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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think they can't do this

74 replies

JimmyJamm · 06/02/2019 09:19

Live in rented accommodation and had an inspection last week. We have always looked after the place, I'm very clean and tidy anyway so no problems there.

Around a month or so ago we had my mother's dog stay with us for 2 nights whilst she had an impromptu hospital stay. He's getting on a bit so was no hassle.

The agents who did the inspection have said they have reason to believe we have a dog at the property due to 'evidence' found at the inspection.

The only possible thing I can think of is the small bag of dog food in my cupboard in the kitchen which was left over from the time mentioned above.

AIBU to think they can't go through my cupboards?! I can explain the dog food, that isn't the issue. But I have paperwork in this cupboard, bank statements, hospital letters of my own which I wouldn't want anyone to see.

I understand it isn't technically my house but I deserve some privacy when I'm paying to live there surely?

This isn't the first time they have done something like this. Last year they let someone in our house without checking first.

OP posts:
Jeezoh · 06/02/2019 09:21

If your tenancy states no dogs then haven’t you breached it by having one there?

NerrSnerr · 06/02/2019 09:22

I bet someone who knows the landlord saw/ heard you had a dog there so they asked the agent to check. Does your contract state no dogs?

Wolfiefan · 06/02/2019 09:22

Are you not allowed pets? In which case you’ve breached your tenancy agreement by having one.
Maybe a neighbour told them. You don’t know they went through a cupboard.

Original poster
JimmyJamm · 06/02/2019 09:23

It states no pets without consent however this dog was with us 2 nights.

Regardless, as to whether they were asked to check, surely they can't go routing through my cupboards?

OP posts:
TheMaddHugger · 06/02/2019 09:23

could neighbours have mentioned the dog ?

Myshinynewname · 06/02/2019 09:23

It wouldn’t be usual to look through cupboards but I suppose if it’s not locked away there’s no reason why they shouldn’t look. Seems an odd thing to do - do you think somebody reported the dog being there so they were looking for evidence?

Somethingsmellsnice · 06/02/2019 09:24

Were you not there during the inspection?

Original poster
JimmyJamm · 06/02/2019 09:25

I wasn't there I was at work.

Neighbor could have I suppose but we only have one and she's a young girl who we get on with well so I doubt very much when would have. She doesn't know our landlord either so far as I know as moved in there after us.

OP posts:
ScreamingValenta · 06/02/2019 09:25

Might there have been a few dog hairs about the place? However well you clean, they have a tendency to stick around.

Stompythedinosaur · 06/02/2019 09:25

I agree they shouldn't have gone through your cupboards. That is very intrusive. I would reply saying you do not have a dog and ask what evidence they have.

snitzelvoncrumb · 06/02/2019 09:27

If the cupboards are built in then yes, they can check them. It sounds like someone dobbed you in.

Jeezoh · 06/02/2019 09:28

I suppose it depends how easy it was to find the dog food. If you’d tucked it away behind cereal packets etc then I’d be miffed but if they simply opened a cupboard and saw it, I’d be less so as they could just be doing a cursory check that the cupboard doors are in working order.

Regardless, it still sounds like you breached your tenancy as it doesn’t sound like you got consent to have a dog there.

In future, can you request they inspect when you’re around?

MoaningSickness · 06/02/2019 09:31

I would just fire back at them that no, you don't have any pets and let them produce the evidence. 'no pets' does not mean they have the right to not allow you a visitors dog in. (And pet food could easily be you feeding for a neighbor etc).

As for privacy, they are allowed to inspect, and I can easily see them justifying opening a cupboard to check for problems in wall/leaks etc, and 'happening to see' what was in it, so I doubt you'd get far. It's annoying, but you've done no wrong so try not to get wound up by it.

Bringbackthestripes · 06/02/2019 09:32

It states no pets without consent however this dog was with us 2 nights.

