Mutual exchange, pets?

oystercatcher

As well as the permission issue, just consider do you really want to live in an upstairs flat with a dog? I wouldn't.

We may have managed ok but with hassle a few years ago but now we have a very elderly dog with mobility and continence issues and a flat with stairs and communal areas would, lets just say 'be a problem' and neighbours may object !

But I don't know how difficult it would be for you to find an alternative ...

Anon2213123

t0rt0ise wrote: »

The HA doesn't approve individual posts on the Homeswapper site so they have no idea what their tenant has said in their swap ad. I wouldn't risk moving to that flat. It may be that the HA won't worry about you having a dog until someone else complains and then they will enforce their rule.

1. When you send a request for an account on HomeSwapper, your landlord will first check over your tenancy agreement to see if it matches up with the details in your HomeSwapper application.

2. They will then either approve or reject your request for a HomeSwapper account and let us know what their decision is.

With point one, homeswapper is mentioned as the HA's official swapping resource. No dogs allowed on tenancy agreement, but then approved anyway on homeswapper?


As that flat is so ideal for me, I've been thinking today about calling their bluff?

Let's be honest here, as per homeswapper terms. If I had a dog there the courts will say to them if they tried to evict me "you should have checked your tenants application more thoroughly".

Equally they will say to me if I was to play dumb "you should have checked the tenancy agreement more thoroughly".

My understanding is if I did do a swap and moved my dog in, A) nothing would happen unless my dog was a PITA. The landlord says I've got 2 weeks to get rid of my dog.

In those 2 weeks, I put across full on evidence as to why they might fail in court (The homeswapper advert, nature of my dog and so on).

They either back down and say fine, or, they go all the way which could easily be and either way decision by the courts.

Anon2213123

oystercatcher wrote: »

As well as the permission issue, just consider do you really want to live in an upstairs flat with a dog? I wouldn't.

We may have managed ok but with hassle a few years ago but now we have a very elderly dog with mobility and continence issues and a flat with stairs and communal areas would, lets just say 'be a problem' and neighbours may object !

But I don't know how difficult it would be for you to find an alternative ...

He's a pug, he get's carried about all the time. He's 4 years old and still has to have puppy pads down just in case it's raining outside because even dragging him won't work (although very rare).

When I go out he gets taken down stairs and stuff (he sleeps in my room). When he's not been up to it I just pop him in a dog carried strapped to my back and he loves it.

In fact he doesn't even like stairs so nearly every time I just carry him down from my bedroom.

I can understand if the dog was a lot bigger really.

It all comes down to weather those rules are set in stone 100% or weather there is any room to compromise, of which my pug would fulfil any compromise. Probably the best breed to have when it comes to living in a flat

onwards&upwards

Anon2213123 wrote: »

He's a pug, he get's carried about all the time. He's 4 years old and still has to have puppy pads down just in case it's raining outside because even dragging him won't work (although very rare).

When I go out he gets taken down stairs and stuff (he sleeps in my room). When he's not been up to it I just pop him in a dog carried strapped to my back and he loves it.

In fact he doesn't even like stairs so nearly every time I just carry him down from my bedroom.

I can understand if the dog was a lot bigger really.

It all comes down to weather those rules are set in stone 100% or weather there is any room to compromise, of which my pug would fulfil any compromise. Probably the best breed to have when it comes to living in a flat

Having a small dog makes living in an upstairs flat easier, but why are you carrying him around all the time and why isn’t he properly house trained? Pugs are still dogs and should be treated and trained like dogs!

AnotherJoe

Anon2213123 wrote: »

I had a reply from their HA which gives me no real answer. They actually contradict themselves.

In the human typed bit of the email it says dogs aren't normally allowed in their flats but they will look at it on a case by case basis (I'm quite certain the evidence I could provide would swing things in my favour to having a dog there).

