Renting and Bunny Business?
Hi, I am a animal lover and I have 2 outdoor rabbits in my back garden that in my tenancy states I shouldn’t have pets, but the estate agent allowed it as long as they are outdoors and I bring them in to play with.
My question is I’m looking at setting a boarding business in the garden to look after peoples rabbits when they go away.
I have insured my 2 rabbits already and would look to have insurance for the rabbits that stay with me in my garden.
It does say no business in the contract, but am I actually breaking the contract if there already breaking it and if I was to be found out would I lose my tenancy?
Thanks
Michael
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Member Since February 2011 - Comments: 3453 - Articles: 286
2:59 PM, 13th March 2017, About 9 years ago
Hi Michael,
As cute and fluffy as rabbits are you would be running a business and technically in breach of your tenancy and your landlord could serve you with a section 8 two weeks notice and then apply for a Court order to have you evicted thereafter.
The practicalities could be very bad for the landlord as with customers visiting a business the Landlords Insurance would be void and the Landlord could lose everything worst case scenario in a fire or being sued by someone visiting the property.
Member Since September 2015 - Comments: 19
6:52 PM, 13th March 2017, About 9 years ago
Chickens and rabbits exempt from any prohibitions, it seems:
https://www.property118.com/landlords-must-let-tenants-keep-chickens-and-rabbits/10688/
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 1434
11:13 PM, 13th March 2017, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Richard York” at “13/03/2017 – 18:52“:
But not if it is a business.
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12209 - Articles: 1408
7:37 AM, 14th March 2017, About 9 years ago
I agree with the others who have posted here.
Michael is allowed to keep rabbits under certain conditions under the Allotment Act 1950, however, trading from a residential premises could result in grounds for eviction.
According to the Act, the occupier of any land has the right to keep pet chickens and rabbits and can build or place any buildings on the land for looking after them.
The right does come with conditions:
1) Keeping chickens and rabbits as pets is allowed, but not for any trade or business, so selling eggs would negate the right
2) Keeping the chickens and rabbits must not cause a health issue or nuisance, so complaints about restless chickens would probably mean losing the right to keep them as pets as well.
.
Member Since March 2017 - Comments: 38
9:02 AM, 14th March 2017, About 9 years ago
Is your garden or back yard classed as an Allotment?
Roy
Member Since November 2013 - Comments: 129
9:03 AM, 14th March 2017, About 9 years ago
I cannot add anything to the comments already made, other than something you said:
“am I actually breaking the contract if there already breaking it”
They are not breaking the contract, you asked them if they would allow you (not that they could say no because of the allotment act) and they said yes. This constituted a variation on the lease and therefore they did not break anything.
Comments: 359
9:15 AM, 14th March 2017, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Richard York” at “13/03/2017 – 18:52“:
you beat me to that one Richard
Member Since November 2013 - Comments: 129
9:20 AM, 14th March 2017, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Ros poldermans” at “14/03/2017 – 09:02“:
It doesn’t have to be. the act states “it shall be lawful for the occupier of any land to keep…..” any land and not just allotments even though it is part of the allotment act, go figure!
Comments: 359
10:03 AM, 14th March 2017, About 9 years ago
it’s a residue from WWII when people needed to find ways to enhance their food rations
Member Since November 2013 - Comments: 129
10:23 AM, 14th March 2017, About 9 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “D D” at “14/03/2017 – 10:03“:
I believe that’s correct, even though it was part of the Allotment Act of 1950 rationing didn’t end till 1954. The country found that a lot of people experienced issues with keeping livestock during this period so the act was updated to make it easier.