Buying a new build leasehold flat- Pets policy

Scotbot

GixerKate said:

Gotta think of the welfare of the dog too, a flat isn't the best home for a dog and if you are top floor thats a lot of stairs for the dog, puppies aren't supposed to do stairs when growing as its really bad for their development and the same with older dogs.  Are you willing to carry a dog up and down the stairs each time it needs to go to to the toilet?

I lived in a flat in the US with 2 dogs, 3 floors up with no lift. Over there renting flats with dogs is the norm, I assume tenancy laws are different. Common place to see people carrying their pups up and down stairs but the dogs soon get used to it. I however did not get used to taking them out first thing in the morning and last thing at night when it was 10 below freezing!

penners324

Bit cruel keeping a dog in a flat.

SallyDucati

jaxkesa said:

You can usually have a pet, you just need to let them know and may have to pay a small 'notice fee'. Check with the management company,

Don't count on it, particularly a new build. I would expect a definite no even if asked.  I ended up taking my Mums cat in when she got a absolute refusal from the flat she was moving into.  

Majoggy

penners324 said:

Bit cruel keeping a dog in a flat.

Depends on the dog

Scotbot

Majoggy said:

penners324 said:

Bit cruel keeping a dog in a flat.

Depends on the dog

True. I once read an article where a vet recommended a great dane for an apartment dweller as they don't need much exercise and happily spend a lot of time asleep on the sofa. Mind you the living space would need to be big enough for two sofas so the owner can sit somewhere as well...

dpenney22

penners324 said:

Bit cruel keeping a dog in a flat.

Genuinely don't know why people always assume that anyone who wants a pet in a flat (and is in London where most homes are flat) is not going to give it as good a life as elsewhere. The dog we want is a breed I know well and have had previously, we have a large flat and a large private outdoor area and  someone home with the dog at all times due to our working schedule and people who love to go walking. I understand I can't break leases, I was only asking if anyone had experience with the exact wording before. I appreciate your opinion but not what I asked the question for 

AnotherJoe

Majoggy said:

We got the OK from the chairman of the residents committee. She's a very quiet and well behaved dog so we are not worried.

Boggles. 

SuperHan

We had permission denied for house rabbits, as there was a risk they could get to pipes and chew through them and cause a flood...
Even if you got permission for the dog, it would only take one complaint about barking for them to revoke it - then what would you do?

It doesn't sound like a leasehold flat (or at least this one) is for you. 

Lunchbox

Definitely check with the freeholder/management company. The no pets and no barbecues clauses are the only two rigorously enforced by our otherwise distant, incompetent and incommunicable freeholder. Several people have been forced to get rid of cats and dogs. Barbecues I do understand - we’ve had 3 fires in the space of a couple of years due to people having barbecues on balconies.

Racky_Roo

Our block of flats has similar wording and what actually happens is the freeholder defers the decision to the residents association. We have said yes in the past to cats but always no to dogs as we have carpet in our communal hallways and don't want to risk any accidents as well as the fact myself and another resident are highly allergic to fur. We also have a lovely large garden we all use regularly and don't want a dog in it.