Dear HA,
thank you for your letter of the x/y/z stating that you will look at dog ownership on a case by case basis.
I therefore am asking you to look at my case, which is that I need a dog because;
a) I already have one which is of great comfort to me and it simply would not be possible for me to give her up
b)
c)
d)

Hopefully you can give me a favorable reply so that i can proceed with the swap,
yours
Anon2213123

t0rt0ise

Anon2213123 wrote: »

1. When you send a request for an account on HomeSwapper, your landlord will first check over your tenancy agreement to see if it matches up with the details in your HomeSwapper application.

2. They will then either approve or reject your request for a HomeSwapper account and let us know what their decision is.

With point one, homeswapper is mentioned as the HA's official swapping resource. No dogs allowed on tenancy agreement, but then approved anyway on homeswappers.

Exactly so and as I said the landlord doesn't approve everything that's posted on that site so they won't know what the person has written. I know all about it because I have done a swap myself using Homeswappers.

It sounds like you have made your mind up already so good luck with your move.

Rosieandjim

My local authority allow animals in flats as long as the flat has its own front door (no mention of garden) If there is a communal entrance they are not allowed. However, this does not stop some people trying it on and getting away with having dogs as long as they are quiet and don't cause problems they seem to stay put.
Your swapper could be one of the ones who has got away with it as her dog does not cause problems.


In your situation I would be getting any permission put in writing so that if there were problems further down the line you have it written down.

MandM90

AnotherJoe wrote: »

Dear HA,
thank you for your letter of the x/y/z stating that you will look at dog ownership on a case by case basis.
I therefore am asking you to look at my case, which is that I need a dog because;
a) I already have one which is of great comfort to me and it simply would not be possible for me to give her up
b)
c)
d)

Hopefully you can give me a favorable reply so that i can proceed with the swap,
yours
Anon2213123

OP, I urge you to do the above. Risking it might leave you homeless, or dog-less!

Anon2213123

My pug is completely house trained. With rain though he often won't like going outside and sometimes, especially if I've just mopped the floor and cleaned up, it's easier when I know he needs the toilet to quickly put down a puppy pad, let him go and dispose of said pad right away, instead of him going out and leaving wet mud all over the floor when he comes back in.

I carry him about all the time because of the type of breed. For example, up and down stairs here as he sometimes doesn't like going up and down himself (small legs, chunky body, prone to falling especially when going down). Other times if we are going to a big field 20 minutes away (I don't drive), I carry him in a rucksack style carrier so he doesn't tire himself out before we get there and can enjoy the field.

t0rt0ise - But "your landlord will first check over your tenancy agreement to see if it matches up with the details in your HomeSwapper application". If tenancy agreement says no pets but advert says pets allowed, then the Homeswapper application doesn't match up with the tenancy agreement.

Neither of us know all about it as what's for certain is landlords have to approve an advert and pay the fee. The only person who knows for certain what is checked and what isn't, is the staff member who works for the HA that approves the advert. It could be that nothing is checked against tenancy and just approved without looking, it could be just the name and address is checked or it could be the whole advert is viewed and checked.


Thanks AnotherJoe, I've saved the text you put and will be sending it to them. You think i'm better off sending it direct to a housing officer as the people responding to email just seem to be lacking knowledge apart from very basic support

HampshireH

Homeswapper application the HA approves is access to the site not individual approaches by customers.

Your point wouldnt be valid in court. The HA is providing you a free way to engage with other people looking to move. It doesn't exonerate the people using the website from being responsible for ensuring they apply for suitable properties.

The HA is also seperate to homeswapper they pay your fee so you dont have to.

They just do the relevant checks on receipt of an application to swap.

Having historically enforced a no dog rule as a housing professional (one of many I expect) by enforcing the terms of the tenancy, policy of the HA, obtaining injunction and full court proceedings on breach of that injunction, I can advise its not a pleasant experience and the case was successful in court.

The outcome was extremely unfavourable to the tenant & not one I would recommend be pursued. The too moved a dog into a flat in the knowledge it was not allowed.

But that's just from experience. Your HA may not care. The approach described above however is extremely risky.