Renting with a pet

Ian_Griffiths_Halifax

Last week I was speaking to a client who has a property he lets out. He has tenants but he was asking me what I could suggest if he has a void period. How could he get somebody else in fast?

I asked him if he would allow pets and he said no. When I suggested that he could come to some arrangement with the tenants before they move in, that they either get the carpets all cleaned and decorate if necessary, or he could do it and deduct it from the deposit, he said he'd do that.

So long as it is clear and in writing and agreed by all parties from the start, I can't see any problem.

macaque_2

crafty*kate wrote: »

Due to a relationship break-up, it looks like I'm going to be entering the big bad world of renting by myself!

Does anyone want to share their views on renting if you have a cat? I really can't part with him, he's the only thing keeping me going at the moment. BUT, I notice a lot (most of) properties for rent all say 'no pets'.

Is this a general thing that letting agents put, or are they likely to change their mind if I ask nicely?

The cat must be looked after at all costs. In my experience of being a renter with a cat (sadly now deceased), it is harder to find rented property. However, when you do find a landlord who accepts cats, they are invariably miles better than landlords who don't accept cats. A landlord who accepts cats will hardly ever mess you around. By the same token, cat owners make the best tenants.

Ian_Griffiths_Halifax

macaque wrote: »

The cat must be looked after at all costs. In my experience of being a renter with a cat (sadly now deceased), it is harder to find rented property. However, when you do find a landlord who accepts cats, they are invariably miles better than landlords who don't accept cats. A landlord who accepts cats will hardly ever mess you around. By the same token, cat owners make the best tenants.

I'd agree with that.

jonathon

we have a cat but as our LL really doesnt care about anything eg mould,gas safety certificate a cats not going to bother him.

Tiddlywinks

I've got two cats and have rented for the past 18 months with relatively little trouble. Some of the local LAs around here have standard paragraphs in their ads which say "no smokers, pets or DSS" but when presssed they should pass on a specific request to their client so it's always worth asking anyway.

I found our second place on Rightmove - the internal photos showed a catflap in the kichen door so that was a bit of a clue . Have a look, you may see something like that too.

Both occasions I've had a "pet clause" (or should that be claws ?) in the contract where I've agreed to pay an additional £100 per puddy tat as a deposit and also to have the carpets professionally cleaned on leaving.

sdooley mentioned possibly becoming a lodger - I think this is really worth considering - A friend of mine did something similar with her cat. She moved into a multi occupancy house as a "replacement" for one of the original renters that had moved out. The housemates loved the cat and he was really spoilt.

Hope you find something soon. You are definately right to stand by your cat, he'll make you glad you did .

Tiddly

Drea

I'm renting with a cat, he is driving my insane right now actually. For some reason in this flat (I was in the same situation as you, lived with my ex before) he won't behave! It's driving me up the wall!

But yea, my flat had the usual 'no pets' but when I asked the LA said it would be okay as long as I agreed to pay for any damage he caused.

Worth asking

Ian_Griffiths_Halifax

Drea wrote: »

I'm renting with a cat, he is driving my insane right now actually. For some reason in this flat (I was in the same situation as you, lived with my ex before) he won't behave! It's driving me up the wall!

But yea, my flat had the usual 'no pets' but when I asked the LA said it would be okay as long as I agreed to pay for any damage he caused.

Worth asking

Try getting him some Catnip. That'll shut him up.

DawnW

When my house was vacant, I specifically asked the LA to advertise my house as 'children welcome, pets considered'. ie a well behaved cat or dog ok but no big aggressive dogs which would upset the neighbours. It is a large period terrace (with no damp, and with gas certificate etc, in fact with a complete new heating system, and with a garden so plenty of room for a pet). It did get rented out really quickly, to the current tenants who have a cat.
Also, my daughter has rented, with LL / LA agreement, 2 properties over the last few years, with a small dog. So there are properties out there. It is often routinely stated in adverts 'no pets DSS smokers etc - some even say 'no kids' :eek: ' but it is always worth asking.

suekjw

We've rented a 'no pets' house with our cat before now, we offered to pay to get the carpets cleaned at the end of our stay and they were fine with that.

crafty*kate

Thanks for all the good advice guys! Lots to think about...

I would consider sharing a house, but I don't know anyone to share with - apart from the ex of the girl that my bloke has gone off with...which would be a tad weird!

I am feeling a lot more positive given all your comments, I'm quite happy to offer an extra deposit/get it professionally cleaned etc. I spoke to an agent yesterday and he said although a lot of their properties do say 'no pets' this often refers more to dogs, and many landlords are happy with a cat.

Looks like I just have to ask....but first I have to find somewhere, and that's a whole different story!!