Mumsnet Talk

I know I'm up for a flaming, but try and be gentle.

We have had our boy for nearly three years. His great, fits in with us well and is fairly well behaved (as teenagers go).

However, our situation has changed and we have had to sell our current home and we are going into rented.
We are struggling to find anywhere that will take dogs that is also suitable for the rest of the family.

We are happy to pay higher deposit and to agree to shampoo the carpets before we leave.

It seems so wrong to choose my family home based on my dog, above my kids. I don't know what to do, we have about 6-8 weeks to find somewhere to go.

What would you do?

I would go to every length I could not to, to be honest.

But what I wanted to say as a Landlord, is just because the advert says no pets, it is still worth enquiring.

It is often a default condition put in by agents and LLs, but if you ring up and actually speak to the LL about it, some will let you.

I do, but I take a bigger deposit. It is worth asking, and putting a 'proposal' for want of a better word together saying that you are prepared to put down a bigger deposit and pay for professional carpet cleaning on exit.

It won't work with everyone but, some of us really aren't that bad!

In what way the places that will accept your dog are unsuitable for your children?

When I read your thread title I was thinking 'no no no!' but I see you're in a difficult position. It sounds like you're trying your best to hold onto him. Is there anywhere he could go temporarily (foster home perhaps?) or is renting a permanent thing?

Lets With Pets booklet may have some info for you.

I agree with asking anyway, go and look round, let them meet you and offer higher deposits. I really feel for you, have been in a similar position.

I haven't been in your situation, OP, but I couldn't let my two go, they're an important part of the family. It sounds a bit like you want to take your dishwasher but can't find a property with a kitchen big enough so you'll have to get rid of it. Are you rural? Must be tough as i can't believe you'd do it lightly

I second what oreocrumbs said. We rent and like you have struggled on occasions but suitable houses ARE out there. I also found that certain agents deal with more rural properties (where the chances of you being allowed a dog is higher) than others.
Having said that I have heart-breakingly had to rehome dogs in the past due to housing. It was a choice between DS being in a decent house, within reach of school, friends etc and keeping the dog, or rehoming the dog and putting DS first.
Good luck

The properties that allow dogs are too far away from where we need to be, is too much monthly money or isn't big enough eg only two beds.
I have emailed a few this evening and asked if we agree to clean carpets and pay bigger deposit if they would allow us to rent.

There is a local big house that has properties on site which always allows dogs but so far nothing coming up, apart from a small one.

We are moving to help my parents, letting the girls have their own rooms (both have SN) and closer to school.

I could never do that, for me when you get a pet you make a committment that you are bound to respect. I rented with my dog and there was less choice but I asked the agent to check with the LL each time we saw a house we were interested in and we found somewhere fairly quickly. I also found it useful to explain what type of dog/age/neutered etc. as some are put off by the idea of puppies. Good luck.

I couldn't live with myself no matter what the circumstances. Isn't there anyone who could look after doggie until you find the right home for all of you?

What area are you in OP?

Hertfordshire, I'm just hoping someone will take him and maybe someone who already believed the myth of non moulting labradoodles.

What we did when renting was we placed an advertisement in the Accommodation Wanted section of the local papers. We stated clearly that we were dog owners and were looking for somewhere to live. This would be a good opportunity to mention your willingness to pay higher deposit, pay for professional cleaning etc.
We were bowled over by the excellent response we had and we ended up looking at some great places and eventually found a fabulous bungalow. LL and his wife were delightful and everything worked out perfectly.

Ooh yes scuttle I had forgotten that. We printed nice posters and popped them in vets, feed merchants, country stores etc. As I said before, IME the more rural you go, the likelier they are to allow pets.

Yes. I would. Humans first. Always.

Hadn't thought of posters, will do that
We can't go far out into villages as we are moving to help parents.

I have always just stated to letting agent that I have two dogs, I will pay a higher deposit, limit the dogs to parts of the house if they want (for example I don't let my dogs upstairs anyway) and I want this town/area and that we are a professional working family with a well trained breed etc . It has luckily always been fine. I think you need to be firm.

But like topbanana I do actually live rather rural (off a village up a lane) and I do understand that is difficult if you cannot drive

No. But I fear we may well be in a similar situation ourselves very soon. And it's actually my biggest fear. I don't mind losing my home of 15 years nearly as much as I mind losing my dog. Losing both is heartbreaking.

Like TSC, I will put the humans first, though. I have 3DCs, so I have to.

I would follow all the advice here to try to find a suitable property, absolutely every avenue.

But if it doesn't work please don't rehome privately, even to friends of friends, as he might end up passed from pillar to post or worse e.g. bait dog. Steer well clear of facebook and gumtree and start to look for a place at a reputable rescue for if the worst happens. Ideally a labradoodle rescue.

Please aswell state that you were a previous homeowner and will respect their property as you would your own. I honestly think being honest (and forceful) does the trick as most people can tell you are responsible

I rehomed my dog when i was younger, had no choice as i was made homeless and could not find anywhere that would take someone with pets (most 1 bed properties wont take any pets). I am a little shocked that so many people say 'no' to pets as most families have a dog or a cat. I rehomed my dog to a friend so knew he was going to a good home, i still wish i didnt re-home him though as he was a lovely dog.

I dont think i could do it again but on the other hand 'family/kids must come first', if there is no other option then dont feel bad about having to rehome him.

Have a viewing on house tomorrow, willing to take pets and have called about another house and offered higher deposit and to have carpets cleaned before leaving. They will let me know.

That's for all the advice, if needed will be putting ad in paper and and vets

That's good news and gives me hope. Trouble is, we're in London, so not exactly rural - and on the whole people don't "do" dogs.

Good luck, Lisa.

I was in a similar position. I went ahead and looked at private rentals with the owners and after viewing told them I had a cocker spaniel. Twice the landlords were happy to do the rental. Have you tried private landlords direct rather than the letting agencies?

How do I find a private landlord, I can only seem to find via estate agents