Renting with pets

GaryMaguire

We are looking into new rented accommodation but thinking about getting a dog in the future. Most places do not accept pets. If we rented somewhere and didn't let on that we had a pet what is the worst that can be done if it was found out?

regards

Gary

Humphrey10

They might be OK with a pet if you offer an increased deposit to cover the cost of the extra cleaning required when you move out, especially if it is an unfurnished place.

gamez-over

Hi Gary,

If you are found to have a pet at some point down the line through your tenancy term, you could be held as being in breach of your contract. It is always better to open and honest with your agent/landlord as they could certainly accommodate by accepting an increased security deposit to cover any possible damage that could be done by your pet.

GaryMaguire

Ok Looks like i should be asking the question. I did read somewhere that having no pets in the contract is not worth the paper its written on. is this correct?

taxsaver

No, it's that a TOTAL exclusion of pets would be considered as unenforceable a that would, for example, prevent having a single goldfish in a bowl. A clause requiring LL consent, which would not be 'unreasonably' withheld would likely be fine. Some pets, puppies are an example, can be very destructive and it is not unreasonable for a LL to wish to know and protect his property, possibly with an increased deposit and agreement to meet fair cleaning professional costs.

cyp2011

We seeked rented housing and found some will except pets if you ask even if advertised as no pets ,just ask as some it is possible
We found it very hard but found 1 which would except our 3 dogs ,1 cat and a fish pond but we did have to pay a extra £300 per pet on the deposit ,luckily they did not charge for the fish :rotfl:

theartfullodger

The worst that can happen??

- Damage, loss of deposit, sued for excess costs through small-claims court & get CCJ..
- Served with notice and loss of your home (even if pooch is perfect...). You end up on park-bench with dog-on-a-string.
- No reference or a reference mentioning your dishonesty/lack of decency..
- The knowledge that you will have been deceiving landlord, so your suspicion that what-goes-around-comes-around and everyone else will think - and act - on the basis that it's OK to deceive you & your pooch...
- Noise order from local council..
- Pooch turns out to be a monster & savages you/your grandchildren..
- etc etc etc


Cheers!


Artful

prudryden

Worst thing that could happen? Your dog gets poisoned!! Happened to my Dad.

sunshineband

we rent with two cats but we got permisssion before hand and so the landlords know this and we have signed an additional clause saying that we are responsible for the damage. We were honest because if they do an inspection its kind of hard to hide them!

Kelzabells

I have a friend who has a dog and three cats and who is in rented accommodation. She managed to get a nice house in a good area a couple of years ago, but now her landlord has told them he is coming back so they had 2 months to find something else - which has proved an impossibility. When they mention the pets they don't even get to view anywhere. Rentals are being taken up within a day or so of going on the rental market, and there's normally a battle between 3/4 people. Landlords (where I live), can literally choose who they want - taking a pick of the bunch.

My friends now have to go and move in with a close family member with their pets and 2 children. It's been an absolute nightmare for them. Just because one landlord took the pets, if you have to move out it can be very difficult to find somewhere else. Its tough but my advice would be, don't get pets if you are privately renting or you could end up in the same position and literally have no-where to go.

Soniclord

GaryMaguire wrote: »

We are looking into new rented accommodation but thinking about getting a dog in the future. Most places do not accept pets. If we rented somewhere and didn't let on that we had a pet what is the worst that can be done if it was found out?

Firstly if someone says they DON'T accept pets then respect their wishes! Secondly the reason most places don't accept pets is because of the high probability of an infestation such as fleas (the main one) amongst others and then they would have to pay (or make you pay) for an exterminator etc.

But the bottom line is this, if it says NO pets then it's NO PETS.. It's that simple, why keep it from the landlord or agent? If the ruling is NO pets then that's it.

You saying "If we didn't let on we had a pet" is IMO out of order because they will find out and then you'll be out on your ear!