made dog collars and leads”.

Flats at The Taper Building cost from £600,000. Call 020 3553 6811.

Animals have always been a thorny issue in apartment blocks, but pet owners are a big niche market and increasingly landlords are offering “lets for pets”, especially in the booming build-to-rent sector. Corgis are obviously welcome at Castle View, a new development in Windsor.

Here, pets are allowed in ground-floor apartments, while well-behaved animals are allowed to enjoy the communal gardens and go up to the rooftop garden.

In addition, the concierge will arrange vet appointments and dog walking. Prices from £375,000. Call 01753 378127.

Pet-friendly Castle View, Windsor, where flats are priced from £375,000