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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dog in rental property

218 replies

CaptainObviousTwo · 01/08/2017 14:49

Moved into a new house on Friday. Standard tenancy, no pets allowed which I didn't really pay much attention to when signing the contract aso I had no pets.
Roll on the day after my tenancy starts and my Mum has to go into hospital unexpectedly. In the heat of everything, I agree to take her dog to stay at mine whilst she goes in, not really thinking about it wih everything else that was going on.
At lunchtime I got a call from the Estate Agents saying the landlord had been past the property and seen the dog, and dogs aren't allowed.
Well, fuck. I hadn't even thought of that. For context I work in a pretty stressful job as well as running two online businesses and study an OU degree on the side so I've not really slept in days with the house move and didn't think the situation through.

I've gone back to them and explained. I am pretty positive I won't find alternative arrangements for the dog.
I have offered an additional deposit to cover the temporary change and suggested an additional contract labelling me liable for any additional wear to the house.

Dog is clean, fleaed and beautifully behaved and genuinely won't cause any damage. unlike if I had a toddler

I haven't heard back yet and am panicking. I could just put my head on my desk and cry, I'm so stressed.

OP posts:
Flowersandfootballs · 01/08/2017 15:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Huskylover1 · 01/08/2017 15:26

Stay at your Mum's?

Or place with a home boarder. There are hundreds listed on The Good Dog Guide.

www.thegooddogguide.com/dog-home-boarding-sitter-sitting

Floralnomad · 01/08/2017 15:26

Completely agree with pp , a dog , any dog can cope with kennels , they may not like it but they're not going to die . Your options are kennels , home boarder , pet sitter at your mums house or you stay at your mums until she is out .

Aquamarine1029 · 01/08/2017 15:28

I'd be very wary of pissing off your landlord right when you move in. I'm sorry about your mom, but if I were the property owner I'd be very upset. And I love dogs, but I would never allow a renter to have one. I say try the kennel. The dog may be fine.

perper · 01/08/2017 15:31

Ugh, I forgot that some people on mumsnet think of animals as objects.

The LL cannot ask you to leave. (Well, they could ask I guess- just like they could ask for a million pounds from the Queen.) Please don't listen to anyone who says that.

They could decide not to extend the contract when it expires- to be honest, assuming the dog has long gone by then and you are otherwise an impeccable tenant, I doubt they would do this in most areas as they may not want to risk no tenant for a few weeks etc (it costs a lot to have an empty house). If you're in a hot rental market e.g. central London I might be more concerned about this.

Poor reference is also possible, but again unless they have evidence that you've trashed the house I wouldn't worry too much.

If the dog has gone home within a few weeks you really shouldn't be as concerned as people here are making out. Dogs are not disposable, and children do need to help out parents when they go into hospital- life happens.

From the LL's perspective, they probably think it is your dog and you've tried to be sneaky. Tell them when the dog returns to your mum and thank them for their understanding in such a difficult time. End of issue.

If you're super concerned, send old photos of the dog with your mum in her garden or something, and a hospital parking ticket, and tell them firmly that this is a genuine temporary situation.

K1092902 · 01/08/2017 15:31

I'm not a landlord OP but i do have a cottage that we rent out as a holiday let that is strictly no pets.

I couldn't care less if people told me their pet was the most well behaved in the world- unfortunately, and im not saying you, there are people who lie and ruin it for everybody else.

We've had people to stay before who have brought pets without our knowledge- we've replaced furniture because its been chewed, carpets/bedding/mattresses because they have been used as toilets and we only ask for £200 As a security deposit so at times we have found we have been left completely out of pocket for a week because of damage of others incapability to train a dog.

Not to mention- if the dog is that sensitive, are you sure it isn't howling the place down when your going out to work in the morning?

I completely understand the situation and while I am sympathetic to you id be pretty pissed off if I was your LL.

You need to either find a local petsitter or put it in kennels. Or stay at your mum's as PP suggested.

perper · 01/08/2017 15:33

(Staying at your mum's, if it is local, would also be a good option, but obviously may not work. I would not put the dog in a kennel if you say it will not cope- partly for the dog's sake, but also for your mum's as it would be highly stressful for her too)

somewheresomehow · 01/08/2017 15:37

Could you move in your mums while shes in hospital ?
My DS is in a rental would love, lizards , cats but the rental states no pets and thats it, so until he can get a mortgage on a house he and his GF will be pet free

Penny4UrThoughts · 01/08/2017 15:39

I agree with those that say live at your mums till she's out of hospital. It's not worth taking the risk of losing your tenancy.

Also explain, be very apologetic and say that you have managed to figure something out.

MrsTerryPratchett · 01/08/2017 15:40

I work with tenants. And believe me, if you start a tenancy by appealing to rights, you are in for a bumpy ride. No, the landlord can't just throw you out. But having a good relationship with your landlord is important. When I rented out my flat, I did lots of favours for the tenants, because they were wonderful and great tenants. Had they started the tenancy saying that they were breaking the rules and I couldn't do anything about it... not so much.

