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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:
dudsville · 01/08/2017 22:02

I hate the way this thread has gone. Anyway. Dog lover and owner here. You took the dog in not thinking about your tenancy contract. You were quickly informed that it's a breach. The thing to do would be to live with the dog at your mother's. I hate the no pets rule but it's not your house, you rent to people who decide the rules.

Amaried · 01/08/2017 22:08

In a landlord and would absolutely evict in those circumstances.
Breaking the rules especially so early in Tennancy would lead me to the think you'd be a nightmare Tennant

Peachy92 · 01/08/2017 22:24

If you're circumstances change and you inform the agency and landlord that it's only temporary-offer to add an additional damage clause as you've done, then they are just being ridiculous. It's usually based on a bad experience from another tenant who didn't keep the house clean. Dogs who are house trained may well have accidents but any decent person cleans that straight away and it certainly doesn't destroy the house. Kennels are extortionate at the best of times on a short stay and they're not nice are they? You don't dump your parents in a home lightheartedly do you? It's the same thing when you're responsible for, and care for a pet! Any damage caused is covered in the amended contract, and they're well within their rights to carry out an inspection in six months to ensure it's not become permanent. Landlords are just pickier these days as they can afford to be. Wait and see what they come back with before panicking.

choochooo · 01/08/2017 22:29

Dog lover here! Also a landlord.

I'm afraid I'd be very cross if a tenant did this, after signing a lease that said no pets. Fair enough if you approach landlord to ask if you can keep a pet at the property, but if they say no then that's their decision. You don't own the property, they do.

Those who say it's fine to keep a dog as they don't cause problems. You can tell as soon as you walk into a property that someone keeps a dog. They do smell and it's very hard to get rid of that smell.

I am so sorry that your mum is ill, it's awful and it's very good of you to offer to take her dog. But YABVU to expect your landlord to be ok with this in their property when they have stated no pets and you agreed to this.

perper · 01/08/2017 22:58

Amaried I'd love to know how you would go about 'evicting' without costing yourself thousands and having to wait at least 6 months.

I think the OP has made the situation fairly clear and has established that a) it is the last resort b) the LL seems fairly amenable to the situation and c) they are not taking the piss. Let's all wish the mother well and best luck to the OP- I think there's been enough berating and talk of evicting (which as I have repeatedly said is not possible).

Smile
IndieRar · 01/08/2017 23:35

If the dog is insured it's likely that it will cover dogsitting or kennel costs when owner in hospital. Ours covers that. If you live somewhere fairly urban, have you looked at Pawshake or asked at a local vet if they can recommend an at home dog sitter for the duration? Our vets has a noticeboard with ads up for that kinda thing. Our dog has never been in kennels, wouldn't cope either, but absolutely loves our dog sitter who she goes to occasionally.

GetOutOfMYGarden · 02/08/2017 06:57

OP, how long is your mum likely to be away from home? Is she likely to be home within the week, or is it a more long term stay?

Taking the dog in for a few days in an emergency is different to something where this may turn out to be a permanent arrangement

Roussette · 02/08/2017 07:27

OP, I do hope your Mum gets well soon.

However... even though it looks like you might have a short respite.. you really ought to carry on trying to find somewhere else for the dog. What if your Mum has to convalesce for months and so this isn't short term?

If I were a LL I would be very pissed off at this, I'm sorry to say it's not fair to demonise the LL for having this rule when you signed up to this tenancy knowing it. I know what's happened is an emergency and you are offering deep cleans etc etc but it's like anything with a business arrangement - give an inch and people can take a mile. So the LL lets you have the dog there for a week - 6 months later dog is still there etc. You might say no no, I will sorted it by then but how does LL actually know that?

everasbeforee · 02/08/2017 08:01

The replies on this thread are ridiculous.

While I understand the landlords concern in my experience pets cause a lot less damage than children. I am a renter, I have two cats and a dog. I also think it depends on what breed of dog you have. We have a chihuahua. She causes no issues, neither do the cats. She doesn't smell because she's so small.

