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.

It's fine to say no pets. Especially if you have to go back to freeholder to get a permission, which they may not give.
But as pp said, you need to make it clear in the ads so people don't waste their and your time

Honestly, I don't think a responsible dog owner would live in a 1 bed flat - and especially not a big dog. On that basis I'd say no.

I'd say no to any dog. My neighbour has the tiniest chihuahua imaginable and he chewed the carpets and skirtings/stairs to shreds to the point where she had to replace all the downstairs flooring and the stairs and skirting boards.

Amazing typo Disquieted

Staffys gave a bad reputation because they are a popular breed with bad owners. They are also some of the sweetest, gentlest dog around with good owners. I'd suggest you get the owner and talk to the old landlord. Either allow dogs or don't - that it is a staffy shouldn't affect things.

I’d be concerned if the tenants are working that the dog would be alone bored in the flat - that could lead to barking and destructive behaviour

I think on balance I'd say no. Too much potential for things to go wrong/be damaged. If you did accept, I'd want a higher rent, higher deposit and a water tight contract with a break clause after 6 months just in case.

A staffy's not necessarily a big dog to be fair.

I agree with those saying to find out the age of the dog and to take a damage deposit. Staffs are lovely but any young dog is likely to chew.

Another thing to consider is whether the tenant will be out all day leaving the dog alone. If he wfh permanently and is with the dog then it's much less likely to be destructive.

Thanks everyone- just to be clear I don't have a prejudice about staffies. I only added the type of dog in in case it makes a difference as I don't know if different breeds have different temperaments. I don't have any friends with dogs so really know nothing! I did say no pets on the ad. After reading your comments I'm veering to saying no. My business head says no but me being a softie is making me question that!!! Thanks v much everyone

No I wouldnt allow pets in a nice newly decorated flat. And certain not a large dangerous dog.

@Viviennemary staffies are not particularly large and no more likely to be dangerous than any other dog

did a bit of reading about staffies
if left by itself all day it may bark & make noise it may cause damage to your doors. flooring & furniture - & you CANNOT get extra deposit for pet damage to all those pp who keep saying this
You don't know how well behaved the dog or its owner (!) is
I wouldn't do it I would wait - more people will need flats & you need to chose the best & safest option as a tenant - it will save you money & stress in the long term
I have heard it said - that some landlords are charging higher rent for pet owners, apparently that is a legal (??) way out -

Ask if you can meet the dog. If someone's going to allow their dog to ruin your house then they'll ruin your house with or without a dog. I have a large breed dog she doesn't ruin my house, my sister had a small breed dog that weed everywhere.

We have a tenant with 2 cats - we agreed that they would organise and pay for a deep clean at the end of their tenancy.
I think we would have agreed to a small dog if the tenant could provide a good reference with it, and seemed responsible. But tbh if we were choosing between a couple of suitable tenants we'd go for cats over dogs, and no pets over either!

I've had two tenants with dogs. Each time I was promised 'they aren't hairy dogs, it's only one small dog, they're clean' etc.
BOTH times it's broken my heart when I've returned to my property and cost me hundreds in new carpets, curtains & repairs. I'd never, ever again. Nope.

My staffies don’t bark. They are great dogs and my house is fine but that’s because I have trained them.
This guy sounds like he loves the dog and it won’t be alone in the flat.
I’d say meet the dog, get references if you can and then decide.

Don't allow a dog. You'll regret it.

1 I don't agree with dogs in flats, is it a shared garden? As you may have complaints from other tenants. 2) Staffies can be very disruptive my friend had one that ripped all her wallpaper off! And those saying they don't smell are probably used to the smell or dogs that shed smell and the smell lingers for a long time even when the dog is gone! I went to view a house a while back and the smell of dog was bad.

My first question would be, is anyone going to be at home all day?
A dog left alone for long periods will be bored/lonely and is much more likely to chew things or bark a lot. Not to mention its need to wee and poo.
Having said that, I like staffies, but IMO dogs in flats with no access to a garden is a very bad idea anyway.

Join a staffy group on Facebook and have a look how many destructive posts have been added 😂

Sorry I have just done a little bit of reading about this breed. Should have done it before I posted anything. They have got a bad reputation due mostly to irresponsible owners. But I still think no pets is the best policy for landlords. And is the dog going to be left all day while the owner works.

“I don't know if different breeds have different temperaments.”

They do, but that won’t make any difference to your property, that’s the owner.

Some breeds are chewier than others for instance, but if they’ve got an owner that makes sure they don’t chew inappropriate things and gives them appropriate chews they’ll not be chewing your stuff.

Chihuahua tend not to damage things because they’re small and not awfully chewy, but one could still do more damage if left to chew furniture than a staffy who’s not.

In a flat I would say no, and suspect the leaseholders or management agents will also say no.

I am a Director of the site management company. We have had lots of complaints about a chihuahua barking, think it has separation anxiety, every time the owners are out. They are owners and in clear breach of the Head Lease, which they should know, and it has got quite legal now. There have been complaints from 8 or 9 different flat residents.
It's sad, but I am not convinced a dog is in a good environment in a flat, even a ground floor one. Often a dog will bark when it hears noise from other residents.

My concern would be it being a flat without a garden. Although this is manageable for the very conscientious pet owner, it is rather hard. For example when working full time, my dogs have always had access to the garden via a dog flap alongside a Walker mid day. Therefore limiting accidents. However like puppies that cant hold there bladders for ghe entire working day, oap dogs also start to become more incontinent and struggle to hold it all day without access to outside regularly in the day.

Ask how old it is as they can be quite prone to chewing when young. Sadly you cannot ask for a larger deposit due to the tenant fee ban (which is crap for dog owners who often would be happy to pay it). Also if it’s a flat do think about neighbours as well.