Do you let to tenants with dogs?

ognum

I have just had a call from my LA asking If I would consider a tenant with a dog.

In context, the property I am currently letting is a family home (4 beds, 2 baths). Large garden.

It is newly decorated and has new carpets!

IT is exactly the type of property if owned would have pets in it, I myself have a dog so am aware that dogs need homes!

Would you let to someone with a dog, if yes what extra deposit or conditions would you add?

The house lets at £1500 a month

Barneysmom

Most dogs don't pee/mess on the floors so I wouldn't worry.
I would make sure that the pet is insured though, just in case of an accidental damage however unlikely.

The worse thing my 2 dogs have done is chew up slippers.

kittykat100

We rent a house and we have a small dog. She is housetrained and well behaved. The landlord put a clause in the agreement that we agree to pay for professionally cleaning the carpets and paid an extra 200 pounds deposit.
I feel that if you limit yourself you could miss out on excellent tenants.

Kittyx

Flearoy

I'd be willing to consider letting to tenants with pet dogs. I've been a tenant with 2 dogs myself in the past, and in my case at least, there was not a single bit of evidence that dogs had been in the house, much less any damage, when I moved out. I did have the carpets professionally cleaned though, not that they needed it, but as courtesy to the decent landlord. At that sort of rent per month, I'd like to think your prospective tenants are unlikely to be the type to leave a filthy mess....

hazyjo

I suppose it would depend if it was a teeny tiny thing or a Great Dane! Also, is it old? Would they want to get another if it went to 'dog heaven'? Puppy? Definitely wouldn't want to let to people with a puppy, but if you say yes to dogs they probably wouldn't even think to say they'd got another. Or maybe they'll consider getting a puppy as well as the existing dog...

They can do a fair bit of damage just with scratching doors. And the hairs - if it's a short haired dog, fine. We used to have a doberman and no major moulting probs. HAd a labrador before that and OMG the hairs! My mum used to hoover all the time (she is a bit OCD with housework and hoovering at the best of times).

It's bad enough with the hair from my two cats. I suppose you'd have to factor in costs for replacing or cleaning carpets and decorating (maybe replacing wooden doors if damaged/repainting at best).

Not sure I would want to let to tenants with a dog. Might make exceptions - one dog maybe, and maybe the one dog they start off with and maybe a no puppy clause - if possible!

Jx

zaksmum

In my experience it's human tenants that make far more mess than dogs ever will.

myhouse_2

kittykat100 wrote: »

We rent a house and we have a small dog. She is housetrained and well behaved. The landlord put a clause in the agreement that we agree to pay for professionally cleaning the carpets and paid an extra 200 pounds deposit.
I feel that if you limit yourself you could miss out on excellent tenants.

Kittyx

Good advice for landlords.
I rented to people who sneaked in a dog. At the end of the least there was a lot of damage done to the property - none of it by the dog for which there was little evidence of its existence.

tbs624

Yes to dog. Slightly larger tenancy deposit and a requirement for both carpet cleaning & a flea treatment for the property to be paid for on tenant exit.

Barneysmom

Kids do more damage than dogs, I know because I've had 2 kids and had 2 dogs :cool:

missile

It's a bit like smoking in a car. Smoker does even not know it stinks.

You might not smell the dogs, but the next non pet owner tenant will. Be prepared to replace the carpets.

serious_saver

(From a tenants perspective) Yes but I would definitely ask for a higher deposit. If you say yes then the tenant will almost certainly agree to move in straight away and they'll probably be prepared to stay for a long time. Good landlords who allow pets are hard to come by.