Getting a puppy - What kind of compensation would be best to give to a landlord

pb43_2

I will be looking for a house to rent in the next few months and approx. a month after moving in I will be actively looking to get a puppy.

With regards to finding a prospective house/landlord, is it possible to ask/negotiate terms for being allowed a puppy/dog.

What would be the best kind of compensation? Increase in deposit? Full carpet clean at the end of the lease?

ILW

Many landlords will flatly refuse.

Werdnal

It may be very hard to find a rental that accepts pets. Please do not move in and get the puppy regardless of any non-pet clauses in the tenancy.

It is usual to offer or for the LL to ask for a larger deposit, plus insist on a full carpet clean and de-flea at the end of the tenancy. Even though you will obviously ensure your pet does not have fleas, the LL has a duty of care to ensure future tenants are not affected by any allergies to your pet. My niece is extremely allergic to cats - cannot even enter a house where one lives without developing asthma type symptoms - so if she were to move into a house where a cat previously lived, she could end up in hospital if any allergens were still present!

Winkle1908

Slightly different but I know a girl who has just moved into a rented house and she smuggled a cat in after all the landlords she spoke to refused. Someone complained (I think she is in an apartment) and the kitten has had to go back to live with family until her lease runs out. Where she will have to move again in 5 months!

I would ensure that it is clear as to your intentions, although I think you may struggle to find somewhere that a) you like and b) that will accept a dog.

As a dog owner myself, I've gone through the puppy stage and its very messy!! We had accidents for 3 months after we got the dog, and the house smells even now and he's not a big dog, or much of a malter. Things like curtains get dirty from him rubbing against them. I'd refuse if I was a landlord. I'd want carpets replacing when you moved out for a start with a like for like type.

Good luck x

shegirl

You'd stand a greater chance of success with an older dog.Puppies are messy,they like to nibble/chew things and require training.Not a pretty prospect for a landlord

DiscoCat54

I moved in to my rented accommodation with 3 dogs and due to the space and rural location I asked the LL if I could take on a 7 month old rescue puppy. He was more than happy to oblige but from my perspective it has been a big mistake. Our puppy had chewed the skirting boards, the front door frame, the knobs on the kitchen cupboards, a wall (!) and a chair belonging to the LL. He also digs numerous holes in the lawn which I have to refill on a weekly basis!

This doesn't even begin to cover the further damage to my own furniture!

He's slowly starting to grow out of it but if I was given the opportunity again to have a puppy in a rental I would definitely decline!

G_M

pb43 wrote: »

With regards to finding a prospective house/landlord, is it possible to ask/negotiate terms for being allowed a puppy/dog.

No.

Either the LL will allow pets (and will take account of this in the terms of the TA, the rent, and/or the deposit, or he won't.

Although it would be difficult/impossible to enforce a no-pet clause (if you ignored it) by eviction during the tenancy, you would be unlikely to survive beyond the original fixed term (usually 6 months).

pb43_2

I am currently studying an animal degree at university and afterwards I am planning a career with dogs, therefore I am hoping my background and experience with dogs will provide a degree of reassurance for the landlord. I am not someone who is buying a puppy on the spur of the moment, I have researched, planned and prepared for this as it is really important to me.

Is there some kind of legal document aside for the lease contract I need to confirm any verbal agreement of having a puppy and the costs of repairs/deposit etc?

ILW

pb43 wrote: »

I am currently studying an animal degree at university and afterwards I am planning a career with dogs, therefore I am hoping my background and experience with dogs will provide a degree of reassurance for the landlord. I am not someone who is buying a puppy on the spur of the moment, I have researched, planned and prepared for this as it is really important to me.

Is there some kind of legal document aside for the lease contract I need to confirm any verbal agreement of having a puppy and the costs of repairs/deposit etc?

You just need to find a landlord who is prepared to rent you a place with a dog. What terms they apply is up to them.

UnitedSum

Go on and get your pup! But please get a rescue dog as shelters are full of pets surrendered due to financial circumstances.

I have a dog and have always been able to find accommodation. You'll need to accept that you won't be in as strong a bargaining position with a dog so I'd accept that you'll need to offer a larger security deposit (possible 2 months) and make sure you restrict your search to properties that have a garden or are near a park. If you have your dog before you try to rent, offer to bring him along to meet the landlord. I was asked to do that once. Also try to find a place with laminate flooring and avoid carpet.

It might be helpful to know that eviction during the fixed term of an AST simply because you have a dog is probably unlikely to be enforceable, even if the contract says 'no pets'. Therefore, try to get a tenancy that is as long as possible (assuming you go down the route without landlord permission).

As the UK becomes a land of renters, animal shelters are struggling to cope with the numbers of pets abandoned or surrendered due to the shortage of properties where they're 'allowed'. Landlords who are animal lovers should be aware of the number of animals put to sleep when they choose to restrict tenants from having pets.

Good luck to you, and I hope you find a lovely dog!

pb43_2

I have decided to rescue a puppy from a local dog rescue organisation which houses all their dogs at foster homes. Hopefully in the future I will also be able to foster dogs as well

I hate the idea of deceiving landlords and sneaking in pets. At my current flat I even asked the landlady for permission to have a hamster before even accepting the flat.

I didnt even realise that info about eviction during the lease term, so that is good to know although I hope I will never have to consider it.

*lottery win idea - get a property portfolio that rents to pet owners*