To Landlords, would you Rent to a Pet owner?

HappyMJ

jjlandlord wrote: »

No, it is costing the tenant's money as the legal costs will be awarded to the landlord.
The tenant will get a CCJ if he does not pay within 30 days.

Let's get the facts straight, shall we?

Okay the tenant gets a CCJ for a successful Section 8 notice which the court is very unlikely to grant during a fixed term...the tenant doesn't own a property and has no money as tenant has much more pressing bills to pay. Tenant can't be traced. Landlord has lost the money even in the short term if eventually tenant can pay the landlord is out of pocket and is taking a huge risk.

Section 21 costs are not passed on to tenant so no problem there.

jjlandlord

HappyMJ wrote: »

Section 21 costs are not passed on to tenant so no problem there.

That is not true.

£280 court cost + legal costs (capped just below £100 iirc for the accelerated procedure) + £110 bailiffs fee if tenant does not comply with court order = £490.

CCJ if not paid.


The more we read your post the more you seem a tenant from hell.
And you say that you are also a landlord?! So you manage to score on both sides!

ognum

I am happy for my tenants in my houses to have pets, I have one family who have a cat and a dog, interestingly they let their own home which was advertised as no pets!

My flats have no pet clause in the leases so I stand by that.

*Robin*

Try Gumtree, private ads in local papers, card in post office etc., - avoid agencies altogether!

As a small LL, also a pet owner who has been in your position OP, I actively sought a tenant with pets for a long-term tenancy (I self-manage, as do many LLs with only one or two properties).

All the applicants' pets were included in interview, and I asked for a larger deposit in case of damage. Then picked the family who were clearly the most responsible pet-owners.

Three years down the line everyone is happy; those particular tenants are likely to stay for another decade (they've got children as well now, so the excellent school up the road is an added incentive).

However, if one of my tenants was untruthful about having pets, they'd definitely receive an S21 when their initial AST was coming to an end because it's a betrayal of trust - what else have they lied about?

Pixie5740

I'd try what *Robin* suggests and maybe posting your own advert on Gumtree too.

What about putting together a CV for your cats. You could document the vaccinations they've had, any flea prevention treatment and the name of the vet they are registered with.

Are you renting somewhere else just now? If so would your current landlord be willing to included details about the pets (well trained, didn't pee instead or scratch the furniture, that sort of thing) in your reference?

CathA

My daughter has dogs and when she went to see her flat, she waited until she'd met the landlord, they'd got on well and had a chat and then mentioned that she had dogs, would that be an issue? She had references from her previous landlord for the dogs, offered to pay any extra deposit and also for any damage.

A lot of landlords put no pets but if they meet you and you are a reasonable person with good references and offer money upfront, they might be inclined to change their mind. Worth a shot? Good luck anyway.

BitterAndTwisted

Agencies will stand by the "no pets" rule as most of time they can't be bothered to contact the landlord, and a lot of the time they don't need to, such is the competition.

Find a property that's managed by the LL rather than an agency, and once you've met them, invite them to visit you in your current property. Emphasise that you're looking for a long-term let. What they're mostly worried about is damage and fleas. Also later tenants having an allergy but there's not much you can do about that. A responsible, solvent, pet-owning tenant who's looking at the long-term is the ideal kind for most (sensible) landlords. Professional ones. Accidental amateur landlords, not so much

MARTYM8`

Susie_Richards wrote: »

The trouble with not being totally honest is, what if the neighbours know or are still in contact with the landlord/owner?

You might get away with cats - but dogs will tend to bark and potentially annoy the neighbours if they do it regularly or at night.

A dog owner has moved into the house behind my parents - the dog barks all the time. Doesn't bother my parents - as they are both going a bit deaf - but it would irritate the hell out of me if I lived there.

InquisitiveMind

I'm not a landlord, but I'd be far more weary of an owner with a dog than a cat. But then again, the type of people who will let their dog poo all over the place I think are the types of person who will say they don't have a dog.

solentsusie

I have a cat and I had no trouble renting a property. I also have had friends who have rented with dogs and cats and not had issues. I am sure the right property will come along soon, especially if you have a year of rent in your back pocket.


I think being honest is essential, if you are caught out why would the landlord extend your lease? You have just proved yourself to be dishonest.