Cats and dogs policy shortsighted

Cats and dogs policy shortsighted

9:54 AM, 22nd January 2020, About 4 years ago 18

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The suggestion (eg Jenrick) that landlords should be utterly relaxed about pets is shortsighted and another threat and attempt to provide council housing terms on the cheap by private landlords.

Landlords should insist on a certificate of responsible dog/pet ownership by a recognised body, periodically updated as required, and tenants should have passed this course on signing in.

The effect of noise and shared areas/ garden should be the responsibility of the pet owner with sufficiently regular decontamination as per risk. Then pet tenants should be made aware that the next tenant may be allergic to cat and dog hairs etc, this can cause anaphalaxis and respiratory failure, so the existing pet owner should have ALL the carpets and floor covering changed and the place disinfected at the end of the tenancy.

Funds for this should be handed over to the landlord months before vacation, preferably at the start of the tenancy, so that prompt arrangements are possible. So what is good for the landlord (proper risk assessment and action) is good for the tenant.

All this being done, pets may then be allowed in proven cases. Remember landlords, if you do not do all of this YOU may be sued for breach of health and safety by the incoming tenant or the existing neighbours, or the peak caps in the councils.

JS


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Comments

Reluctant Landlord

10:27 AM, 23rd January 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 23/01/2020 - 10:21
...especially if you conduct Landlord checks yourself also!

Julie Dawson

12:14 PM, 23rd January 2020, About 4 years ago

I used to always have a "pet declaration" signed from tenants (prior to June last year), with an additional £150 added to their bond. It stipulated that WE got the house cleaned and carpets professionally cleaned when they moved out ... this was because I was sick of seeing scrap bits of paper from apparent professional cleaners, when it was clear it hasn't been done. By allowing pets, the tenant was aware that this would be done when they moved out and without this being signed they weren't allowed pets. Now because of the change in fees, we cant charge (more than 5 weeks rent), and we cant add any addendums like pet declarations. We are opening ourselves up to alsorts, unless we say NO. As a lot of homes have a pet now you are restricting yourself, you cant win 🙂

SM

13:34 PM, 23rd January 2020, About 4 years ago

I can see in the near future it will be made illegal not to accept pets. I wonder how long it will before after the law is introduced before a tenant demands that they are aloud to keep their horse in the underground car park.

Porky

21:42 PM, 26th January 2020, About 4 years ago

One of my tenants started keeping guinea pigs indoors. I found out at the last inspection. Not causing any damage. A bit smelly but I accepted as they were for her daughter. I would object to a dog though but a cat would be fine.

Judith Wordsworth

9:39 AM, 27th January 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Porky at 26/01/2020 - 21:42
Cats can have fleas too and cause terrible infestations. Some people have "indoor" cats and don't change the litter tray daily and the smell is awful as is the smell from snakes!
One of my rental flat's is in a block where the management company, all owners, have said no one including tenants will be given permission to have dogs.
I don't want any pets in my rental properties to have to then deal with the aftermath

Reluctant Landlord

10:04 AM, 27th January 2020, About 4 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 27/01/2020 - 09:39
fully agree! I have had contractors we have used for years refuse point blank to go into some of our properties due to the smell and overflowing cat litter trays. What about the H & S of these people? Ditto for our gas guy doing annual checks. We had a situation recently where we had to lift bedroom floorboards..only to find bags of dog sh** under them left there by tenant! No, its an outright NO pets from me and I'll defend my right in court if ever needed. Same goes for anyone having a pet without permission. They all sign a TA with it explicitly stated. The pet goes or it's an eviction order...you decide!

Porky

10:44 AM, 27th January 2020, About 4 years ago

I have regular inspections at my properties and any bad smell or signs of pet damage would be picked up and corrective action taken against the tenant.
My main reason against dogs is they are prone to chewing door frames, can be unfriendly to anyone visiting to do work and they can bark and whine which is anti social to neighbours.

James Noble

18:40 PM, 27th January 2020, About 4 years ago

Good for you. I had a gas company (changing the boiler) leave a property that contained two dogs simply because of the smell. I had to get another firm in to deal with it. They wore face masks! And yes, the agreement stated no pets...

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