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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think i'll never find a hosue that accepts DSS and dog :(

47 replies

SquirrelNuts · 29/11/2013 20:55

DCs and myself are trying to move out of house that lying cheating arsehole exP has rented before we met.
I have my parents as guarantor, and they're helping me pay for fees and deposit. I'm not working at the moment but am hoping to find something at least part time when DS starts school January.
But trying to find a house that accepts DSS and my little dog is a lot more difficult than I expected.
I'm a good tenant I'm very clean, my dog is very clean.
Im very reluctant to go straight to a landlord as this one has always been a pain about fixing/replaceing anything (e.g we currently have to use a screwdriver to have a hot/cold shower, that's been going on for a year) so I've been trying through estate agents.
Its really beginning to get me down now, I just want out of this house and a fresh start for us :(

OP posts:

Original poster

SquirrelNuts · 29/11/2013 21:52

thanks Eliza22 really couldn't think how to spell for a moment then!

OP posts:

hiddenhome · 29/11/2013 21:52

Some insurance companies won't provide Landlords Insurance to the Landlord if he/she is renting to DSS. Lying about receiving DSS can invalidate the Landlord's insurance and put their house at risk if there was a fire, flood or structural damage caused by the tenant.

pianodoodle · 29/11/2013 21:52

I've found quite often that when agencies specify no pets on adverts it's worth querying further as sometimes that's just their standard wording and on asking the owner they aren't so strict if you explain it isn't a dog that's going to tear the house apart!

Some are rigid but not always.

pianodoodle · 29/11/2013 21:55

Also, when we had to move out of our last house rented through an agency I put an ad on gumtree with our requirements and we're contacted by the owner of the house we now rent. May be worth a try not everyone wants to let through an agency although you still need to make sure it's all legal etc...

HappyMummyOfOne · 29/11/2013 22:52

I am amazed at how quickly people say just to lie, quite a reflection on todays society.

Its the LL's asset, if there is a fire and his tennant has lied his insurance will be invalid. Would the tennant then pay the rebuilding cost? I doubt it. DSS tennants carry a far higher risk and many mortgages and insurance policies will not cover them.

KerwhizzedMyself · 29/11/2013 22:57

Yes, quite a reflection on how desperate people are to get a roof over their heads.

But definitely don't lie. It's lose lose for everyone in the end.

utreas · 29/11/2013 22:58

I'd get rid of the dog as it one of the two main causes of your problem. With the DSS could you offer a lot of rent up front?

CMK86 · 29/11/2013 23:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

trashcanjunkie · 29/11/2013 23:15

It's hardly the crime of the century, and I know lots of houses with dogs that don't smell at all! We have in the past fibbed about having a dog, and it was fine. I had a back up plan to say I was looking after the dog for the afternoon if I was caught. I'm certainly not a habitual liar, but the dog is one of the family to some people, and you do things you'd otherwise not consider. We don't have that problem anymore as we are allowed pets in the current home which in the ten years we've been here has not and does not smell of dogs.

Joysmum · 29/11/2013 23:29

I can't believe the rotton advice being given on here! For gods sake DONT LIE!

I'm a landlord myself. It's standard wording in tenancy agreements to include no pets.

If I like the look of the tenants and can speak to a previous landlord I will accept pets with an additional deposit and make it clear I will uphold the professional clean requirements of the tenancy agreement when they move out. It may help for you to offer this without being prompted.

If the tenants aren't financially sound and on benefits then I will only accept them with a guarantor, preferably 2.

caruthers · 29/11/2013 23:42

We spent what seemed like ages to find a house that took pets.

But they are out there OP I wish you luck.

Pixel · 30/11/2013 00:16

My sister found a place that took pets by asking! A lot of people will say no pets to cover themselves but once they've spoken to a person and seen what sort of pet it is they can change their minds. My sister's landlord is quite happy to have her gentle labrador, even though the original ad said no pets. I asked my own letting agent about it because everything in his window says 'no pets' but he said they want to deter people with aggressive-looking dogs etc and it's worth asking in each individual case.

AgentZigzag · 30/11/2013 00:45

But the OP's not looking to get rid of her dog utreas, she's already said she's part of the deal.

trashcanjunkie · 30/11/2013 01:47

And if you are able to pay the rent yourself whilst waiting for hb claim, you are not under obligation to tell anyone you're on benefits. It's your private business and you can have direct payments. When you're back on your feet it won't matter. That is perfectly reasonable.

LittlePeaPod · 30/11/2013 04:46

I wouldn't lie Op its not a great idea. I am a landlord and finding out a tennent as been lying would break all trust and I would want them to leave the property. I don't allow pets but that's because I had a horrendous experience with a tennent that had a dog. The place got trashed and it cost a lot of money (more than the bond) to replace all the carpets, banister and parts of the skirting. I now won't risk having tennents with pets because of that one family.

I would not get disheartened though. I do know there are lots of other landlords that are totally cool with pets. I would really try and go through an estate agent rather than direct even if its to at least protect your bond and make sure repairs are done. You don't want to end up with a dodgy arsehole landlord.

SolomanDaisy · 30/11/2013 07:43

Just ask them to ask the landlord and say you'll have all carpets and soft furnishings professionally cleaned when you move out. We have our house registered as no pets with the agency, but since everyone has a dog related sob story it turns out I find it impossible to say no.

Fleta · 30/11/2013 08:37

I definitely concur with the people advising you not to lie. I'm a landlord and we don't rent to DSS (condition of our Buy-to-let and our LL insurance) and our tenancy agreements state "no pets" as standard.

However if you approached me and explained the situation we'd come to some agreement i.e. larger deposit, professional clean on leaving etc. However, if you lied and I found out, I would serve you notice on the spot as any trust I had would have been broken.

Good luck OP - do approach LL's directly as decent ones are out there.

Theodorous · 30/11/2013 08:48

Without exception my best tenants have been pet owners. I offer to have the carpets cleaned every 6 months for free if they allow access.

Theodorous · 30/11/2013 08:51

Only here would someone say get rid of the dog. Absolutely bloody lovely.
I wish you all the luck OP, you sound lovely.

rallytog1 · 30/11/2013 09:29

I'm a LL and our adverts always say no pets because we don't want to feel obligated to accept a tenant who comes along with 7 cats, 4 dogs and a load of small furries. However, if a tenant tells us they have a pet, we are normally happy to consider it, although may ask for a higher deposit and specify a clause about the level of cleaning that is to be fine at the end of the tenancy.

As a pp said, unless a landlord intends to live in the property themselves at some point, it's generally more important to find a tenant that pays the rent on time and won't totally wreck the place. So most landlords I know would consider a pet, even if their adverts state otherwise.

Mumsyblouse · 30/11/2013 09:48

Our rental agency accepts 50% extra deposit for cats/dogs. It's a lot of money, but it is possible.

GalaxyDefender · 30/11/2013 10:19

Do not hide the dog. But equally, don't get rid of the dog either.
If you see a place you like, do try asking the LL/agency if they'll consider it, like other people have said, some will if you only have one small dog.

I remember trying to find a place while on benefits and it was so hard. But our new LL is lovely, will talk to me and DS on the street if we see him, is always willing to help, so it was worth the wait. He also loves our cat
and hugs for you, hope you find something soon.

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