tenant insurance for pets

Insomniac666

Hi there,

I've been pointed here to ask this question, a potential landlord wants me to get some sort of cover for my dogs before he'd accept my offer to rent his property as he's afraid of damage to house rom my dogs.

Ithought he meant "business" but they're house-trained, it's more to do with the wooden floor being scratched.

any ideas if there's such insurance policies arounsd that would cover things like this?

Gwhiz

Never heard of anything like this. TBH it's irrelevant what the dog does as it's all YOUR damage at the end of the day. I rent with my dog btw.

MrsTinks

Never heard of it either - I've rented with pets and as said - it's YOUR damage no matter who or what causes it Some landlords feel happier with a larger deposit if you have pets as a security. I've had a 50% higher deposit before when renting with pets - I always get the full deposit back (or did - haven't rented for a while!)

Insomniac666

Well I did offer to to write into my contract money to be takenfrom deposit in the event of any damage... but letting agent said as flooring cost £4k deposit wouldn't cover it... so i'm at a loss. I asked what if I had young children as they would have more a chance to damage it then dogs walking around with their paws.. and they're only little shi-tzu's.. I was told he wouldn't want to rent to families with young children.. yet it's a 4 bedroom house...? it's just like he's putting obstacles infront of himself

mlz1413

Try a small local insurance shop and ask if they will do a policy to cover you. Not sure of cost but you only need £4000 of cover.

Or put the ball back with the LL and tell him to get an policy to imdemnify himself against you and to charge you the premium.

He real does sound like he doesn't want to actually rent the house.

Fire_Fox

Scratching the floor might come under accidental damage on your contents insurance, tho not sure how you would claim against a floor that doesn't actually belong to you. Good pet health insurance policies include cover against your dog injuring someone else, might include your dog damaging others property? Try AXA and PetPlan they are by far the best.

Millerdog

If you move in I assume that you would be insuring your own contents and personal possessions. Contents policies cover you for personal liability. If your dogs damaged the floor the landlord would have to prove that you were personally liable. If he does you would be covered under your Insurance. ..I would have thought ! Other posters here may know if this is the case.

Insomniac666

It's a bit of a minefield? I going to feel really stupid asking on the phone. I agree it feels like he doesn't want to rent... and he's still got 2 cars in the garage. he's trying to sell.

G_M

If he's trying to sell, do you really want to live there? How long for?

CFC

http://www.petpalsdirect.co.uk/tenantcare-dog.asp

Not sure if there is anyone else in the market.

Fire_Fox

Does this landlord even have consent to lease? I wouldn't be jumping through hoops for someone who wanted to sell, you might have strangers traipsing though your home and only a short let. How can he charge you for a damaged floor if he isn't taking back residency? AFAIK if a landlord claims through the deposit scheme for any damage, he needs proof you caused the damge, quotes for repair AND to actually get the damage fixed.

Embarassment is a rubbish reason for not wanting to sort this out, pets and children mean you need to have no shame. Conversations about poo and wee become commonplace.