Lets With Pets

[David Guiza]

Wasn't sure whether this had been discussed or not on here, or even if anybody has any thoughts or opinions, but over the past few months myself and girlfriend have been trying to persuade our landlords to allow us to have some kind of animal companion, to no avail. This is hugely common throughout the UK and in fact it's very rare to find a letting that allows pets; though something ridiculous like 46% of renters own a pet.

I of course can see the arguments from the landlords' point of view also. It is their property at the end of the day and they are ultimately liable for any damages etc to the property along with disturbances and any other issues that coincide with them.

However, many couples and young adults are effectively facing the choice between a roof over their heads or a dog/cat/rabbit etc, which is somewhat ridiculous. I think it wouldn't be difficult to achieve a happy medium whereby additional clauses are inserted into the tenancy agreement making the tenant liable for any damages caused, or a complete loss of deposit.  

So, if you were, or indeed are, a landlord/lady would you allow your tenants to keep pets?

[Finnegan]

I'd let them have a pet on the condition they had proper insurance for my furniture if it was furnished and it was in their tenancy agreement that they were responsible for any damages.

[Julian Joachim Jr Shabadoo]

I'd let them have a pet on the condition they had proper insurance for my furniture if it was furnished and it was in their tenancy agreement that they were responsible for any damages.

 

 

Same, although I'm guessing that landlords are generally reluctant as the extra hassle isn't worth it as in today's climate the chances are there'll be tenants available who don't want pets

 

Just do what my friend did - hide the pets during any inspections. He wasn't allowed them but had a terrapin, budgies, a cat - whenever he knew the landlord was coming he'd just stick them in the garage and spray a can of Oust around the house, never got found out!

[Finnegan]

Same, although I'm guessing that landlords are generally reluctant as the extra hassle isn't worth it as in today's climate the chances are there'll be tenants available who don't want pets

Just do what my friend did - hide the pets during any inspections. He wasn't allowed them but had a terrapin, budgies, a cat - whenever he knew the landlord was coming he'd just stick them in the garage and spray a can of Oust around the house, never got found out!

Bit difficult when the missus wants either a sibe or GSD.

[DennisNedry]

I can understand why they wouldn't allow you to have a pet, especially a dog or a cat.

 

The landlord wants their property to be as valuable and desirable for new tenants as possible. Well unfortunately having had a pet in there reduces that. When me and my girlfriend were looking we discounted any properties that had had animals because I'm allergic and the allergens last for months and the only way to get rid completely is to gut the place, especially all of the carpets etc.  Can't stand the smell either!

[ousefox]

My mum owns a few and there is no point allowing pets when there are plenty of people who will take them without pets. If the lets are quite short, it can put off future renters too. I suppose it just makes very little sense.

 

However, many couples and young adults are effectively facing the choice between a roof over their heads or a dog/cat/rabbit etc, which is somewhat ridiculous. 

tough choice that one.

[David Guiza]

My mum owns a few and there is no point allowing pets when there are plenty of people who will take them without pets. If the lets are quite short, it can put off future renters too. I suppose it just makes very little sense.

 

tough choice that one.

Well obviously you're going to choose the roof over the head, that's obviously not what I was suggesting. The point is that because of the amount of properties that do not allow dogs and cats especially the rescue centres are filling up and many are being put down because they can't be rehomed. I don't know why you'd be put off just because, for example. there used to be a dog in the property. Would you not buy a house if the seller owned dogs and cats, provided of course that the house was in fit state?  

 

As above have mentioned we have considered just having a cat or whatever anyway, but the risk of getting caught and served notice etc is a little too much for the sake of the cat. We get on really well with them both too, though one reason they stated against us having an animal was the size of the property when they own a giant labradoodle on a narrow boat.

 

Incidentally, though it is somewhat up for debate, the Allotments Act 1950 allows tenants to keep chickens and or rabbits provided they don't cause a nuisance or used for business purposes. The reason being that the subsection refers to 'any land' and not just an allotment. But heyho, just a nerdy bit of law crap.   

[ousefox]

Well obviously you're going to choose the roof over the head, that's obviously not what I was suggesting. The point is that because of the amount of properties that do not allow dogs and cats especially the rescue centres are filling up and many are being put down because they can't be rehomed. I don't know why you'd be put off just because, for example. there used to be a dog in the property. Would you not buy a house if the seller owned dogs and cats, provided of course that the house was in fit state?  

 

As above have mentioned we have considered just having a cat or whatever anyway, but the risk of getting caught and served notice etc is a little too much for the sake of the cat. We get on really well with them both too, though one reason they stated against us having an animal was the size of the property when they own a giant labradoodle on a narrow boat.

 

Incidentally, though it is somewhat up for debate, the Allotments Act 1950 allows tenants to keep chickens and or rabbits provided they don't cause a nuisance or used for business purposes. The reason being that the subsection refers to 'any land' and not just an allotment. But heyho, just a nerdy bit of law crap.   