Did you ask if it could stay 2 nights? Doesn’t really matter if it was there one night or one week if you didn’t clear it with them.
I would assume someone has mentioned it rather than them seeing the food. However, I do recall when renting, our agent actually opened the oven to check the condition of it. Didn’t bother me, it was spotless and I had nothing to hide.

FairyLightFiend · 06/02/2019 09:35

I’d be freaked out too OP. I would deny that you’ve had a dog there and ask what evidence they have. Having dog food in your cupboard isn’t evidence! If they admit to going through your cupboards then I would take them to task over this. As a tenant you’re entitled to “quiet enjoyment” of the property and feeling that your privacy has been breached goes against this. TBH I’d have gone ape shit at them letting someone into the property without my knowledge before. I need to feel safe in my home!

It might be worth you doing some research into laws around tenancy inspections.

Original poster
JimmyJamm · 06/02/2019 09:37

and I had nothing to hide

It's not that I have anything to hide. I have personal things and letters in the cupboards and draws of my home and I don't like the idea of them going through it. They can open the oven all they like.

OP posts:
Original poster
JimmyJamm · 06/02/2019 09:41

TBH I’d have gone ape shit at them letting someone into the property without my knowledge before. I need to feel safe in my home!

Yes, I wasn't happy about this. We reported a problem to them and then didn't hear anything from them for another two weeks. When I rang to check they sheepishly told me they'd already let someone round to fix the problem (which hadn't worked). I could have been walking around in my underwear whilst they handed the keys over to someone without permission!

OP posts:
Original poster
JimmyJamm · 06/02/2019 09:42

*when I reported it they told me they'd get back in touch to check what dates me and the contractor could do but didnt, and just let him in instead.

OP posts:
GuardiolasGirl · 06/02/2019 09:43

Did you get the required consent for the dog to stay there for the two nights?

ColdCottage · 06/02/2019 09:45

I'm sorry they have been looking further than the normal checks. This is why I am always home when they come for any inspections.

Agree with PP id just say you don't know what they are talking about. You don't have a dog and never have which is true.

I agree with PP contact unless specified can't restrict you from having guests with dogs visit you. I don't even think a stay of 48 hours would count, it's no difference to if you had a friend to stay with a dog. It's very different having a dog live in a house verses one staying the weekend with a friend.

Original poster
JimmyJamm · 06/02/2019 09:46

No, I didn't. I didn't think my mother's dog staying for two nights in an emergency would warrant consent being required.

It isn't keeping a pet, it's looking after for a very short amount of time. He didn't stay in our house in the day, he goes to daycare. Literally just slept and ate with us then went back to mum.

Our agent charges £50.00 for consent alongside a topped up deposit of another months rent.

OP posts:
stayathomer · 06/02/2019 09:50

I agree it's more likely someone saw or heard the dog. ( Hoping anyway!) It doesn't matter whether it was 2 days or a week OP, you did still violate your tenancy, he stayed overnight

poglets · 06/02/2019 09:52

If you had a dog stay for two nights then you needed consent from the landlord. The personal circumstances of why the dog cane are of no interest to the contract and agreement you signed. But you know that.

Anyway, too late now. You need to respond to their claim that you have a pet and refute it.

These tenancy checks should not be happening by someone just letting themselves in while you are out. They need to give you notice and obtain your consent in writhing. However, I wouldn't be fighting this point for the moment, just focusing on informing them that you have no pets.

CatG85 · 06/02/2019 09:53

Was the inspection planned and were you informed before?
Landlords/agents have to give 48 hours notice that they're going to enter your property so even if you have breached your tenancy, they've breached policy by entering without your knowledge last year at least.

HPLikecraft · 06/02/2019 09:55

Jeez, having a dog visit for two nights isn’t the same as having a pet! So why should consent be required? Some posters are being silly about this.

OP, ask your agents for evidence that you’re keeping or have a kept a pet, also chat with them about your rights as regards access of others to your home without agreement.