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 01/08/2017 15:42

What Mrs pratchett said Smile

Wetcappuccino · 01/08/2017 15:44

Please contact the charity Cinnamon Trust who deal with exactly this sort of situation (can help with short term fostering nationwide). Hope you get it worked out.

stressystressy · 01/08/2017 15:44

Captain where are you? There are plenty of people who offer to board dogs in a home environment (we are one of them). Especially if the dog is well behaved and not too big you shouldn't have too much of a problem finding someone to care for it in the short term.

If you are in London feel free to PM me.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 01/08/2017 15:45

Yes stay at your mum's and apologise to LL. As you are a brand new tenant he probably thinks the dogs are yours even if you say not.

Original poster
CaptainObviousTwo · 01/08/2017 15:46

I can't stay at my Mums, it's too far away.
Trust me, the dog won't cope with kennels. Obviously "he won't die" if he went in, as put by a PP, but he wouldn't cope.
It's a moot point anyway as kennels here are few and far between and booked up.

I've stuck a plea on FB and looked at A LOT of alternatives. There aren't any.

Looking into Cinnamon trust.

I know that I'm being biased (and sensitive) but I would think very little of someone who would evict me in these circumstances. And quite frankly if he does force me to rehome the dog, I will not be staying beyond my 6 months purely based on wanting a humane LL.
The house was on the market for months and months so he'LL struggle to find a replacement.

The reference thing isn't an issue, I have four glowing references from previous tenancies.

I want to be a model tenant and not pissed anyone off of course, but I'm not feeling very in control of the circumstances here.

OP posts:
SD60659 · 01/08/2017 15:46

Mixed opinions, as expected. People are correct to say that landlords do have the right to specify whether pets are allowed in their property or not, after all they own the place. However, given the circumstances and the fact that you've offered additional deposits and offered to cover any damage (which isn't as likely as some people make out) then it's more a question of is the landlord being reasonable.
My personal view (if LL won't allow it even with the above in mind) is that LL is a bit of a tool. Some dogs have been known to cause damage to property, but having kept dogs all my life I can honestly say the only thing mine have ever damaged is my socks (current dog has a thing about shredding them)

It's a dog, not a grizzly bear. Your landlord, provided he/she is a reasonable person and not a robot should allow it.

Regards the technical breach of your tenancy, don't sweat it too much. People are allowed to be imperfect, allowed to make mistakes and we all bend the rules sometimes. Landlords are definitely no strangers to any of those. In my experience that is...

GeorgeTheHamster · 01/08/2017 15:46

No pets means no pets. If you work full time you can't look after a dog properly anyway and it sounds as though you certainly don't need the hassle right now. Find someone who looks after dogs in their home if you don't like the idea of kennels.

perper · 01/08/2017 15:47

Disclaimer: I have said all of the above on the assumption that:

  1. The dog is a 'temporary fixture'
  2. The dog is one of the many dogs that genuinely will not chew/toilet/howl
  3. You will in all other ways be an exemplary tenant- quiet, polite with neighbours, keep the house in good order, always pay on time, accommodating to maintenance people etc.
  4. You are not on a short-term contract

In this situation you do need to be super careful to make clear that you meet the criteria for point 3- which I think you've already started to do, given what you've offered the LL. Anything you can do to 'prove' to them this is a genuine situation would help.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 01/08/2017 15:49

Could you get in touch with a local dogs charity (NOT RSPCA) and ask them for any foster homes who could help until your Mum is back on her feet? Then you can tell the landlord you are taking steps to sort it out. Good luck!

perper · 01/08/2017 15:50

SD60659 Completely agree!

CaptainObviousTwo I'd be of the same frame of mind- if the house was sitting empty before you, any sane LL wouldn't dream of losing a good tenant because of such a situation. You're fine- please don't worry.

AnUtterIdiot · 01/08/2017 15:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 01/08/2017 15:52

If you work full time the dog will be at your house alone all day

How will he be with that? If he doesn't cope with kennels and the same lack of interaction

What if your landlord receives complaints from your neighbours. What if the dog barks all day while you're out?

Honestly. Try cinnamon trust. And keep trying other charities. Your local vet might have a list of places.

I really wouldn't want to piss off your new landlord first thing. or get a black mark from the agent

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 01/08/2017 15:54

In that case no harm in asking LL esp if your mum is likely to be home soon. He wouldn't be unreasonable to refuse though.

Wolfiefan · 01/08/2017 15:57

The Cinnamon Trust does foster for just this eventuality. The dog wouldn't be in kennels but with pre approved people. Please do contact them.
And no dogs does mean no dogs. You could end up evicted. You really could.
So sorry you are facing this stress. Sorry to hear your mum isn't well. Flowers

Alibongo67 · 01/08/2017 15:58

Perper, you obviously have a total disregard for other people.
It is not the landlords problem and the terms were agreed at the beginning of the tenancy.

Yes it is a difficult situation and Im sure if explained there may be leniency, but for now the dog should remain at the mothers house and be dog sat there.
I hope your mum makes a full and speedy recovery.