I think it's pretty obvious why landlords who are having to let a house fairly regularly and show people around wouldn't want pets in the house. As seen above, some people are allergic and it can immediately put somebody off. Landlords want to let the house as soon as they possibly can and won't risk putting anybody off. 

 

I can understand why it may be a little frustrating but I guess it's something renters just have to put up with

[AyewJoking]

Same, although I'm guessing that landlords are generally reluctant as the extra hassle isn't worth it as in today's climate the chances are there'll be tenants available who don't want pets

 

Just do what my friend did - hide the pets during any inspections. He wasn't allowed them but had a terrapin, budgies, a cat - whenever he knew the landlord was coming he'd just stick them in the garage and spray a can of Oust around the house, never got found out!

 

but fell behind on the rent due to overspending on supplies of Oust and now lives with his budgies in the trees at Vicky park.

[Julian Joachim Jr Shabadoo]

but fell behind on the rent due to overspending on supplies of Oust and now lives with his budgies in the trees at Vicky park.

 

 

Haha something along those lines - no his landlord only came round about twice in the 2 or 3 years he lived there

[AoWW]

I've rented for many years now and have had a cat during that time. I've always been up front with landlords and have had 4 rental properties during that time - all have been ok with me having a pet and only one or 2 places that I've looked at when I've been moving have had a strict 'no pets' policy that they wouldn't budge on - perhaps it's different as I'm not in a city.

 

I've always offered, up front, to pay an additional deposit that would cover any damages and have also offered to have the property deep-cleaned when I left (only one landlord has actually asked me to do this). I think sometimes it depends how you approach it and, perhaps too, what your references are like - I've always made a point of saying to prospective landlords that they can ask past landlords / letting agents whether the pet has caused any problems. I think if you're open, honest, and offer to pay if there are any problems then landlords are reassured that you've considered potential problems and are responsible.

 

That said, the properties I've rented have been (relatively) high value and in an area where the rental market is fairly stagnant - most homeowners would rather have a tenant (albeit with a pet) than have an empty property that's not earning them anything - I can see this might not be the case in an area where landlords have prospective tenants forming a queue at the door!

[AyewJoking]

what kind of animal is a DSS?

 

ive yet to find a landlord that lets you have one of them.

[Samilktray]

Slightly off topic but me and my girlfriend have recently moved into a rented property. We've spoken to our estate agents who we deal with as the actual landlord leaves everything to them. I asked about decorating and putting shelves up and they said absolutely fine just detail what you're doing and where in an email. Having read our contract it says no decorating or drilling holes into walls. Bit confused, so can anyone shed any light on what to do?

[stix]

Just get written confirmation from the agent that they have ok'd everything you have asked to do and file it. That should be enough evidence.

I think generally, and I use this term fairly loosely, unless you're knocking walls down or block paving the back garden, landlords understand that what you're asking to do will only improve their property.

[Len Finsbury]

I understand why landlords don't want pets, sure. Although it's not for us or the tenant to 'understand. It's their house, you play by their rules.

 

If having pets is so important to you, buy your own place and you can fill it with as many animals as you like!

[AyewJoking]

whats the point of living if you cant get a little pussy?

[MPH]

Wasn't sure whether this had been discussed or not on here, or even if anybody has any thoughts or opinions, but over the past few months myself and girlfriend have been trying to persuade our landlords to allow us to have some kind of animal companion, to no avail. This is hugely common throughout the UK and in fact it's very rare to find a letting that allows pets; though something ridiculous like 46% of renters own a pet.

I of course can see the arguments from the landlords' point of view also. It is their property at the end of the day and they are ultimately liable for any damages etc to the property along with disturbances and any other issues that coincide with them.

However, many couples and young adults are effectively facing the choice between a roof over their heads or a dog/cat/rabbit etc, which is somewhat ridiculous. I think it wouldn't be difficult to achieve a happy medium whereby additional clauses are inserted into the tenancy agreement making the tenant liable for any damages caused, or a complete loss of deposit.  

So, if you were, or indeed are, a landlord/lady would you allow your tenants to keep pets?

 

 

We had pets when we were renting - we were allowed to keep cats on the following conditions:

 

 

1. Yearly fumigation ( we got the council to do it for free )

2.they kept flea collars on

3. Monthly flea powder application

 

 

We already had our own furniture, so nothing else mattered.

[MPH]

Slightly off topic but me and my girlfriend have recently moved into a rented property. We've spoken to our estate agents who we deal with as the actual landlord leaves everything to them. I asked about decorating and putting shelves up and they said absolutely fine just detail what you're doing and where in an email. Having read our contract it says no decorating or drilling holes into walls. Bit confused, so can anyone shed any light on what to do?

 

 

 

i guess if they dont like your shoddy work they can then quote the contract and get you to pay for it to be corrected.

[MPH]

whats the point of living if you cant get a little pussy?

 

 

  

Some people like it doggy style.