Pets considered?

kazire

So I know this subject can divide people but I do want both sides of the picture.

So I have rented my home for 1year I did not renew tenancy as the tenants wanted to have a dog at the property (apparently the brother was going overseas and they would be left with dog) I stated I did not want dog at property they were aware of this when taking out the contract so they gave there notice.

Now fast forward 2 months
The tenants have left and The house has now been repaired and cleaned up (the house was left discusting) it was very clear they had a dog at the property hair all over carpets bites in the banister deep holes and dog toys left in the overgrown garden.

So my question is now I am 2 Months down the line with one non paying prospective tenant dropped due to the references should I consider having pets at the property?

My thinking of this is that I had no comeback from the tenants having a dog and smoking in the property apart from taking there deposit which didn't cover the damage. So should I allow pets and just take the right deposit?

Thanks in advance

_Andy_

Depends on the dog and owner. I own two greyhounds and they don't shed much, never chew stuff, they basically just sleep. Plus I'm around all day to supervise.

Whereas if you had a tenant with a young dog and they're not home much you risk chew damage etc.

kazire

Yeah that's the thing andy I knew my tenants were a young family and i didnt know they got a puppy which messed the house up but I didn't know they had it so didn't get a pet protection deposit

ognum

kazire wrote: »

So I know this subject can divide people but I do want both sides of the picture.

So I have rented my home for 1year I did not renew tenancy as the tenants wanted to have a dog at the property (apparently the brother was going overseas and they would be left with dog) I stated I did not want dog at property they were aware of this when taking out the contract so they gave there notice.

Now fast forward 2 months
The tenants have left and The house has now been repaired and cleaned up (the house was left discusting) it was very clear they had a dog at the property hair all over carpets bites in the banister deep holes and dog toys left in the overgrown garden.

So my question is now I am 2 Months down the line with one non paying prospective tenant dropped due to the references should I consider having pets at the property?

My thinking of this is that I had no comeback from the tenants having a dog and smoking in the property apart from taking there deposit which didn't cover the damage. So should I allow pets and just take the right deposit?

Thanks in advance

It always worrys me when a landlord describes the property they let as their home, being a landlord is a buisness and your thoughts on your let property as your home can alter your buisness head!

It appears you have not been too successful in letting the property second time around. Have you worked out the type of tenant you are aiming at?

If this is a flat I would certainly say no dogs out of respect to other tenants if it was a ground floor flat I would consider cats.

If this is a family home you may get a longer term tenant if you let to people with animals. many people find it hard to get tenancy do they may stay longer. is the garden dog safe?

I would worry more about the tenants than the animals, if the tenants have good jobs, reference and credit check well and have animals I would ask to meet the animal discuss who would look after it in the day and get a bigger deposit and complete carpet clean written into the contract, most reasonable pet owners expect this.

DaftyDuck

I have one house that I allow pets in. Indeed, I am openly advertising it as "pets welcome". The carpets are cheap, and are not as clean as they could be. The interior decor is... not perfect. The furniture is second-hand, and was pretty beaten up when I got it. It's worse now. However, I openly welcome people who have cats and dogs (it's well away from a main road, has a walled garden, and walks galore from the front door).

I discuss the check-in inventory carefully with any new arrival and (it's written down), so long as working furniture is left, I don't care about its source, quality or durability.

{I have a second nearby property that I rent primarily to academics. It's well-furnished, quality carpet, regularly redecorated, updated, smartened between tenants. Pets are not allowed}

I find the tenants in the dog-house {:D } invariably helpful and friendly, they let me know they've broken and replaced something, and there's rarely any problem at change-over. It causes me few headaches, partly because I assume it will be semi-demolished each time I see it, and I'm astounded that it is as intact as it is. The tenants invariably find the next tenant, so there are few voids.

I often find the academics have "fixed" something they've broken, and not informed me. Table legs have been glued (probably with paper paste), shower rails "fixed" with a bag tie, that kind of thing. Oh, and stains on carpets hidden by a moved rug. Invariably, at change-over I find damage, evidence of pets, and feel peed off and stressed.

I make similar amounts on the two properties. Slightly more on the dog-house, as tenants with animals seem quite willing to pay a premium to go somewhere where they are welcome.

So, if the structure of the house is suitable, a slightly less laissez-faire "pets welcome" might well work for you.

kazire

Thanks ognum I call it my home, maybe I shouldn't but I am aware it is a bussiness and i do think of it as that hence y I am looking into the best ways to rent it out quickly and keeps reasonable tenant in the property, I do use an agent as I'm not that confident with the legal stuff.

It is a 3 bed house with reasonable front and back garden
So am I able to reqest to meet the pets?

NervousHomeowner

From the POV of someone who has rented with a dog, we have always paid a higher deposit and given details of our dog to the landlord beforehand. We personally put together a little 'Pet CV' for our dog with some nice photos of her & a list of her good points & how big she is. We also once had to provide a letter from our vet that she had been checked for fleas & de-flead (The property had previously been home to two cats & had to be fumigated for fleas twice before they could rent it again)

I think requesting something like a CV or asking to meet the dog would be more than fair and in my experience, anyone who is renting with pets is willing to go out of their way to secure a property as it is very difficult to find somewhere that will accept pets, especially dogs.

If you're worried about dog fur & doggy smells you could also state that the carpets & curtains have to be professionally cleaned & a receipt provided as proof

kazire

I have just spoke with my letting agent and she said on the normal 1 months deposit I can ask for extra 200 if tenant having a pet is this right I thought it should be around 2 weeks extra x

ladymagpie

I just wanted to say that my friend recently struggled, and I mean really struggled, to find somewhere that accepted pets even though she was more than willing to give a positive reference from her previous landlord (regarding previous inspections) and pay a higher deposit. She had lived in one house for several years however was served her notice, and with the limited time period had to settle for something less. I think its a shame that not many more properties are available that accept pets so please go for it!

_Andy_

I paid £250 extra deposit (two dogs) plus written into contract will have carpets professionaly done when I move out.

N1AK

kazire wrote: »

I have just spoke with my letting agent and she said on the normal 1 months deposit I can ask for extra 200 if tenant having a pet is this right I thought it should be around 2 weeks extra x

Afaik you can ask for whatever you like the only risk is that it'll put tenants off. Personally I would £200 should be enough of a premium, but clearly if your property is of considerably higher value then a larger 'premium' should be fine.