To think having a pet is selfish?

[Neversayever]

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.

We paid an extra deposit for our cats and if i left this house in the condition it was when we moved in i would have to dirty the kitchen units , mess up the cooker so it smokes when you use it, put dirty marks on all the carpets, put finger prints on all the light switches and plugs, and block up the shower outlet, my house is now cleaner than when we moved in

YABU

Pets are a life enhancing joy. Why should all those forced into private rentals be denied simply because our housing market is so buggered that they will never be able to afford their own home. Bear in mind the crazy prices are in part due to private landlords hoovering up properties and forcing the price higher.

IMO it is the landlords that are selfish in imposing such restrictions on people who have no choice but to rent. I would like to see much stricter controls on landlords in the areas of rent control, property standards and unreasonable exclusions such as no pets.

BTW I am a homeowner and animal lover. I have no axe to grind and I certainly don’t condone flaky pet ownership. But I fundamentally disagree with you OP that the tenants are selfish in this scenario. It is the landlords who need to be taken to task on this and other issues.

I own my own house and have always had pets, currently a dog. I am adamant that if I ever rented it out, I would most definitely allow pets and most landlords do not and I know how fantastic it is to have a pet and how much my pets have helped me through depression and given me a purpose to carry on.

completely agree LaGatta. I would do the same.

Saying the property must be left in the condition in which it was let is not legal because, obviously, you have to allow for wear and tear. In 10 years of renting I've never had a tenant treat the property badly - possibly because I take up references on the people I rent to and treat them well. The problem with pets is, even lovely people can have a stressed cat or chewy puppy - and the damage they can cause is astronomical. And then what? I sue people for money they don't have to fix things up again?

I can see the arguement for more flexibility if rentals are unfurnished and long term - and if the property is suitable for pets.

As a landlord I would much prefer no pets. In fact I believe it may not be allowed any more to stipulate no pets. You can say no pets without permission which gives a bit of a say over type of dog\cat matched to suitability of property. A larger deposit does help a bit but not much. We normally have to do extensive deep clean, often door frame repairs, always replace the carpets. Given a choice between a tenant with a dog and one without is not tricky. Too many people leave the dog all day when they are at work. There are a lot of irresponsible dog owners, not just people who rent.

BarbarianMum...I can understand your concerns but there are ways around it. E.g I have a friend renting with a cat who is lucky to have a reasonable landlord. They came to an agreement that she put down £750 extra deposit that could be used to make good any cat related damage at the end of the tenancy if required (or returned if no damage of course).

This is a reasonable temporary solution, but I think the longer term solution is more protection for tenants at law and preventing unreasonable exclusions by landlords.

I've got tenants who request a dog, but they both work full time. I know they want to tell me three will walk home every lunchtime to let the god out in their half hour break, but that's a very quick 20 minute turnout and a very long day for a dog to be alone all week.

Sorry for the dyslexia!

Obviously I meant dog

I’m a landlord and allow dogs as I’m an animal lover and think it’s heartbreaking that people stuck in rental properties can’t have a pet

I have always had lovely tenants who have left the property imacculately.

Agree op. Horrible for the pet.