To ask about having a tenant with a staffy

[aboutadog]

Name changed for this but regular poster (cancel the cheque, Mexican house thief etc)

I have a one bed flat I've spent loads of time doing up to make it lovely, reclaimed wooden floorboards, newly painted, nice new furniture, new kitchen bathroom etc and which I rent out. I have a prospective tenant who has a staffy. I know nothing about dogs (I have 2 cats) but I'm worried the dog will wreck everything and whether the flat will smell. I hope I'm not offending anyone but I really don't know anything about having a dog!!

Can anyone tell me their experience of having a staffy? Any problems I should think about? He says it won't be left alone as he takes it to work and it goes everywhere with him. Thanks in advance.

Are pets actually allowed in your tenancy agreement? I personally wouldn’t esp if you are letting it furnished.

If you don't want tenants with pets you need to specify that, you can't rule out specific breeds because shit owners own all sorts.

Although do note that any animal can trash the place through natural behaviours - scratched flooring from claws, chewed furniture if they're bored and picking at carpet threads etc etc.

It’s a ‘no’ from me.

Mine chewed everything in sight till he was 5....

Well they’re not hairy, so don’t usually smell as doggy as some other breeds...

Anything else that would affect your property is down to the owner rather than the breed, so you just need to decide whether you’re ok with dogs there or not.

I would consider it in a house but not a flat and I'm a dog owner and lover.

And got his black hair on the light stuff and his white hair on the light stuff ..
But I miss him

We have a dog- I’m a ‘doggy’ person but having let out a property for my parents with someone with a dog, I’d want a big damage deposit- our dog is lovely and now she’s older super chilled but in her youth are skirting boards and our other dog ate the underlay of a carpet....
these are all repairable. Our dogs don’t smell because we wash beds weekly and don’t have carpets and they are not allowed on the furniture.

Ask the age of the dog (younger ones are more likely to cause damage) and take a damage deposit that is desperate for the dog if that’s possible?

.*white hair dark stuff

It would be a no from me because of dog smell. It’s very hard to get rid of that and could be off putting for future tenants, unless they also have dogs.

Thanks - I am asking freeholder for permission. It's not really that it's a staffy - I just said that for more info as I don't know anything about dogs! I did say no pets in the ad but as I haven't had another offer I am wondering whether it's worth the risk...Or better to have a vacant period for a bit until I find a tenant with no dog.

Sounds like you've spent a lot of time, money and effort here. I would be saying no pets personally. Nothing to do with the breed.

We had tenants who didn’t tell us they had a dog until 2 days before they moved in. We were over a barrel really as needed the property let. So we added £200 extra to the damage deposit. Long story short the dog ruined every door in the house by scratching it to get out & urinated on several of the carpets. We ended up keeping the whole deposit which was c£1.5k and it didn’t cover all the damage. Tbf it wasn’t just the dog, the tenants themselves were pretty careless with the property and left it filthy. He was a hospital consultant, wife and two teen daughters. Obviously could afford to lose the deposit so didn’t give a toss about the house . Wasn’t just damage to floors, paintwork etc but things like used cotton buds and the backing from sanitary towels shoved behind radiators etc too!

I’m a staffie owner and love the breed. They’re not as smelly as some breeds but can be very lively and prone to chewing.
If the dog always goes to work with tenant that decreases the risk of chewing but you can’t really enforce dog going to work with tenant.
I don’t want to say I’d refuse but I’m edging that way.
Maybe you could meet the dog first and see if it’s well trained and calm or if it’s a little bit bonkers - as some can be. However, if you’re not a doggy person it could be hard to assess.
I don’t want to say no but that’s probably the right thing.

It’s a shame that a small portion of dog owners give the rest a bad rep. My dogs are groomed regularly so don’t smell and I clean up after them daily so my house is kept in great condition and I don’t think you would know I have dogs if I removed toys beds etc. I own thankfully. Perhaps to ease your fears you could ask for regular inspection at the start.

Thanks this is all really helpful. Luckily no carpets and he says the dog is not allowed on furniture. He might bring his own sofa but says he's flexible so I could take the (leather) sofa out. I'll find out how old the dog is. Really unsure what to do. I think it must be so hard to find somewhere that takes pets so feel bad saying no. I'm probably a bit of a softie!

Could you ask for references relating to renting with the pet?
I’ve always rented with my dog and he’s never caused a problem, so I would easily be able to get references from previous landlords! And you could charge an extra pet deposit :)

Knowing how difficult it is to find any rental property that allows pets, I think it’s a breath of fresh air that you’re considering it. In other countries, such as USA, it’s very normal to allow pets but ask for a bigger pet deposit. Could you ask for a hefty damage deposit? I’d also probably want to meet the dog and ask questions about age/temperament. If it’s a 1yo bouncy staffy then I’d consider it very likely that things would get damaged, whereas if it’s a 7yo chilled out dog then it would seem like a safer bet.

I'd say no, nothing to do with the dog or breed. You just have no idea how responsible the owner will be. Also I believe there are now limits on deposits so you can't ask for a extra large one? And frankly why would you want the hassle? I absolutely love dogs, but if you are renting a property and have a business hat on, it has to be a no.

You don't say what floor the flat is on. If there is anybody living below the sound of a dog scampering around and scratching wooden flooring can be horrendous.

you can no longer get extra deposit for pet damage
I wouldn't have a dog myself in one bed flat - not only damage but what happens when they go to work? (noise etc)
Wait - a few weeks with no money might less costly than taking the risk

Why does the breed matter unless you have a prejudice?

Thanks again. Such helpful advice. It's ground floor so luckily no noise for neighbours below.

They're not smelly but can chew and wee like any dogs. Have they lived in a flat before? Enhanced deposit?

I would have no problems with my tenant having a stiffy.