Renting and Pets - LL and Tenant advice

CharlieRabbit01

MartynK wrote: »

I can understand both sides of the coin here, But its a pain in the rear to find a property if you already have a pet.

My partner and I where turned away from so many properties in our area because she had a pet house cat when we moved in together.

Lots of letting agents wouldn't even contact the LL on our behalf to offer an increased deposit to cover professional cleaning after moving out and any damage that cat might cause.
Although the properties didn't seem to stay on the market long here so I guess they think why bother with the extra paperwork or phone call when it'll be rented anyway

this could be a potential problem here, there are more people looking for places than there are available so it could put us at a disadvantage, we'd really love to have a pet though we both grew up with them and its sad to see that our housing situation could prevent it

In the end we had to settle with what we got which sadly isn't all that great. We're unsure what we'll do if we have to rent again.


Regarding your question though, kittens do destroy everything. Thankfully my partners cat mellowed out and only uses her scratching post and occasionally.
to protect it though you'd basically need to put cardboard up all around kitten height on the walls and doors to prevent scratching or protecting them

thank you.

CharlieRabbit01

Angelicdevil wrote: »

My house rabbit is the wallpaper munching king...little b***er! Little kitty has so far only used his scratching post to scratch.

Depends on the temperament of the animal and how well stimulated it is. I'm sure whatever you decide (if you're allowed) will be fine

Luckily we have no wallpaper, its all painted on plaster. We are definitely going to ask first if its a no then fine, we wouldn't get one without permission, unlike my OH's brother who has an 18 month old cat and a month ago got himself a rotweiler puppy without his landlord knowing.

MartynK

If you really want one and are willing to potentially spend more time hunting for a property then go for it.
don't worry that you might not find a property. There are plenty of private landlords as well that are contactable via places like gumtree who would be willing take on a pet.

Just expect it "may" take longer to find a property and you will likely pay an increased deposit.

Remember that some flats can't take a pet, even if the LL doesn't mind due to the buildings lease.

If you hunt for a property and find one you really like, you can attempt to contact the LL and offer straight up an increased deposit (mine went from 4 weeks normal to 6 with pet as a guideline) to allow a pet.

Our situation was potentially aggravated by the speed in which we needed a property (partner moving from Germany on a tight deadline) and it was around the time students were also hunting for properties so lots were getting snapped up

CharlieRabbit01

MartynK wrote: »

If you really want one and are willing to potentially spend more time hunting for a property then go for it.
don't worry that you might not find a property. There are plenty of private landlords as well that are contactable via places like gumtree who would be willing take on a pet.

Just expect it "may" take longer to find a property and you will likely pay an increased deposit.

Remember that some flats can't take a pet, even if the LL doesn't mind due to the buildings lease.

If you hunt for a property and find one you really like, you can attempt to contact the LL and offer straight up an increased deposit (mine went from 4 weeks normal to 6 with pet as a guideline) to allow a pet.

Our situation was potentially aggravated by the speed in which we needed a property (partner moving from Germany on a tight deadline) and it was around the time students were also hunting for properties so lots were getting snapped up

our flat is in what used to be 2 houses converted into a ground and 1st floor flat not sure if that would make any difference.

I generally haven't seen many places on gumtree (though I dont look very often) only shared student places (I live in a university town) and having seen some of the student digs I don't think a cat would be that bad.

NervousHomeowner

My boyfriend and I have a small dog and although we've had success finding rental properties in the past, it can be a total nightmare at times. If there is any chance you will be moving soon from your current rental property, I would wait to get a pet. It's not necessarily the landlords you have to worry about as most landlords I've spoken to have been perfectly reasonable about pets, provided you'll pay an extra deposit. The issue usually comes from Lettings Agencies who, more often than not, can't be bothered to ask the landlords and so simply say 'no' to everyone with pets - even if they know that the landlord would allow pets (I've had this happen, had to pressure them to ask the landlord who then ended up letting the property to me!)

With regards to cats, I would also suggest a slightly older cat, preferably female. Male cats (Especially young male cats) can be b*ggers for marking inside and the smell really sticks. This could then make things a nightmare for you when you come to move.
Also, as much as your OH might have experience with kittens, I'd still go for an adult cat. He might have experience with kittens but if you happen to get one who is destructive, there's nothing experience can do to save your deposit!

ETA: With a cat, also consider whether you will have to use a litter tray. If you're put off by dogs because of their waste, you might be in for a bit of a shock with a litter tray!

