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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Is new LL BU saying not to DD's Hamster

49 replies

ProhibitedRodent · 09/09/2019 18:39

Just that really...

Just about to move into bungalow. Landlord has said no pets at the last minute (wasn't mentioned previously but didn't think a Hamster would be a big issue (- particularly as there's a conservatory he can go in), and insisted that it extended to DD's Syrian Hamster Dougal.....

Obviously I'm not about to lose a much wanted house because of a Hamster.
Also yes, I do realise it is her property and she can stipulate whatever she wants (before that blatantly obvious old chestnut gets trotted out!) I also realise that yes, a Hamster is still a Pet...

However I do think it's a bit mean?! Or am I being short sighted? What damage can he do? He never leaves the cage except for when it's being cleaned out, at which point he goes in a stacking box with a toy & a treat whilst I sort it.

DD has HF ASD and loves Dougal to bits!

So is it mean? Or is it me?!

OP posts:

TheDivineOddity · 09/09/2019 18:57

It's the LL's right to refuse pets (of any kind) of course but as a LL myself, a good tenant with a pet is a million times more desirable than a crap one with no pets.

No pets is easier all round but a higher deposit to cover cleaning and any damage is the way to go.
If I were a tenant in this situation however I'd definitely sneak Hammy in under cover of darkness......

PinkCrayon · 09/09/2019 18:58

I think your ll is being unreasonable.
Its a hamster just sneak him in!

nothanksbyenow · 09/09/2019 18:58

Do you think maybe her class teacher would let the hamster live at school? Is that even a thing anymore?
I sympathise, it’s hard to lose a pet but a hamster of ours ate through carpet when it got behind the massive unit in our living room. Very luckily there were no cables to nibble through or it would’ve potentially been toast.

Chitarra · 09/09/2019 18:59

I think your landlord is being reasonable. A blanket no pets rule is quite common I think.

Sunshine93 · 09/09/2019 19:02

If you were my friend in these circumstances I'd the the hamster for you and let DD visit. Could you ask around?

Mlou32 · 09/09/2019 19:03

In understand the landlords position. My friend had a pet rat and used to let it roam free for hours. It chewed a huge hole in the base of the bed, the settee, it went missing and my friend pulled off skirting boards and the path panels to find it. So yeah, I totally get it.

LemonTreeLemon · 09/09/2019 19:03

Just tell LL you no longer have the hamster and just keep it anyway. As PP said - just hide the cage when they come round.

KnobJockey · 09/09/2019 19:05

Those who are saying offer to pay extra deposit to cover the risk, unfortunately the landlord is no longer able to accept this due to the new rules. He/she has probably just had to amend their standard contract because of this, which means that people such as the OPs daughter are missing out.

Another side effect of the fee banning that the government haven't taken into consideration.

Mlou32 · 09/09/2019 19:05

And I def wouldn't sneak it in as other have suggested. One word. Respect. The landlord has rules, they have to be respected.

73Sunglasslover · 09/09/2019 19:05

Just tell LL you no longer have the hamster and just keep it anyway. As PP said - just hide the cage when they come round.

I don't think it's OK to potentially make people ill and this strikes me as a highly selfish attitude.

pumkinspicetime · 09/09/2019 19:07

I was coming on to say this.

those who are saying offer to pay extra deposit to cover the risk, unfortunately the landlord is no longer able to accept this due to the new rules. He/she has probably just had to amend their standard contract because of this, which means that people such as the OPs daughter are missing out.

Another side effect of the fee banning that the government haven't taken into consideration.*

We rent and got permission for cat and dog.
Must say I didn't get permission for gerbil because it is in a cage.

IncrediblySadToo · 09/09/2019 19:08

What a prick!

I have rented out properties and I’ll be renting out this house next year (work forcing a year or do’s move) and in the past have also rented properties - insane not to accept a hamster 🐹

Pets - are generally accepted to be cats/dogs and house rabbits not caged/tanked animals

I’d take Dougal but I’m not in your position. I’m really sorry to hear you’ve had such difficulty getting a bungalow and that you’ll probably be in a wheelchair by this time next year. single parent with a 4 yo with SEN that must be a pretty scary thought!

In your situation I’d be practically begging her to allow Dougal, promising he doesn’t have any cat/dog friends & that he never plays outside of his cage etc

But as DD doesn’t take Dougal out of his cage she might not miss him too much if you can find a lovely new home for him?!

CottonSock · 09/09/2019 19:09

Our hamster trashed some curtains by grabbing through cage. They are not all innocent!

HidingFromDD · 09/09/2019 19:10

I do think it's mean, and yes, there is a risk that a hamster will cause damage but it's quite low. However, in your situation I don't think there's a lot you can do. What area do you live in? There may be someone who could take hammie for 'a holiday and allow visitation rights?

Curious2468 · 09/09/2019 19:11

Wardrobes make handy hiding spaces for small critters during house inspections..just saying 😊

CircleCircleUnderOver · 09/09/2019 19:13

Everyone is always so quick to assume that the landlord is just being nasty. We let out a couple of properties, and are lucky to be in the position where we can choose to allow a well behaved pet if we choose to. The houses are owned outright and we are lucky to have great insurance.

However...

When we first started, this was not the case. Depending on the terms, a pet can invalidate a mortgage, or the property insurance- or both! In our case it was the insurance, and we couldn't find any policies that would allow them at a price we could still afford without making a loss on the rental!

Having the policy invalidated, or mortgage revoked, is not something landlords can usually afford to risk- and it would be of no benefit to the tenant themselves if that happened either.

Please don't always assume the landlord has a choice.

mamaofboyss · 09/09/2019 19:35

YANBU I would sneak the hamster in anyway it's ridiculous to not allow a hamster

timshelthechoice · 09/09/2019 19:37

I wouldn't have even told him about the hammy.

bathorshower · 09/09/2019 19:42

Hamsters can cause a fair bit of damage - never allowing them out of the cage is cruel, and in any case, they have to be elsewhere while you clean the cage out.

We considered keeping pets in our conservatory. Thankfully we put a thermometer in it first - it's reached over 50C when fully closed on a hot sunny day. No pet would thank you for that, though outs is south facing with a glass roof, so others may not be as extreme.

CircleCircleUnderOver · 09/09/2019 20:00

Mamaofboys "YANBU I would sneak the hamster in anyway it's ridiculous to not allow a hamster"

And if the hamster escaped and caused a fire by chewing a wire, the house burned down, landlords insurance was invalid so they lost everything- and the OP was either left homeless or dead- you'd still say the landlord was ridiculous?

Yes it's unlikely, but it's a huge risk to take.

Original poster

ProhibitedRodent · 09/09/2019 20:22

@IncrediblySadToo Thank you for your lovely post. Yes a new home for him is the answer I think. My Mum won't take him, so I may see if school still have pets!

OP posts:

Neveam · 09/09/2019 20:36

What does your contract say?

We had fish in a rented house. Most say they don't count but what if the tank had a leak and destroyed the carpet?

A hamster could potentially gnaw things I guess.

MandMand · 09/09/2019 21:30

Missing the point a bit I know, but if people are keeping hamsters in cages which can quickly fit inside a wardrobe when an inspection is due, then either the hamster cage must be far too small, or they must have a really enormous wardrobe ...

AdoreTheBeach · 09/09/2019 22:06

Given your added information about your situation, I wouldn’t risk it

Hamsters could get fleas, people could be allergic to their dander and urine. It’s not only possible damage done by pets (if they like to chew) but these issues of fleas/allergens

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