Also to the person who said it's a dog not a child, you're an asshole.

lucydogz · 02/08/2017 08:12

Isn't there anyone else in your family, or a friend, who can have the dog? Lot's of posters have made suggestions about alternatives like The Cinnamon Trust, have you considered any of them? Or are you just looking for some affirmation?
Sorry about your mum, and you're obviously in a difficult situation, but pissing off your landlord won't make things easier.

choochooo · 02/08/2017 09:38

It's nothing to do with comparing dogs to children, or the mess they make, or anything to do with how good the dog is.

It's to do with the OP breaking a tenancy agreement and at the start of her tenancy. It doesn't matter what this is about, to a LL it's the breach of tenancy that is important.

everasbeforee · 02/08/2017 10:10

Yes but it's not just as simple as being able to evict due to breach of tenancy. As others have said you have to prove that damage has been done to the property due to breach of contract. It's a LOT more money to take someone to court to evict them than it is to deep clean a property after the tenant leaves. Realistically unless the tenant has a menagerie, the isn't going to be that damaged.

lucydogz · 02/08/2017 10:44

I would be surprised if the LL evicted OP, but (if I was the LL) I'd think twice about giving her a good reference or renewing the lease. Why risk it?
Also YABVVU to say the the LL is BU.

rwalker · 02/08/2017 10:47

no pets means no pets, tbh if you were my tenant i would kick you out.You signed the agreement you have to stick to it .This give the impression to the ll you don't care about tenancy rule and do as you want this would be a red flag for LL

perper · 02/08/2017 12:02

The LL is not being unreasonable- they have said they'll reassess in a week.

The OP is not being unreasonable- they are doing their best in a difficult situation and have no other option.

The only people unreasonably threatening eviction are here. Please don't make silly comments without reading what has already been established! Wink

specialsubject · 02/08/2017 12:20

can't find the OP's update among all the ranting, but from the recent post it looks like she has done the obvious, contacted the landlord and the landlord has said to keep him/her posted.

it's not hard really.

I would expect the Guardian-swallowers to be yelling 'evict' but it is a bit worrying if any landlords think it is that easy! If the OP had instantly started a drug den, wrecked the joint and instantly stopped rent payment it would still take months to get her out.

(bleeding obvious essential MN disclaimer - I am not suggesting that she is going to do either!)

TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge · 02/08/2017 12:45

she doesn't smell because she's so small Hmm

Viserion · 02/08/2017 13:01

I am a LL. I actually prefer tenants with pets. They tend to be more reliable, longer term tenants than petless ones. Probably because they find it harder to find properties. I ask for a slightly higher deposit and that they keep the garden clear of mess. Have never had a issue with destructive behaviour or noise so far. And they usually keep the place cleaner than other tenants as they don't want to be seen as problematic.

PersianCatLady · 02/08/2017 13:04

Whereabouts in the country do you live?

What sort of dog is it?

PersianCatLady · 02/08/2017 13:06

OP - Although there is very little a LL can do during the life of the tenancy because judges hate to evict paying tenants at the best of times, at the end of the tenancy term you may find that the tenancy isn't renewed and you aren't given a great reference.

InfiniteSheldon · 02/08/2017 13:08

I'm a landlord I would make an exception for this it's not an intentional breach it's a mistake. I'd ask you to be careful and to pay for any additional wear and tear but that should be minimal as long as it's a few weeks bit six months

PersianCatLady · 02/08/2017 13:12

no pets means no pets, tbh if you were my tenant i would kick you out
Do you have any idea of how the rental system works in the UK??

PersianCatLady · 02/08/2017 13:14

In a landlord and would absolutely evict in those circumstances
No judge in the land would allow you to evict a tenant in these circumstances during the life of the tenancy.

thecatneuterer · 02/08/2017 14:53

PersianCatLady - exactly. It worries me that the people bandying around eviction threats really are landlords as they obviously have no idea how the law on eviction works. They could not renew a contract, certainly, but they couldn't evict.

aaaaargghhhhelpme · 02/08/2017 14:54

Did you have any luck with the cinnamon trust op?

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