CharlieRabbit01

NervousHomeowner wrote: »

My boyfriend and I have a small dog and although we've had success finding rental properties in the past, it can be a total nightmare at times. If there is any chance you will be moving soon from your current rental property, I would wait to get a pet. It's not necessarily the landlords you have to worry about as most landlords I've spoken to have been perfectly reasonable about pets, provided you'll pay an extra deposit. The issue usually comes from Lettings Agencies who, more often than not, can't be bothered to ask the landlords and so simply say 'no' to everyone with pets - even if they know that the landlord would allow pets (I've had this happen, had to pressure them to ask the landlord who then ended up letting the property to me!)

We don't intend to move for a while, but you never know what is round the corner. With the demand for property here its likely they wouldnt bother

With regards to cats, I would also suggest a slightly older cat, preferably female. Male cats (Especially young male cats) can be b*ggers for marking inside and the smell really sticks. This could then make things a nightmare for you when you come to move.
Also, as much as your OH might have experience with kittens, I'd still go for an adult cat. He might have experience with kittens but if you happen to get one who is destructive, there's nothing experience can do to save your deposit!

ETA: With a cat, also consider whether you will have to use a litter tray. If you're put off by dogs because of their waste, you might be in for a bit of a shock with a litter tray!

Well OH is keen on the cat so most of the time it'll be his responsibility to deal with the litter tray, plus if I did have to do it i can use a little scoop. Its not the smell its feeling it through the bag and carrying it round till you find a bin.

CCP

I've read on here and on many other threads on this board of people having serious problems renting a place if they own animals, but I have to say I've never had any difficulties; I've only ever had to pass on one promising-looking flat as the LL wouldn't accept my pet cat. The LL of my first flat insisted I get the carpets professionally cleaned when I moved out - which I was more than happy to agree to - and my last and current places haven't even asked for that. I know I've been lucky, but you might be too, so don't think that owning an animal is necessarily going to be a huge problem if you rent.

My current LL is very pet-friendly - at least half of the flats in the block have animals of one kind or another - which is good as I'll be getting another cat in the next month or so and the adoption charity has asked for a statement from him that he is happy for me to own a pet. (I mention this as you might find you have the same requirement if you're looking to get a 'second hand' animal (as one of my colleagues insists on calling re-homed pets!)).

(Oh, and I have to confess I had to g00gle 'degu' - they're rather cute, aren't they? )

angelsmomma

As a landlord my friends laughed at me saying that if a tenant applied for my houses without owning a pet I would give them one.

I love animals and my tenanted properties have both cats and dogs, in fact I think one of them also has a gerbil or hamster as well, something in a cage anyway.

When I rented I was really sad I couldn't have a dog so make sure now that I only let to people with animals but I do know I am in the minority

CharlieRabbit01

CCP wrote: »

I've read on here and on many other threads on this board of people having serious problems renting a place if they own animals, but I have to say I've never had any difficulties; I've only ever had to pass on one promising-looking flat as the LL wouldn't accept my pet cat. The LL of my first flat insisted I get the carpets professionally cleaned when I moved out - which I was more than happy to agree to - and my last and current places haven't even asked for that. I know I've been lucky, but you might be too, so don't think that owning an animal is necessarily going to be a huge problem if you rent.

My current LL is very pet-friendly - at least half of the flats in the block have animals of one kind or another - which is good as I'll be getting another cat in the next month or so and the adoption charity has asked for a statement from him that he is happy for me to own a pet. (I mention this as you might find you have the same requirement if you're looking to get a 'second hand' animal (as one of my colleagues insists on calling re-homed pets!)).

(Oh, and I have to confess I had to g00gle 'degu' - they're rather cute, aren't they? )

Thanks do rescue centres let you have a cat in a flat? My colleague had a house plus garden worked round the corner and couldn't have a dog.

I first saw degus in pets at home I was considering gerbils again but I liked the idea of something still caged but a little bigger and as info on websites suggest something better suited to adults or older children.

isisini

I've had mixed experiences. Our first landlady wouldn't let us have a cat, even though we lived in a flat which would have been perfect for one (ground floor, garden, easy outside access, other cats in the building and nobody minded).

We eventually moved and found a landlord who was fine with it - we made sure we got agreement in writing and he already had a cat flap installed. It does limit your options though it's not impossible.

If you are renting for the short term though I would think carefully - cats do not enjoy being moved and it can be stressful for everyone. And when you're flat hunting finding another pet let is an added stress. Consider waiting until your settled somewhere?