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

tbs624

UnitedSum wrote: »

Go on and get your pup!

Totally irresponsible suggestion unless you are going to be the LL whose property the OP will be renting.

But please get a rescue dog as shelters are full of pets surrendered due to financial circumstances //

and no doubt some of them are there because their owner lived in rented accommodation and they were foolish enough to follow your type of "reasoning", so getting booted out at the earliest legal opportunity.

UnitedSum wrote: »

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).

Easy way to ensure you get a poor reference from your LL It might also be helpful for you to take note of some of the discretionary Grounds for Repossession of a property

UnitedSum wrote: »

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.

Hmmm........ pet owners should be aware of the number of animals put to sleep because they have allowed their pets to breed, usually hoping to make a hefty profit out of doing so but then failing to find suitable potential owners.Employers who make their employees redundant and Govts who restrict benefit payments should also be aware - poverty leads to abandonment of pets too.

UnitedSum

Dear tbs,

Many dogs/cats find themselves in shelters after being surrendered by families in a financial plight whereby they've had to SELL and move into rental accommodation. I'm sure you read that part of my post, but it's more fun to pick out the bits you want to take issue with, isn't it?

You might think my advice to the OP to get the pup is irresponsible, but I beg to differ. She sounds as though she's thought through the pros/cons of getting a pup but is concerned by the constraint of getting landlord approval. I don't believe we should live in a society where the only people with the privilege of having a pet are those who own, and that is quickly where we're heading in the UK as a renting society.

Discretionary grounds for repossession are VERY unlikely to be granted by a judge during a fixed term to a landlord where the tenant is paying rent and otherwise no problems. Go ahead and give it a go and see how it works out for you.

jamie11

I foster dogs for an animal charity here in Spain, I currently have my 6th dog in 2 years, it's not what I would call a well behaved dog nor is it in the best of health, we're trying to change that, we have the advantage of fully tiled floors everywhere.

When I allowed somebody in UK to rent with 2 Springer Spaniels the property ended up stinking to high heaven because he would allow the dogs to jump into the local river when he walked them, eventually he and his dogs had to go. Since I rent to multiple occupants in some properties then I really had no choice.

I would not allow dogs again.

slopemaster

I am currently negotiating with prospective tenants who have 2 large dogs.
I have asked for an extra deposit (2 weeks rent on top of normal 6 weeks) and will require carpets cleaning etc. (Carpets only in bedrooms, laminate downstairs)
I am hopeful that accepting tenants with dogs will mean they stay a long time, as it is hard for them to find accommodation!
They came prepared with 'references' for the dogs etc

UnitedSum

slopemaster,

I agree. It's my experience that tenants with pets will stay put once they find a good home because, as you pointed out, finding another place can be challenging. I hope it works out for you. :-)

tbs624

UnitedSum wrote: »

. I'm sure you read that part of my post, but it's more fun to pick out the bits you want to take issue with, isn't it?

....which is what most posters do sweetheart, including you. You know, there was that part about irresponsible pet owners who allow their animals to breed, needlessly adding to the domestic animal propulation?

UnitedSum wrote: »

You might think my advice to the OP to get the pup is irresponsible, but I beg to differ. She sounds as though she's thought through the pros/cons of getting a pup but is concerned by the constraint of getting landlord approval.

...which is a pretty major constraint. Your suggestion *is* therefore irresponsible - pets who end up in shelters have obviously already lost at least one home/owner and it's so as to avoid further disruption that the majority of animal shelters seek confirmation that the LL in question has agreed to Fido living at the rental property.

UnitedSum wrote: »

I don't believe we should live in a society where the only people with the privilege of having a pet are those who own, and that is quickly where we're heading in the UK as a renting society.

D-r-a-m-a. Not all those who rent want to share their living space with dogs/cats etc and many woul d prefer not to have to move in after those who like to .

Ts should quite simply be upfront with their potential LL from the start - some LLs don't have an issue with pets & others do but most LLs and Ts prefer the other party to be truthful about their intentions from the start of the LL/T relationship.

tbs624

pb43 wrote: »

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.

Which is what responsible Ts/responsible pet owners do. OP - do talk to any potential LL about your intentions in advance of signing up for the property and get any agreement on extra cleaning/higher deposit etc confirmed in writing.

Expect the LL to be very thorough with the moving in inventory

Don't attempt to deceive - having to move on after a very short term with a less than satisfactory reference, and possibly much of your tenancy deposit retained to cover pet damage, will make your next search for a home even harder.

UnitedSum

Dear tbs,

Unless someone is a reputable breeder with knowledge of animal genetics, they aren't being responsible if they allow their pets to breed. I already mentioned I work for an animal shelter so I'm not sure what point you're trying to make here as surely you realize that these types of pet owners, as overzealous landlords, are part of the problem I'm highlighting.

And, no, your second point is only a major restraint if tenants don't know their rights, which is why I'm happily here on this forum to point them out. It's very important for pet owners to know that any term in a tenancy that unequivocally states "no pets" is considered unfair by the OFT and, therefore, quite unlikely to be enforceable as a cause of eviction during the fixed term. Any landlord who evicts after the fixed term ONLY because they're angry that an otherwise perfect tenant has a pet, is...well, not thinking with their head. What did you say...D-r-a-m-a? Precisely.

Thank you for the endearment, by the way. I do understand that you've chosen to refer to me as 'sweetheart' either because you have an affection for my principles or because my principles get under your skin.

jen_br

EEk lots of problems sneaking one under the radar I personally wouldn't do it!!

Especially a puppy - I mean think of carpets etc. I know my LL would flip if I got a dog! Be honest

UnitedSum

Puppy + carpets = mess. I would stick to laminates with any dog but most definitely with a puppy.