I want to be a tenant- but I have a pet

[POLO]

Im going to be renting and have a well behaved 5 year old dog it doesnt specify no pets allowed ,it just says no pets to be keep unless permission authorised,if i did get one how would they know.Could they come round without giving notice?we are extremely clean and tidy.

[PaulF]

It's important the clause is well written as this has been tested in the European Courts by a German (not Shepherd! Ha! Ha!) who contested that an outright prohibition on pets prevented a tenant from even having a goldfish and was therefore potentially unfair and onerous.

The clause should now have a qualified covenant to be enforceable which states something like ".....but the landlord's consent will not be unreasonably withheld" or words to that effect, but then what is "unreasonable"? Only the courts can decide.

[POLO]

Hi Paul thanks for your info ,All it says under point 19 no pets are to be kept.
My cousin visits with her dog and they said that would be ok,but i dont see the difference in a dog visiting and a dog sleeping and staying there?

[P.Pilcher]

The problem with dogs is that a) they leave behind an unmistakable odour which dog owners get used to and therefore don't notice and b) they moult.
If permission for a dog is requested I enquire as to whether the dog is to be left in the property without attention all day. (A dog cannot hold it's urine that long and the frustration of being left may well cause it to make a noise, disturbing neighbours and causing damage.) If I get satisfactory answers in this respect and tenants are also experienced dog owners, permission is always forthcoming however I require a tenant seeking such permission to agree to a full steam cleaning of all carpets at the end of their tenancy. This sorts out the problems mentioned above. I don't normally have a problem with any other type of pet.

P.P.

[POLO]

my dog goes all day ,doesnt smell cos hes pedigree and is extremely well house trained and have rented twice before where they have allowed him.i just dont have a house at the moment and dont want to be turned away.

[POLO]

ive had dogs all my life so am a responsble owner and have had this one for 4 years ,there are no tell tale signs that i have a dog in my house apart from the bowls and lead!

[P.Pilcher]

If you were a potential tenant of mine, I would be happy to accept you and your dog! I own a Yorkshire terrier. He is bathed frequently and therefore I don't think he smells - nor does he moult, but I wouldn't disbelieve a non dog owner if he claimed that he did. Thus my dog owning tenants are always required to have the carpets steam cleaned when they leave.

P.P.

[POLO]

Could they come round without our permission and us not being there and find him?hes a english bull.

[Paragon]

All dogs including pedigrees registered with the Kennel Club leave an odour. They also bring in mites and other little animals clinging deparately to their fur.

If you sign a contract agreeing to a No Pet policy without written permission, then you should honour that contract. Failure to do so is a breach of the contract and may eventually be fought in a court room setting. As in all things legal, you never know how a judge will rule on the day, especially on something as vague as the OFT GUIDELINES, which further state that a no pet policy is POTENTIALLY UNFAIR. Unfair doesn't mean illegal.

[POLO]

but there are no requirements stating no pets ,no children ,no dss ,no smokers so where do i stand?

[Paragon]

but there are no requirements stating no pets ,no children ,no dss ,no smokers so where do i stand?

If there is no term in your contract forbidding pets, then you should have no problem.

[Paragon]

Sorry - bit confused. I thought you said initially there was a term that said No Pets. Now you are saying there isn't?

[samantha1609]

If the contract states that pets are not allowed without permission from the landlord and you don't have permission then the dog should not be at the property.

I'm a little confused at to whether you are already tenants at the property or will be moving in soon?

I think the best course of action, would be to obtain permission. Its not worth the hassle of when the property is inspected and then it is discovered you have the dog without permission.

Landlords will consider pets, and generally will want the carpets cleaned, part of the deposit held back for de-infestation (to be returned after a set period) and potentially a higher deposit.

[POLO]

it says not to have any pets on the premises.thats it?

[Paragon]

If the contract states that pets are not allowed without permission from the landlord and you don't have permission then the dog should not be at the property.

I'm a little confused at to whether you are already tenants at the property or will be moving in soon?

I think the best course of action, would be to obtain permission. Its not worth the hassle of when the property is inspected and then it is discovered you have the dog without permission.

Landlords will consider pets, and generally will want the carpets cleaned, part of the deposit held back for de-infestation (to be returned after a set period) and potentially a higher deposit.

Good post!!