Current pet confusion – pre tenancy?

Current pet confusion – pre tenancy?

0:02 AM, 6th October 2023, About 8 months ago 27

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Hello, as it is not possible to ask for more than a 5 week deposit, and other fees are banned, what are the options available to a landlord if they are considering allowing a pet in the property?

Is it actually ok to turn around and say a pet may be accepted BUT that as a result, the rent as advertised previously will have to increase as a result as there is no other way of reducing the risk of potential pet damage etc BEFORE a tenancy is actually offered?

I’m in two minds at this point as what to do, but maybe swayed if I can at least have the money up front (as it were to) compensate for the potential damage that may occur if the pet turns rogue. (of course this in turn increases the actual deposit that can be taken a little)

Your thoughts people?

Reluctant landlord


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Comments

Mick Roberts

12:07 PM, 6th October 2023, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Blodwyn at 06/10/2023 - 11:51
Yes they running a big business, the country. So we need proper people in, not these bafoon's.

RoseD

13:51 PM, 6th October 2023, About 8 months ago

Just to get back to point raised by Reluctant Landlord....have you ever allowed a tenant a pet? My personal experience is that they (the tenant) are so grateful to be allowed this 'privilege' they (the tenant) go above and beyond to ensure there are no problems. As previously mentioned I have a separate addendum outlining conditions around said pet. Only once have I picked up on a possible issue where skirting appeared 'scratched at'. Tenant paid for repair immediately. Most pet owners responsible decent people and i can honestly say had more damage from a family with two small children. Just saying!

Mick Sparky

14:24 PM, 6th October 2023, About 8 months ago

My neighbour rented out a 2 bedroom house next to mine. The tenants had 2 Alsatians and would leave them in the second bedroom when they went to work. Eventually they stopped paying rent and had to be evicted. Before it went to court they did a moonlight flit. The second bedroom had been used as a toilet by the dogs and the house had been chewed up and all carpets throughout destroyed. The rear garden was full of dog mess and left for my neighbour to clear up. They could not get rid of the smell in the bedroom and had to have the floorboards and skirtings completely removed and replaced. No deposit remained as they stopped paying the rent long before they left. Rent to tenants with pets at your risk, I won't!

Raz

14:32 PM, 6th October 2023, About 8 months ago

It's not just possible pet damage. Something else to take into account with tenant pets, is that if the tenant is evicted/moves out and leaves pets behind then the landlord becomes liable to look after them 'for a reasonable amount of time' like any other left-behind tenant goods.

Pet charities are already stuffed to the gills. It's rare to find one that would take the pets for just a couple of weeks. It's either sign the pets over for adoption (which most won't do) or the landlord has to stump up for the hefty kennel/cattery fees. That is on top of possible extra fees to get a dog handler in for the initial eviction (which aren't cheap either).

I do take pets in my properties, but one of the conditions is that the tenants provide a guarantor for their pets who agree to take responsibility in the event of an emergency/abandonment, and they agree to pay for kennel/fostering or vet fees. I get this signed in person by the guarantor and make them fully aware of their obligations, and check them as you would any rent guarantor.
If they can't provide this then the rent is automatically increased.

RoseD

15:26 PM, 6th October 2023, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Mick Sparky at 06/10/2023 - 14:24
Guess we all have our experiences don't we but in this example the problem goes beyond the dogs i'd say. Appalling example of bad tenants!

Jason Harris

16:08 PM, 6th October 2023, About 8 months ago

In the future you’ll be forced to accept pets.. you didn’t include what kind of pet do you know? That would make a world of difference.

I’d rather take a couple with a moggie that sleeps all day, than a family with small children.

It amazes me how other landlords behave when it comes to pets children are a greater risk to your properties.

Blodwyn

16:25 PM, 6th October 2023, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Raz at 06/10/2023 - 14:32
Can you do this now? Every legal hand seems turned against you?

RoseD

17:38 PM, 6th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Jason Harris at 06/10/2023 - 16:08
Exactly my point Jason and I've had same experience. Would rather have a single person with a pet than a family. Also what happens when a good tenant asks if they can have a pet. Do you evict because of that request? I'm glad that I have a tenant who pays rent on time and looks after the property. If that happens to be a pet owner I don't have a problem with that providing they keep to pet rules that are applied.

Old Mrs Landlord

17:57 PM, 6th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Jason Harris at 06/10/2023 - 16:08
I have yet to meet the child who infested the carpets with fleas or ate the plaster off the walls like the dog at one our houses!

Teessider

18:37 PM, 6th October 2023, About 7 months ago

Instead of advertising a place at a fixed rent of, for example, £600 you could advertise the rent as being negotiable between £550 and £650.

Couple with no kids and no pets, £550. Couple with kids, £600. Couple with pets, £650.

Choose the tenant, agree the rent and write the AST accordingly.

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