Desperately need a rental property that allows a dog - leaving controlling relationship

[PositiveThings]

I'm quietly preparing to leave my controlling and emotionally abusive H. I know it will be worse for me financially, but I don't care: I just absolutely cannot stay in the house (joint owned/mortgaged) once I tell him I want a divorce because I'm already on the edge mentally, and he'll be even worse once he knows.

So I need to rent somewhere, but every single place I look at states no pets.

My dog is really good: toilet trained, quiet, small, doesn't shed hair. He causes no damage at all and I know 100% he'd be a good tenant and wouldn't cause a landlord any issues.

Has anyone any ideas how I can broach this please? There's a letting agent in my village that has a few ideal properties. Should I phone them and explain? Email? Offer a larger deposit (not sure that's allowed?), or offer to pay 6 months rent upfront or something? Be honest and explain I'm leaving an abusive marriage and appeal to the agent?

Also, I've not rented for 25 years: I've no idea how it works anymore. Will I need to prove my income to show I can afford rent? My income is quite low and wouldn't be enough to prove I can afford monthly rent, but I have savings that I intend to use to cover a year's rent until I buy somewhere and my divorce is sorted. Will this be accepted? Is there anything else I should know?

Thanks so much in advance for any help anyone can give me.

Yes, it's always worth speaking to agents, plenty of landlords have a blanket "no pets" rule but will bend it in the right circumstances. They may ask you to pay an extra deposit because of the dog.

And yes, be honest about your situation, it can only help.

Landlords aren't allowed to ask for extra pet deposit. As you only have one small dog that will definitely work in your favour I'm sure.

Good luck with your journey ahead.I would offer 6 months rent up front plus deposit and extra for the dog in case of damage.Some landlords will accept pets but if you offer money up front they are more likely to accept you can only ask.Here where I live rents are very high and the demand is far more than properties available hopefully your area is better than here.You May have to find someone who will look after your dog for you until you can find something if not but important you leave soon.

Technically, landlords are no longer legally allowed to have a blanket no pets rule. They can of course decline to lease to you without specifying why, but a letting agent should consider your application.

I'd heard that, but I'm still seeing all the adverts with 'No pets, no smoking' etc on them. I wondered if that rule hadn't been put in place yet?

Thanks everyone for the tips. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Women's Aid will help you.

If all else fails, do you know about organisations that will foster your pet for a while, as you're an abuse survivor?

But it sounds like you might be able to find somewhere.

Ask a couple of estate agents what they need re references.

Have you checked whether you might be eligible for Universal Credit if you can't afford the rent?

I've done the Universal Credit calculator and because I have savings I'm not eligible. I'm okay for the rent: I've enough in savings to cover at least a year. I just wasn't sure if rental agencies looked at proof of income to make sure rent can be afforded. If they did that, then on paper I'd look like I couldn't afford it.

Speak to the rental companies and suggest a larger deposit or agree to deep cleaning when you leave

I didn't know about the fostering. I'd rather not go down that route as I love my dog and want him with me, but it's good to know as a back-up. H will move heaven and earth to keep the dog himself - if he found out I was considering fostering he'd be furious.

I'll look at Women's Aid as well: thank you.

They usually will ask for three months payslips but if you can show proof of your savings and explain you intend to use that, I can’t see why that would be a problem. They may ask for a guarantor though. As for the dog I would definitely ask - many landlords will be lenient on this despite what the advert says

Local authorities have some availabilty for over 55 housing, as you are leaving an abusive relationship the la may have a duty to house you. (they do place slightly younger people in these flats) Some accept pets, rent is cheap although properties tend to be on the smaller side.

Are your details on ddog's registration details op? Ddogs are now classed as property should your ex try to keep him.

We let a property saying ‘no pets’ and I think all our tenants have had pets. This is because the pets and tenants were reasonable.

Definitely speak to the agents. If possible, show them the dog!

PM me whereabouts you are or want to live Op

Not sure where you are but national trust usually have no problem with pets.

Yes, he's registered in my name at the vet's and also on his microchip.

So does this mean that legally he'd be mine and H couldn't keep him? He will definitely use the dog to try and torture me.

Women's Aid will definitely help you. Please contact them.