Pets and Tenancy Agreement

jangor_2

The completion date on my house is next Thursday. My buyers have agreed to rent me my house shorterm as from the date of completion but I have just received the tenancy agreement from them (following exchange). All is in order apart from, to my horror, a clause concerning pets (I have not yet signed the contract). I have tried to contact my Solicitor but I have not managed to contact her to query this clause as I have two dogs (the buyer was aware I owned dogs when he came to view). As I have not yet found a property to buy I am frantic with worry. The buyers live in Hong Kong and I am unable to reach them. The Agents said they could not advise. What can I do?

pinkshoes

I suggest whilst waiting to hear back from the buyers, you find yourself somewhere else to rent temporarily until you find a house to buy, just in case they really don't want to rent to someone with pets!!

Maybe they'll agree to the dogs if you add an additional clause to the contract saying you'll get a professional cleaner in when you end your tenancy?

prudryden

The clause "No Pets" is one that is incorporated in many contracts. It is sort of a safety net so the renter doesn't raise beasts like crocodiles etc. in the bathroom. It is, for the most part, a general clause and the buyer probably will not have any objections to your dogs - And as posted above, you could be courteous and offer a cleaning deposit or sign an addendum to the contract that you will pay for professional cleaners at the end of the lease.

olibearhorse

what does the clause say? our clause allows pets following written consent and we insist on carpets prof stemed cleaned at the end and any damage rectified.

real1314

echo that, it's common clause, but given the situation I think they've just "left it in".

Contact them , suggesting that they agree a variation for your 2 dogs, subject to you getting all carpets affected professionally cleaned when you leave?

franklee

jangor, it's just a standard term and is probably unfair. The fair version says pets need the landlord's consent, not to be unreasonably withheld.

I'd suggest prohibiting dogs that lived there before the sale that the buyers knew about is unreasonable. The dogs are already living in the house (and have done for some time ) so any damage they'd do to the carpets and furnishings have already been done. A shorterm extra isn't going to make any difference.

Your buyers probably don't even know the term is there. Try to contact the buyers if you can, if that fails I wouldn't worry.

jangor_2

Thankyou all so much, I feel greatly relieved. I can't bear the thought of being parted from my dogs so will try and contact solicitor again Monday and, as suggested, offer to steam clean etc. on my departure. They are both very friendly and laze around quite happily.

franklee

jangor wrote: »

They are both very friendly and laze around quite happily.

I hope that's the dogs and not your solicitors

Don't forget to check the inventory throughly and put any existing damage, marks, stains, ingrained dirt etc in. The house will be sold as seen so you don't want to get charged for cleaning or repairs that would better the property than the standard at sale. You need to be picky and put all the details down, if you have a digital camera then take loads of pictures too so that you have as much evidence as possible. Put any evidence of previous dog occupation on the inventory too. You may feel silly going all this, but think of it this way, it's to protect your deposit, how long would it take you to earn that money?