To consider moving from a 2 bed house to a 2 bed flat?

New flat is nearer your support network and away from harassment. Could your ex have the dog full time, at least your little one can still then see the dog. How will you stop the people harassing you from finding out your new address, I think you should be protecting your safety first. Your little one may miss the garden but would have the beach and the garden will be less relevant as he gets older anyway.

I can see why you may not want to, but I don’t think it will be seen as a reasonable rejection as they don’t take the dog into account, and a garden isn’t essential for a child. You may not be given another option.

Not with a dog.

The thing I hated about living in a flat was having nowhere to dry washing, pop outside to get the sun of my face with a cuppa. For me it would depend on the size of the balcony. But with a dog and a child I would worry about safety, noise and getting stuff up and down the stairs all the time . I would say no.

Just saw this

I think you're making the right choice if its for your boy and dog

Have you tried homeswapper? Xx

Well, op

I had a house with a garden, a 6yo dd and a cat who liked going outdoors 🥺

I swapped to get closer to the city, to a flat. I sound mad, but it was the right choice. Better area, closer to the city centre

I would suggest:
Thick carpet with thick underlay - you'll be tempted to skimp here but don't

Check out parks and playgrounds near by

Is the area safe for daily dog walks?

Will your 5yo understand the no garden, will he cope?

Will he be able to move schools easily?

Will the move help your mental health?

Best of luck xx

Dcat has been on walks and they will resume when its warmer

Wait it out. You will thank yourself later.

I've lived in a flat without a garden with a dog and it while it was doable it was not ideal. We lived opposite the beach which was great for walks and play, but up and down 2 flights of stairs every time she needed to do her business was a pain several times a day in the Winter time. You have a child which makes it more difficult as you can't pop out late at night to take your dog out or in the early hours,while your child is asleep.Whereas with your garden you can let the dog out anytime in between walks can't you.

How are you going to do 50:50 with a child in school if you are moving far enough away to gain a support network? <misses point entirely>

It could work, especially the beach instead of a garden but it's likely the dog won't be allowed on that for most of the year either so I would only entertain it if you can amicably rehome the dog with your ex. It could always come to you when they go on holiday.

Her family are really banging on the door and threatening you with your mutual child in the house? That's staggering.

If you are being harassed then surely a flat with peace is much better than a house with harassment?

Take advice before rejecting if there's a risk you will prevent any further offers being made.

I think location is more important than a garden, personally.

Although the dog may need to go permanently to your ex, which would be difficult I can see.

I don't have a dog but do a a flat. However it's like the bottom half of a house and has private garden. Surely something like that is ok.

Actually this is a current issue as lots of people own dogs and they are defo part of the family! think the law is actually changing to allow people to keep their pets.

Yes, pets are generally allowed in UK flats, but it depends on your agreement, with new laws (Renters' Rights Act) making it easier for tenants to get permission from landlords, who can't unreasonably refuse requests for pets, though good reasons like allergies or unsuitable property size are valid refusals, with a 28-day response required. For leaseholders, the freeholder's rules apply, potentially needing their consent too, but tenants can challenge unfair denials.

Freeholders also generally can't unreasonably deny permission, though lease conditions must be followed.

I don't think it would be deemed an unreasonable rejection when you have a five year old child. Emphasise that your child has been brought up with a garden and the transition to just a balcony with be detrimental to their mental health (or something like that). Either way, can you not exchange for another house in a different area?

Dog stays full timexwith your ex.
Take the flat

Too impractical in general. The noise issue that often comes with living in a flat would put me off, never mind having no garden. Chances are your dog won’t like the flat as much as the house so he’ll be barking more.

lots of people live in flats with dogs but i don't think it's particularly practical if you've also got a 5yr old and the dog is used to having a garden. every time it needs to pee you'll have to put a lead on the dog, coat and shoes on the 5yr old and go outside. Do not underestimate how convenient being able to throw your own back door open for it to go in the garden is! And your neighbours will hate you if it barks during the day.

Surely lots of people have dogs in flats? In Spain, France and Italy I see people with dogs all the time, and mostly in flats as far as I can see. If you turn it down, maybe you will be offered a house but in a far less desirable place?

I’ve lived in a flat before with 2 large dogs however it was a big flat on the ground floor and we had a shared garden. It was fine for the 2 years I was there but it was a pain and I didn’t have a kid.
I don’t think this is practical for you at this stage, at 5 you can’t leave your kid alone whilst you take the dog out for wee which means you’re then all having to get up and dressed at midnight or 6am or whatever other inconvenient time the dog decides it wants the loo!
I also found that living in a flat was noisier especially on the ground floor as more people were coming and going to the other flats so if your dog is already a bit of a barker it’s going to make it worse and upset your neighbours and you don’t want that given you’re moving for a fresh start.

No garden for a child and dog who are used to one will be very hard

i wouldn’t swap

I’m in an HA flat with no outside space, not even a balcony. If you were going flat to flat, I’d say to grab it with both hands. House with a garden to a flat with a balcony? Not a chance. The sound proofing is non existent. The heat in the summer is unbearable and a balcony won’t make up for that (especially if your neighbours use it to smoke on, or talk loudly about how annoying your dog is).

The right place will come along. Unless her family are banging on your windows, it’s too much to give up.

@iReallyThinkRoseHadRoomOnThatFloatingDoor
Hold off for a while.
Are you on any housing association/council house swapping sites?
Its easier to swap a house for a house than a flat for a house, if it doesn't work out in the flat you could find yourself stuck.
Personally I wouldn't swap a house for a flat especially with a little 'un and a dog especially as he is a barker, your neighbours won't be best pleased

I admire you for taking such good care of your dog and not giving up on him.