Renting / Pets / Fishtank

chewmylegoff

I'm moving in with my girlfriend - she has a 4ft fish tank with a terrapin in it. Would you bother telling a landlord about this before moving in?

We've had an offer accepted and put down a holding deposit. I didn't even think about the fishtank at the time. Is it best to get it out in the open now? If the AST has no "no pets" clause should I just not mention it.

lil_me

IF you're not honest you could be breaching your contract. If there is a NO PETS it usually means that but you can ask the landlord for permission. It is never worth being dishonest. A friend of mine tried this, moved the goldfish tank in and was spotted by a neighbour, friend of the landlord, she had to find a new home for the fish. I think the landlord only lost his temper with this as she was dishonest, I don't think he'd have had an issue with it if she'd asked. Landlords may be concerned over damp or spillages, but you're more likely to get an ok for something in a tank compared to cats/dogs

Chris2685

All the properties I have enquired about have asked if we had pets, and when I said we had fish they said it is no problem. I am sure they won't mind a fish tank, it's no more dangerous than having a bath filled up really... Plus you would be liable if it caused some water damage, so I can't see it being a problem.

Gorgeous_George

The Office of Fair Trading consider 'No pets' to be an unfair term. That doesn't make it an illegal term - not even an unfair term, it is just the OFT's view.

When you agree to an AST with a 'No pets' clause it would be polite to ask the LL's permission if you already have a pet. However, I would move in first then ask. Worst case is he will say no but I think any reasonable LL would accept a terrapin.

What does the terrapin think?

GG

chewmylegoff

Gorgeous_George wrote: »

The Office of Fair Trading consider 'No pets' to be an unfair term. That doesn't make it an illegal term - not even an unfair term, it is just the OFT's view.

When you agree to an AST with a 'No pets' clause it would be polite to ask the LL if you already have a pet. However, I would move in first then ask. Worst case is he will say no but I think any reasonable LL would accept a terrapin.

What does the terrapin think?

GG

the terrapin is a half-wit incapable of thought. it doesn't even know it's supposed to eat fish. the guppies we bought for him to eat died of old age.

Gorgeous_George

Be careful what you say!

After all, he is only a couple of letters away from being a terra-rist...

... and he's already got a tank.

As for not eating fish - maybe he's a vegeterrapin.

GG