ANIMAL lovers are being forced to hide their pets from landlords in order to secure accommodation, a new survey has found.

Research yesterday (Weds) revealed 27 per cent of renters with pets DID NOT notify their landlord they had a pet before moving.

The survey of 2,000 renters by www.AnimalFriends.co.uk found more than half of respondents owned their pet before they began living in the property and 13 per cent of renters were forced to rehome the pet to find a place to live.

Of the pets that were kept, one in ten people said they had to physically hide their pets before a visit from their landlord, for fear of serious repercussions if they were found to be living with their banned pets.

The survey results support Mintel Lifestyle's 2016 report that suggested urban living was a reason for the decrease in the number of dogs and cats in the UK, US and Australia.

In almost ten per cent of cases, the animal was eventually discovered by the landlord and tenants were met with demands such as being asked to sign a new tenancy agreement, charged a higher security deposit or increase in rent.

The average renter was charged an additional £160 in security bonds and application fees due to the animal living within the property.

Last month, the National Landlords Association warned that new Government plans to regulate the security deposit fees could force many landlords to ban pets from properties due to the increased risk of damage caused by the animal.

The survey revealed that almost one fifth of animals had caused damage to the property, with 12 per cent damaging fittings and a further six per cent ruining rented furniture.

Westley Pearson, managing director of AnimalFriends.co.uk, said: "It's important to ensure that you're able to properly look after any animals before you decide to bring one home with you and that includes making sure both you and your pet will have a place to live.

"Some dogs can live upwards of 13 years so even if you have a place to live at the moment, you need to think about what would happen should you decide to move."

The survey also found that the 30 per cent of pet-owning renters don't have any outdoor space for them to exercise.