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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think having a pet is selfish?

38 replies

Neversayever · 12/05/2018 12:47

If your landlord doesn’t allow them?

3 people I know have had a puppy or a kitten that they then have to get rid of because their landlord finds out.

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 12/05/2018 12:48

Yep. And stupid.

ChickenOrEgg6 · 12/05/2018 12:49

YANBU.
It's fucking stupid.
It's one thing to have a change of circumstances and no other choice but to rehome them, a completely different one to do something you know will result in losing your pet!

PositivelyPERF · 12/05/2018 12:50

Absolutely agree with you OP. I also get kissed at the number of pets that are got rid of because the owner wants to move into accommodation that doesn’t permit pets.

GardenGeek · 12/05/2018 12:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SneakyGremlins · 12/05/2018 12:53

Estate agent say no pets. Estate agent give the cat a stroke every time they do a flat inspection. They obviously don't object, despite what the tenancy says.

megafatCEObaby · 12/05/2018 12:56

I understand. Unfortunately I'm one of these people though. I've had my cat since 2008 when I was in uni and it was a stupid decision to get a cat at uni, I know it now, I was 19 and an idiot. She's stayed with me through uni, then to 3 different tenancies afterwards. We kept her secret in the last two, though our landlord knows now in our current home and hasn't said anything.

I do feel bad, but I would never give her up. If a landlord said to me to get rid of her I'd just move out. We have children and can't afford to buy a house so are forced to rent currently, and my cat is my family too. I know I am being shit but I am trying to protect her too, she isn't the most friendly cat and would have a hard time being rehomed.

ButFirstTea · 12/05/2018 12:56

I do think it can be irresponsible but it's soul destroying to be stuck in rented properties and feel like you have no control over your home, like how to decorate or decide to get a pet. I think landlords are unnecessarily cruel not allowing pets and I do understand why some people try and get away with it.

ButFirstTea · 12/05/2018 12:58

I say that as someone in rented accommodation with a dog that the landlord knows about and is fine with too. We've been incredibly lucky (and we've also paid a huge extra deposit for the privilege!)

FreudianSlurp · 12/05/2018 12:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LaurieMarlow · 12/05/2018 13:01

Totally agree with butfirst

Having pets is so important for people, it's horrendous that renters are denied that.

HaroldsSocalledBluetits · 12/05/2018 13:01

I can see your pov but really this is just one example of how private sector renting is long overdue an overhaul. It's no longer a short intermediate life stage for lots of people, with more families in this situation than in the 1970s.

As such, six month tenancies and ridiculous stipulations about pets/decorating/hanging bloody pictures ffs are not appropriate. You can't expect a third of the population to have so little agency over their home environment.

That said, with the situation as it is now, it is unwise to take on a commitment that will last a magnitude of time longer than your tenancy will. But I can understand, especially when you've got kids and you want them to have all the normal life experiences that kids do, why people do it.

tillytoodles1 · 12/05/2018 13:50

My daughter lives in a rented house with three dogs, she keeps it spotless though and the landlord, who has dogs himself, was fine with it. She's lucky though, they're not all like that.

Pressuredrip · 12/05/2018 13:53

I have a cat in a no pets allowed rental. Not by choice, it's the last tenants and it kept running back here. I only explained to the landlady when it was sprawled on my bed during an inspection. I don't even like cats tbh, but we look after her well.

Mia184 · 12/05/2018 13:56

I have a cat and any damage she makes is covered by my household insurance. The owner is okay with that.

Rainydaydog · 12/05/2018 13:56

I agree the blanket no pet rules in places otherwise suitable for pets are so unfair. Why not just stipulate the house must be kept in the condition it was first seen. This can be ensured by the deposit which is standard practice anyway. It would obviously be up to the tenants to keep the place clean and stop the pet from damaging anything or pay for repairs.

Birdshitbridgegotme · 12/05/2018 14:00

Yanbu...i know of someone who had a vat since he was a tiny kitten. Got a puppy ,puppy didn't like the now cat ,so said cat was shut away in a room and thrn rehomed. Its so sad. Pets aint disposable

infertilitybitch · 12/05/2018 14:03

I get mad at those who keep tons of pets or really big pets in rented properties that are too small for them. I've been terrified of mahoosive dog where I live. He comes charging out into communal areas knocking us flying on several occasions and it's so unfair on him too keep him in such a tiny flat. And even more unfair to let him run around off leash in communal gardens and shit everywhere because they can't be arsed to actually walk him properly as much as he needs. Ruins it for the rest of us and he'd be much happier elsewhere

BarbarianMum · 12/05/2018 14:06

When my tenants are willing to put down a 3k depisit to cover the cost of possible damage, then they can keep a dog or cat in a second floor flat. How many threads on here do you see about people wanting to rehome their puppy because it chews everything, or the cat cause it pisses everywhere. Do you know how many curtains/carpets/floors/beds/sofas/skirting boards you can replace for a standard £800 deposit? Answer: not many.

NotClear · 12/05/2018 14:13

Is that still legal? I thought new rules don't allow landlords to take more than 6 weeks rent as a deposit, pets or not!

purplelila2 · 12/05/2018 14:13

Oh get a grip why can't people have pets if they wish @BarbarianMum.
Why not ban kids too how many piss shit ruin carpets and draw on walls.

I think it's ridiculous the whole lack of rights tenants over what's their home environment and I say this as a home owner .

purplelila2 · 12/05/2018 14:14

My kids have caused far more damage to my home, carpets, walls than my 2 cats !

LanguidLobster · 12/05/2018 14:20

Oh - I thought you meant in a generic sense before I opened the post and I was going to say in some ways.

My cat is on the tenancy though, I wouldn't take the risk of smuggling her in then it being potentially bad for both of us if discovered.

crazycatgal · 12/05/2018 14:20

Some tenants leave rented properties in an absolute state with thousands of pounds of damage so why not allow pets.

Just say that the property must be kept in its original condition.

silverysky · 12/05/2018 14:20

You don't need a pet. Any animal lover can just befriend visiting wildlife. Hedgehogs, birds, bees. They are good to watch and feed. You can develop suitable habitats for them with plants they like etc.

scaryteacher · 12/05/2018 14:21

I allow my tenants to have cats, and I rent with cats myself, but not dogs, as I don't like dogs. The house is also one I will be living in again, and is set up for cats with catflaps etc, but is not dog friendly.

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