Hello all,
Very new landlord here. I have found potential new tenants, but they come with 2 gerbils… although the ad says no pets, they have been honest about this.
Has anyone had any experience (good or bad) with allowing small, caged pets in flats- is it worth making an exception as less likely to do same damage as a cat or dog?
Many thanks for your input!
It’s always down to tenant and how responsible they are, which of course you won’t know about.
I have let tenants keep gerbils and had no issues, I dont see it as anything significant compared to a dog.
Theres smells to consider, what if they never clean the cage out, what if they let gerbils out and are running around peeing on carpets and chewing stuff?
Can you inspect where they live now to see how it’s kept?
I would charge a pet premium if I was willing to let them go ahead. Would have to be a stand out tenant though.
Thanks for the advice 
think I will proceed and add a specific clause in the contract for professional cleaning at the end of the tenancy. My instinct is there’s a risk, but I’m more comfortable with a small caged rodent than a cat/dog.
Not legal to demand a professional clean, you can request that it is cleaned to at least the same standard as when the tenancy started.
If they don’t return cleaned to same standard then you can pay for professional clean and deduct from their deposit.
Better to collect the cost of a professional clean through increased rent and possibly pet insurance too. Saying that, I have only ever been disappointed with what ‘professional’ cleaners deliver and the significant sums of money tenants pay them - as much as £250.
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