Renting and Pets - LL and Tenant advice

CharlieRabbit01

Hi

I live in rented accommodation, my OH and I would like to get a pet however our agreement has a no pet clause, I dont have it with me but off the top of my head it said something like:

"Not to keep pets at the property including, cats, dogs, fish, birds and any other animal that may cause damage to the property, unless express permission is given by the landlord"

So apart from it seeming weird to list fish as I have no idea how they can damage a property the last line seems to offer a little bit of potential.

I intend to write to the landlord to request permission for cat and or degu is there anything that I should put into the letter to help gain permission?

Also with being in rented we cant guarantee we'll be there long term, how hard is it to move to a new place with a pet already in tow?

Every place we've rented here has had a no pet clause though this is the first to say unless we gain express permission, is it worth the risk getting a pet only to then give it up in a couple of years when we move?

pmlindyloo

A No Pets clause in a tenancy agreement is unlawful. It is expected that the LL will not unreasonably withhold consent for tenants to have pets.

See here

http://www.mydeposits.co.uk/sites/default/files/Best%20Practice%20Guide%20Landlord%20Tenants%20with%20Pets.pdf

Having said that (and having a cat myself) many LLs dislike having pets in their property because of smells/flea/damage (fish???!!!!). Often they will ask you to provide an extra deposit/have carpets cleaned professionally at the end of the tenancy/de-flea house etc
etc.

Our landlord was happy to let us have a cat and even allowed us to have a cat flap fitted in a double glazing unit (to be replaced at end of tenancy if necessary)

So, basically, ask for permission , get the answer in writing and negotiate, if needed, as regards the possible 'extras'.

To be honest, cats are not as big as a problem as dogs and then multiple pets are even more problematical. Depends on your landlord. But he/she cannot refuse without good reason.

Just as an aside, kittens can cause a lot of damage so perhaps you might want to consider an older cat?

Lagoon

I would say you'll find it much easier to move elsewhere with a degu than a cat!

I moved into a 'no pets' property. After a year, I requested a pet that wasn't free-roaming and was told that was okay. I would definitely leave it a while, and show them that you're capable of looking after the property before you ask for a pet. If you've lived there for a while already, then I don't see any harm in asking, and telling them that you'll pay for all and any damage done by your pet.

Of course, a pet is a responsibility. There ARE other pet-friendly properties, but they're not always the easiest to find. I would never take on a pet unless I was willing to make sacrifices in future to find another suitable property. I would go homeless before I gave up a pet, so in my opinion it's worth considering whether your pet is going to become a member of the family or a throwaway purchase.

aileth

I'm guessing the fish thing is in case the tank implodes and causes water damage?

Angelicdevil

Lagoon wrote: »

I would say you'll find it much easier to move elsewhere with a degu than a cat!

Unless the LL knows how filthy Degus are if not in an appropriate cage I had to get mine a really deep cage because they kick their wee and poo out all over the place.

ian103

or as in the property we are buying the ex tenant had several very large fish tanks (possibly 5no and the smallest was 3ft square and the largest was 8 or 9ft x 3ft) and they have caused significant condensation issues - we never had a problem with our fish tank but it was only 3ft x 1ft

CharlieRabbit01

pmlindyloo wrote: »

A No Pets clause in a tenancy agreement is unlawful. It is expected that the LL will not unreasonably withhold consent for tenants to have pets.
oh, well I didnt know that, thanks for the info, I have learnt over time not to completely take everything in an agreement as lawful
See here

http://www.mydeposits.co.uk/sites/default/files/Best%20Practice%20Guide%20Landlord%20Tenants%20with%20Pets.pdf

Having said that (and having a cat myself) many LLs dislike having pets in their property because of smells/flea/damage (fish???!!!!). Often they will ask you to provide an extra deposit/have carpets cleaned professionally at the end of the tenancy/de-flea house etc
etc.
umm yes fish and the last 3 places have all specifically said no fish. We had so much hassle in our last place over carpets we in tend to get them pro cleaned anyway.

I've considered offering to pay extra deposit but not sure if maybe I shouldn't lead with that

Our landlord was happy to let us have a cat and even allowed us to have a cat flap fitted in a double glazing unit (to be replaced at end of tenancy if necessary)

So, basically, ask for permission , get the answer in writing and negotiate, if needed, as regards the possible 'extras'.

To be honest, cats are not as big as a problem as dogs and then multiple pets are even more problematical. Depends on your landlord. But he/she cannot refuse without good reason.

It'll definitely be a cat or a degu, I cant bear picking up dog mess so the responsible side of me has said no dogs, it'll only be the one cat or 2 degus

Just as an aside, kittens can cause a lot of damage so perhaps you might want to consider an older cat?

my OH has had cats before and we are confident that we can manage the kitten stage, we both work but round the corner and are home at lunch for 50 minutes in the day

Thanks for the advice.

ian103

are you sure on the kitten front? we adopted two last year and we have damage to wallpaper, wood, doors, carpets, rugs - they clawed at everything.

GwylimT

My wifes rental house is no pets, she once agreed with a tenant who had been there a while to have some gerbils, upon moving out she also discovered they had three dogs, alongside the dogs the gerbils had been left in the house (one was dead) and so the animals became her responsibility, she kept one of the dogs as it was quite elderly and timid and the others went into an animal shelter, no where would take the remaining gerbils so they were put to sleep.

Not only was it a horrible situation to discover but the gerbils had obviously been given free run in one of the bedrooms as the carpet was heavily chewed and urine stained as were the floorboards and so some of those needed replacing in areas. They had even eaten some of the wall paper!

If you want a Degu it might be an idea to state the precautions you will take to ensure damage doesn't occur, e.g. keeping the cage a few inches away from the wall to prevent scratches and chew marks, no exercise outside the cage without care, e.g. handling and the use of balls etc. That you will treat the whole property to ensure there are no fleas or eggs present when vacating. If you show that you are likely to be proactive you may be more likely to gain permission.

CharlieRabbit01

Lagoon wrote: »

I would say you'll find it much easier to move elsewhere with a degu than a cat!
this was also a consideration, I want degu's OH wants cats, I'm not keen, cats and I generally don't get on, they usually hiss at me, but I've never had any experience of cats

I moved into a 'no pets' property. After a year, I requested a pet that wasn't free-roaming and was told that was okay. I would definitely leave it a while, and show them that you're capable of looking after the property before you ask for a pet. If you've lived there for a while already, then I don't see any harm in asking, and telling them that you'll pay for all and any damage done by your pet.

We've been here almost 6 months we intended to ask just after the 6 month mark, apart from a few initial problems that we got sorted when we moved in (cracked window, doors not closing, no gas earth bonding) we've not have any problems

Of course, a pet is a responsibility. There ARE other pet-friendly properties, but they're not always the easiest to find. I would never take on a pet unless I was willing to make sacrifices in future to find another suitable property. I would go homeless before I gave up a pet, so in my opinion it's worth considering whether your pet is going to become a member of the family or a throwaway purchase.

thank you.

CharlieRabbit01

aileth wrote: »

I'm guessing the fish thing is in case the tank implodes and causes water damage?

maybe, but I could trip with a bucket of water and through that all over the place.

I guess they have their reasons butt to specifically name fish seems a little odd.