This is my first time using Openrent, having previously used agents and need advice. I will allow pets but would request higher deposit depending on the pet. I note that the deposit limit was recently capped to maximum of 5 weeks rent. I am asking £1850 per month rent and will accept £1850 deposit without pets and up to £2134 with pets. How should I list this? Thanks.
Why not put it in the description. list the £1850 deposit as a Minimum?
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Hi Gill. This is a subject dear to my heart so have a look at some of our previous threads on the subject. My advice would be to avoid any possible confusion over illegal charges and just advertise with the higher deposit. Most tenants will be expecting 5 weeks rent as the deposit and there is no reason not to reduce the deposit during negotiations if you want to. OpenRent say that it’s ok to include an extra end of tenancy cleaning charge for pets as set out in their standard agreement.
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Go with tony s advice
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I agree with Colin and Tony also
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Thanks, I’ll do that.
It is my understandin that pet deposits are no longer allowed so I would just put a clause for extra cleaning in the contract, ie specialist to get rid of flees etc
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Lets hope the fleas dont go to another tenant in the same house! no pets for me!
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Yes the maximum deposit is now five weeks’ rent. I’d go with Tony’s advice 
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Personally I would list 5 weeks deposit without pets and write on your listing that if there are pets it will be an extra £10 per month on the rent or whatever the price of deposit insurance is to cover any and all costs of damage left by pets at the end of the tenancy. This will enable you to make a claim at the end of the tenancy if costs to reinstate your house is more than 5 weeks worth of damage
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Hi Gill2
My business model is keep it simple and by allowing pets it only makes it more complicated, therefore I do not allow them. It’s fine when all goes well but if issues arise due to pets you know it will cost you time, stress and possibly money in sorting it out.
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I am with you Ali3, i did try to offer pets but it got too messy so i decided against the idea in a HMO yet i would defiantly consider certain kind of pets in a normal house rental, not sure if it would be discrimination to pick and choose a specific pet say a cuddly dog over a great dame for instance.
I just cant imagine pets in an hmo if everyone had a pet it could be chaotic , smelly, fights. the mind boggles!
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Hi Tony, if this extra charge at end of tenancy is already set out in openrents standard agreement, what else needs to be added, the amount? Or is this determined by whatever clean is necessary? Thanks
@LorraineN : That’s one for OpenRent to answer. Personally I wouldn’t add an extra charge as the legal advice I’ve received conflicts with OR’s opinion on this and I don’t want to end up paying a solicitor to argue it. I would either take it from the deposit or add a monthly charge as per Daniel1’s suggestion.
What I would say though, is that I have two tenancies with 5 cats between them. I’m going to end up with pretty hefty cleaning costs as a result, but the tenants are long term and paying a good rent, so it balances out overall.
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