Hi, yes I personally have very strong views on the pet issue. You need to issue a sect 21 which you could always revoke later if the tenant complies.
Tenants seem to have a book of plausible responses when they underhandedly acquire a pet. It’s well behaved, I’m dog sitting for a friend, it’s never a problem, it’s very clean, don’t worry we will clean up after it ( which never happens and they will transform your back garden into a sewer with empty promises to clean it up) , it’s only a pup, etc etc etc!
The bottom line is I think most landlords on here have been conned into allowing a pet only to find that it’s the landlord that ends up policing the damn animal !
If your policy is no pets then you must stick to it because if they get one into the house they will get more … and more destruction, Hassle and problems for you.
It looks as it may well become law in the near future but it’s not passed as yet and only if the model tenancy agreement is used . If it does eventually get passed along with all the other one-sided legislation I will tell the tenants I’m selling the property and decide later if I have changed my mind.
Be firm and hard on this issue or you may pay dearly if extending this privilege to your tenant !!!
I’ve had this twice happen. It’s breach of tenancy, and I don’t like trust that’s broken. I would rather a tenant be honest. Either serve notice on a no fault (easier) or I would try and work something out to suit you both if otherwise they are a good tenant. I did do this with a tenant on one occasion and it did work out well, however once that trust has broken it does make you very wary.
They’re not good, they are causing more and more damage…
Great advice, you’ve helped me make up my mind, thanks
I would most definitely get onto environmental health and RSPCA if you feel the animals are not housed in good conditions.
I’ve tried, and it was incredibly infuriating; they claimed there was nothing they could do, but I’d hate to know what constitutes bad enough conditions to warrant them getting involved.
I’ve just been through the same thing with one of my tenants and the small dog has wrecked the house, to the extent I need a new kitchen, door frames and doors. The house has been wrecked. I have since evicted the tenant, she owed 3 months rent and trashed the house because she was annoyed with my decision. Do not relent. Even the skirting boards have been chewed.
I totally agree. Apart from the contract I would take this as a very personal insult and I would want them out of my life. I have been and currently remain, very fortunate with my own tenants who have been decent people. But then I personally vet them and most are rejected by either my existing tenants or myself.
Hi,
Sorry to hear about your situation. I’m an animal lover and a Landlord. With my previous tenants I allowed both a dog and a cat. I had an additional pet contract - mostly taken from the Dogs Trust website which I wrote up. Included in the main contract is a clause saying all tenants must agree to the additional pet contract. By law you cannot charge more for the animals. So I set the rent high and allowed animals. I was inundated with good tenants who wanted a place for them and their much loved animals. The contract allows for inspections but most importantly rules for the conditions for the animal. So they cannot be left for long periods of time, you must have their vet details, animals must be vaccinated and trained. Etc. When they leave they have to provide a full deep clean. If the animal is well cared for and well exercised then you don’t get the destruction. It’s not the dog it’s the owner who is not meeting their needs. Lack of exercise, poor health leads to destruction.
Their dog had a certificate of training -and was very well behaved. I don’t mind if the tenant has a dog that yaps or barks a bit - I find children far more destructive. Sticky fingers, pens, indoor ball games etc. The place was immaculate when the pet owners left.
Just saying there are good tenants who will pay a higher rent to secure a good property that will allow their animals. So that’s worth remembering.
These tenants however sound like a nightmare. Structural changes, damage… They’ve broken their trust with you. So I would not want them staying in my property.
Good luck. I hope you find someone wonderful to replace them.
If they were at all responsible, I would consider it. The tenant works every morning until about 1pm, I suspect they dog would be left to possibly do damage in the house or be left in the back garden where there’s lots of decorative gravel for it to leave its mess. It’s definitely a no from me…thanks for your input!
So you have a contract saying the owner will do this or that, but how is that enforced? what happens if they don’t do those things? As an example, dogs need monthly medicine for fleas and ticks. Its not cheap and easy to forget. If you find fleas in the carpet, can you evict? Also, the contract should include a term on how the dog waste should be disposed of. This will always be a “bone of contention”. I am both a landlord and a dog owner. But if I was a tenant I would never own a dog, its totally irresponsible in my opinion.
I use the cheapest carpets, so cost less to replace if needed. I prefer a cheap but clean carpet to a more expensive one.
I hold my hands up. I’ve NEVER had any problems with tenants (touch wood!). Have had the same tenants in all 4 properties for a number of years now (5 years+)… I didn’t think i’d have a problem with dogs either as i have lodger living in the annex with a dog but she really is the most behaved dog i have ever come across. However having read some of these posts i don’t think i could allow tenants with pets in the future. Renters reform bill will be a nightmare!
After a bad experience several years ago …my contracts always specify no pets now…however I agree with most of the comments above. 2 different tenants moved pets in illegally one a captain in the forces! (within 2 weeks of moving in and lied)…so they were told ‘It was a breach of contract …find somewhere else to live and I will return your deposit less a deep clean’
I had 2 tenants ask me and the dogs went to .doggie day care. whilst owners were in work…properties were immaculate when they vacated to buy their own properties.
Animal not the issue,irresponsible owners are…IMO,remind them in breach of contract so thats that
Hope it helps and you get it sorted quickly
From now on I would not tolerate any pets in my rented place as I have developed some allergy and I would get rash and I have to be very careful. Even I had to say no friend of mine visit her home as she got dog.
I think tenants should respect and try to understand when the landlords say pets are not allowed.
Pets and a piano ,with a vulture in a large cage . Now there is a good tenant
Add a pig ignorant troll to the list.
It’s people like these that makes it difficult for us responsible pet owners to find housing that accept pets.
I would totally understand if the landlord evicted me if I was allowing my pet damaging their property.
I have had pets for years and I always manage to train them and give them appropriate toys and posts to scratch on so that they don’t scratch on my furniture, carpets or wood. It’s all very well calling a dog a “yappy little dog”, but animals like children, need structure, stimulation and care otherwise they get bored and bark, scratch, bite and develop behavioural issues, like a child would. Chuck your tennants out for being irresponsible, but don’t blame the dog. By the sound of it, she’s not a responsible parent to her children either.
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