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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Original poster

JimmyJamm · 06/02/2019 09:58

This inspection was planned and I gave my permission for them to go round whilst I was in work.

The incident last year was not authorized and I wouldn't have even known that they had let someone in if I hadn't called back to check what they were doing about the problem I'd reported.

OP posts:

TheWernethWife · 06/02/2019 09:58

FFS, will you all stop going on about violating tenancy. OP only had the dog a couple of nights in an emergency, the nosy twats who came round without informing OP of their visit are in the wrong as I see it. OP deny you that you have a dog, a tin of dog food is hardly evidence of one staying permanently.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 06/02/2019 10:04

Ask what evidence they have.

stayathomer · 06/02/2019 10:04

Jeez, having a dog visit for two nights isn’t the same as having a pet! So why should consent be required?

Because dogs can cause damage and dogs can be noisy. If a neighbour only heard it once they'll assume you have a dog there full time and the agent doesn't know the dog was there only two nights because OP insists there wasn't a dog there at all!

TonTonMacoute · 06/02/2019 10:04

You need to ask them what evidence they have and how they got it. This is all just speculation, and you are working yourself up over something when you don't actually know what they have done. If they did look through your cupboards you should complain.

You haven't got a dog, and I can't imagine any landlord would want to go through the hassle of getting you out and finding a new tenant over this.
.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 06/02/2019 10:06

Also, are you allowed to have doggy visitors? I mean for an hour or two? If it was the food say it was for that. Be assertive.

Original poster

JimmyJamm · 06/02/2019 10:10

I appreciate it's speculation right now but I've had problems of this kind and others before with the agents so it just wouldn't surprise me at all if they have done this.

The landlord very nearly stopped using them due to their incompetence previously over other things (getting our names and addresses wrong multiple times despite being reminded over and over etc...).

It's hard to explain without you seeing where I live but the house is detached with only one neighbor as described, I really can't imagine it would be her.

OP posts:

Original poster

JimmyJamm · 06/02/2019 10:12

For what it's worth, our landlord is very nice and we get on well (we started direct contact about a year ago simply because the agent is pretty crap) and I do have permission for the other pets I have there (cats). I am not worried about the dog situation or explaining it.

I'm worried that yet again our agent has crossed a line. I've felt uncomfortable with them ever since last year but it's hard to take time off to be there when they inspect especially seen as they will never commit to a time of day.

OP posts:

Missingstreetlife · 06/02/2019 10:13

Of course a friend can come round with a dog, or a relative bring their pet for the weekend. Keeping a pet is having your own animal with all long term consequences for neighbours and property. Ridiculous.

Loseitandkeepitlost · 06/02/2019 10:14

You do not need consent for a dog to stay 2 nights.

We rented out a property a few years ago with a no pet clause (it was a flat and we felt it would be unfair to neighbours). The tenant then got two puppies. We were told it would be deemed unenforceable in terms of ending the tenancy early and we had to wait until the end of the fixed term.

A no pet clause does not mean you can’t help out in a family emergency without contacting your landlord first!

ladycarlotta · 06/02/2019 10:15

They're doing that crappy letting agent thing of being officious and pushing for all they can get. Ask for their evidence, tell them you don't have a dog, if you feel like it you could even invite them back to inspect garden etc which would DEFINITELY show signs of being regularly used by a dog if you had one.

I do think looking after a pet for a couple of days in an emergency is a world away from having one in the house all the time. That's what the additional deposit is for - the wear and tear/potential for specific damage caused by having an animal there 24/7. That's really not the same situation at all.

Missingstreetlife · 06/02/2019 10:16

Complain to boss of agency, trading standards or whoever regulates agency & landlord. Need a new agency

Confusedbeetle · 06/02/2019 10:19

Landlords don't have to give 48 hrs notice, it's 24. I doubt for one moment anyone has been in your cupboards. It's either the neighbour, dog hairs or a dog smell. If you no longer have the dog then tell them that. If you want to be present at an inspection then be there.
You might have no idea how many tenants move a dog in without permission and the damage they can do to a property. That's why there is usually an additional deposit. It would be silly to lie that you have had a dog in the place. Just be truthful and say it was a short term visit

IncrediblySadToo · 06/02/2019 10:21

(I was, and will be again soon, a LL)

‘Pets by consent’ is about you having a pet living there. There’s a massive difference between ‘having a pet’ and having one visit. They can’t stop you having one over your doorstep!

They have NO business going in cupboards unless there’s an obvious need to (door damaged, water damage near the door etc).

I would send a reply ‘We do not have a dog living here’.

I wouldn’t allow them to do any further inspections without me being present. I would change the locks - they’ll only know if they to get in without your permission and they’ll land themselves in it because they shouldn’t be doing that.

Jumped up little twats.

Original poster

JimmyJamm · 06/02/2019 10:24

I don't think it will be dog hair or smell, it was weeks ago and the house is regularly cleaned.

Unless they've been on their hands and knees and found one stray hair under the sofa.

OP posts:

dizzydaisies · 06/02/2019 10:25

As part of a tenancy inspection I would open fixed cupboards in the kitchen, to check they all open as they should and that there's no damage.

However, it's more likely they've seen a few dog hairs, or smelt a doggy smell, and combined with seeing dog food in a cupboard it would make them think there's a dog in the property.

Re consent - we have a no dogs policy; it's an absolute no way, no dogs ever in the property. Saying "It's just visiting" is no excuse.

Original poster

JimmyJamm · 06/02/2019 10:26

I wouldn’t allow them to do any further inspections without me being present

I am going to do this from now on. Do they have to give me a time? Or is it at least reasonable for me to request one.

They never do, they just say we can't give a time but it will be on X day so I'd have to take the whole day off and wait in for them.

OP posts:

Tinty · 06/02/2019 10:26

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.

It is easily solved though. Sorry you are wrong I do not have a dog. Pop around again to check if you wish. The dog food in the cupboard, yes I have picked that up for my mum. Dog barking here a month ago, yes he was here with someone visiting.

Original poster

JimmyJamm · 06/02/2019 10:29

Yes, I can easily explain the dog. I'm not worried about that.

It bothers me that they are known to do things they aren't supposed to do and now I feel again that they have crossed a line.

I will ask them what they mean and how they obtained said 'evidence'.

OP posts:

IncrediblySadToo · 06/02/2019 10:33

I’ve just seen your posts about your LL. Definitely tell them what’s happened and say you’re upset they’ve been going through your cupboards. It sounds like they have had about enough of these twats anyway, this will probably be enough to make them manage it themselves or try another agency.

IncrediblySadToo · 06/02/2019 10:34

Maybe they did some DNA testing to check it wasn’t cat hair 🤣

Original poster

JimmyJamm · 06/02/2019 10:35

IncrediblySadToo

OP posts:

NotAnotherUserName5 · 06/02/2019 10:37

I’d tell them oh have cctv of a the person doing the inspection going through your cupboards

Ok, you weren’t meant to have a dog there, but it was an emergency. Maybe come clean and explain to them.

Tinty · 06/02/2019 10:38

Oh just read that you have a cat, that's it then. The cat grassed you up .

IncrediblySadToo · 06/02/2019 10:38

DizzyDaisies

Re consent - we have a no dogs policy; it's an absolute no way, no dogs ever in the property. Saying "It's just visiting" is no excuse

😂 🤣 if you think you can enforce that you’re deluded.

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