NDN said I can’t get a dog

[Bluelily87]

This is my first post but have been lurking for a while.

My DP and I own a flat which is a first floor maisonette in London. We have been talking about getting a puppy for a while but haven’t yet taken the plunge. We are currently looking after a friend’s dog while she is on holiday and thought we would treat it as a bit of a trial run (although we know a puppy would be much more work). So far it has gone really well.

So downstairs have moved in fairly recently and are renting. I bumped into the guy as I was returning from a walk with friend’s ddog. He told me that he girlfriend was allergic and didn’t know we had a dog when they moved in. I said we were only looking after him for 2 weeks but we’re thinking of getting a puppy in the near future. He told me I couldn’t and he would sue me if I did. I was very taken aback and basically said nothing and went into my flat.

AIBU in thinking that we can get a dog if we want? There is a small communal corridor then our flats and gardens are obviously complete separate. I’m the only one who cleans the communal corridor anyway and I don’t mind doing this even daily if that helps. I don’t want to make anyone ill but we’ve had the dog here for over a week and she’s been fine. Just don’t know what to do as I really want a dog

They can.always.move.and rent.somewhere that has a.no dog policy

Wolfiefan, I bloody love your dog. Please tell me he doesn't get through what appears to be an agility tunnel in that paddock? That I would love to see.

(Sorry about tangent)

OP, your neighbour is a twat and you should go ahead and get a dog unless your lease says otherwise.

I have quite serious allergies to some animals but even I don't react if theyre in other people's houses. You'll be fine, just dont groom it in the hall.

As an aside, cockerpoos are lovely but sadly not hypoallergenic.

There’s no committee or anything. It’s a Victorian terrace house with 2 flats.

Yes please to those who have offered to bring their dogs round! I’m in SW London. We could have a dog party!

Haha Lakie I did suggest it but she wasn’t impressed. She can manage hoopers and we played “im the king of the castle” on the pile of straw bales.
I’m allergic to both cats and dogs. Have two cats, one giant hound and spent this morning volunteering at a local shelter.

Blue. Originally from SW London. Time for a visit?!

Again assuming there's nothing in the deeds about pets being banned...

*just get one and ignore him?

This with lots of bells on*

And even more bells on it, too.

Of course you can get a dog, you own and they rent.
What an utter arse! Ignore him.

You can check with the freeholder what the rules are. Have you got a lease and can I come to pooch party

Then he hasn't got a paw to stand on!

Off you pop to Battersea Dogs home :)

Oh he’ll sue you will he?! Jumped up little prick. Who the hell does he think he is?

So has she had an allergic reaction after moving in before they knew you had a dog?
I bet she hasn’t.
I would do what you want s long it’s allowed

Do you know who owns the flat below you?
Could you perhaps speak to the owners about the behaviour of their tenants if it continues?

Bluelily87 Just be careful, he sounds like a nasty piece of work.

Just get the dog if you want a dog and it's not prohibited in your home for some reason.

If he says something, tell him he is welcome to contact your solicitor.

Unless he's your landlord, or your dad and you're 6, what can he do? People need to take responsibility for their own allergies.

I would buy a shovel now. Whether it's to do with dogs or something completely different i bet you're going to end up needing to bury this prick in the woods.

If she has allergies and it actually effects her (which I doubt) they can use an air purifier which works pretty well for issues like this. But again I doubt it would be a problem for her if you're in a separate flat!

What does he do for a living. If he is a solicitor, it could make life expensive. Even if it’s nonsence. He can start sending legal letters which may mean you have to pay someone to reply, while it costs him nothing.

I sold a house to a solicitor once, he started sending letters straight away. I’m all for people not getting shafted, but it was about a broken socket, which was visible in the estate agent photos.

Just get one and ignore. He probably won't even notice and if he des I highly doubt he will sue. He was just trying to intimidate you.

Read your lease carefully. It may not have a "no pets" clause, but it may well have a generic clause on not causing a nuisance and/or noise.

If your pup barks a lot (hard to predict/control) and/or has an accidents in the communal space, he could well have a route to sue you for breach of lease.

@duck90 I think he’s a doctor. Tbh the longest conversation I’ve had with him is when he banned me from getting a dog