A small dog with a tenancy which does not allow pets

Matthew402007

Hi everyone

My partner has just been given a little Chihuahua by her sister, and it seems I have come quite attached to him!

I rent my home and my partner has moved in with me and she now does not want to give this puppy up.

Its so small that it does not need walks, so no one would see it coming in and out of the house.

Can the landlord kick us out if he finds out? The estate agent have told us were not allowed pets in the house already.

Do we have to move out?

Thanks

timbo58

Talk to the landlord directly 1st. if you are valued tenants then he/she may well allow you one small house trained animal.
Usually landlords don't like pets as it's difficult to allow one persons small well behaved cat/dog without getting people with not so 'house safe' animals.

Sagz_2

Lots of useful info here: http://www.letswithpets.org.uk/

Matthew402007

We dont have access to the landlord as we went through an agent. And the estate agents have said were not allowed a pet.

Thanks

G_M

No you can't be kicked out, but you are, presumably, in breach of your tenancy agreement.

Many LLs put a 'no dogs' clause in, for very good reasons. The obvious ones are :
* smell. Dog-owners never notice it, but others do. Including the next tenants!
* noise. It may be small, but does it yap? And disturb the neighbours?
* Dirt. Esp if it is not going out for walks.....
* fleas. Yes, yes, I know. Your dog does not have fleas, is treated etc etc, but the LL cannot be sure of that. Personally, if I had a tenant with a dog move out, I would treat the flat fo fleas before re-letting. The last thing I want is the next tenants complaining of fleas within a week of moving in. And tthat costs money.

Not all LLs take this approach. Some are happy about pets. But some mutual respect is due in a LL/tenant relationship. LL's should leave tenants in peace to live in their home and should trust them. Tenants should abide by the terms/criteria they agreed to.

G_M

Matthew402007 wrote: »

We dont have access to the landlord as we went through an agent. And the estate agents have said were not allowed a pet.

Thanks

Of course you do. The LL's name should be on the tenancy agreement.

And there should be an address on the TA "for the serving of notices" on the LL (though this may be c/o the agent ( Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 )

Or you can write to the agent and ask for the LL's actual address, and they have 21 days to comply. Landlord & Tenant Act 1985

Owain_Moneysaver

It doesn't matter what the agent says, it's what's written in your tenancy agreement that matters.

And blanket bans on keeping pets are likely to be an unfair contract term and unenforceable.

However your partner moving in may be contrary to the tenancy and that is enforceable.

Flibsey

G_M wrote: »

Of course you do. The LL's name should be on the tenancy agreement.

And there should be an address on the TA "for the serving of notices" on the LL (though this may be c/o the agent ( Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 )

Or you can write to the agent and ask for the LL's actual address, and they have 21 days to comply. Landlord & Tenant Act 1985

good luck with that. 3 months later and we still don't have direct contact.

personally I'd send a letter via the agents to ask about a dog.

Werdnal

Also remember that even though LL cannot just chuck you out for having the dog, he may serve notice at the earliest opportunity to start eviction proceedings. If you want to continue living there long-term, you may be jeopardising this by taking on the dog, or even allowing your partner to move in, if the LL takes exception to either ... or both!

BristolBob

Matthew402007 wrote: »

And the estate agents have said were not allowed a pet.
Thanks

Then you likely have your answer. Your little dog is not welcome.

Soot2006

.... Does not need walks???????

Even a small chihuahua needs to have a run and play every day. It's not fair on the dog to have to be hidden away forever.