To lie about having pets to potential Landlord

[RottieMum80]

So we’ve been stuck on the renting wheel for years and have been in our current home, which we love very much, for 2 1/2 yrs. We took this property under the understanding of a ‘long term’ let but we’ve just found out our Landlord wants to take advantage of the current RIDICULOUS house prices and are selling it from under us. We’re gutted, especially our 9yr old daughter who has friends all along our road that she plays with daily and her school is just a 10 minute walk away. Now we are looking around for an alternative property in our town (where we have family, friends, childcare, daughter’s school etc) and there’s literally NOTHING around. Not even anything unsuitable, just nothing. Started to panic obviously, then low and behold our neighbours 3 doors down told us they’re handing their notice in for their place as they’ve bought a house! It’s identical to our current home and means barely anything has to change. However, we have a large dog and a cat. This Landlady doesn’t allow pets. Now I’ve always left rental properties in perfect (often better!) condition, I’m very clean, tidy and house proud and our pets are completely house trained and never cause any damage.
So bearing in mind we are pretty screwed here with impending homelessness......AIBU to lie about having any pets?

They will find out.

Isn't there a law now that means landlords can't stop you from having pets?

Yeah. I completely appreciate your situation, but you’ll never keep a big dog secret.

They will do inspections and probably find out, can you offer to pay a higher deposit or confirm you’ll repair any damage made by the pets?

Don't lie. They'll find out. Be upfront and honest. Say you'll sign something to say anything the pets (not saying they will) damage you will 100% put right. Etc. Offer for them to come and see your current home.

I definitely wouldn't lie

If they find out then you'll be stuck in the same predicament with a shitty reference from your last landlord because you lied to them.

I voted YABU because if she finds out, she can turf you out quite quickly as you have broken the Contract via deception.

Why not tried your hardest to get her to accept you, tell her you will take out insurance for your pets for any damage. This is what my DS did and the Landlord accepted that as they knew any damage caused by the pets would be completely recovered and items replaced.

Also, ask the neighbours who are leaving to put in a good word for you. Honestly, tried hard because otherwise you would have to spend your whole time there looking over your shoulder.

She will definitely find out and then probably evict you for breaking the contract . I rent out my former home to a family with pets, I have had no problem so far as I find it makes the rental more of a family home . Perhaps you could send the landlady a letter with references from your current landlord!

@3Britnee

Isn't there a law now that means landlords can't stop you from having pets?

No.

@LST

Don't lie. They'll find out. Be upfront and honest. Say you'll sign something to say anything the pets (not saying they will) damage you will 100% put right. Etc. Offer for them to come and see your current home.

I definitely wouldn't lie

Yes I have relatives to rented their house out (whilst living away for work for some years). They really hated the idea of having tenants with animals but agreed to a family with a dog on the agreement that carpets would be replaced as needed etc. There was probably an extra deposit for this.

Don't lie.
Try and get a reference from current landlord. Offer to make good any damage that may occur/clean carpets when you leave. Finally, offer a larger deposit.

Yes, they've obviously stated that for a reason so it's unfair to lie. We own a large dog who is well behaved but he has still inadvertently caused damage by peeing on our grass and causing uneven growth, spattering water/mud on the paint downstairs, damage to the grouting/skirting board by his water bowl due to water leaking not to mention the amount of hair he sheds. We would still be finding hair a year later if he was moved out!! Why don't you just ask if they are willing to overlook that rule on this occasion and explain your circumstances. We did that with our landlord when we bought our dog as a puppy and they allowed us to have a pet after all, we just agreed to try and minimise damage, etc. We lived there for a year and then bought our own home

Of course YABVU. It wouldn’t be your house, and the landlord doesn’t want pets in their house.

As clean and tidy as you think your pets are, they will leave a lasting smell and damage no matter what you do. The landlord has a right to stipulate no pets.

Yes because your be breaking tenancy, u also can get lumped with big cleaning bill after other landlord has to inform future tenants who maybe allergic to Ie cats and find one strand of hair.

I would ask landlord speak to them personally say you can references that your pets not ruined previous rentals. It gives them option whereas if need to ask for extra deposit.

You maybe surprised, there’s no way old neighbours would of got landlord to ok pets had they know just how many, 5 giant dogs!

I'd talk to them about it and maybe offer a bigger deposit if you can. I wouldn't lie though, you won't be able to hide it and it will create really bad feeling.

If you lie it means that you have broken your contract with them and can be evicted. I really wouldn't.

They will obviously find out that you own a big dog and a cat!

Don't lie. Get a reference from your current LL, and offer a huge deposit so any damage can be rectified and the LL knows you can afford to pay as they'll already have the money.

@3Britnee

Isn't there a law now that means landlords can't stop you from having pets?

No… it’s a new tenancy agreement.

Under the new Model Tenancy Agreement, landlords will no longer be able to issue blanket bans on pets.

“Instead, consent for pets will be the default position and landlords will have to object in writing within 28 days of a written pet request from a tenant and provide a good reason.”

I wouldn’t lie, I’d offer them around my current home and pay a bigger deposit / offer to replace carpets when I vacated.

Also, I'm assuming from your username that you have a Rottweiler.

I think that a landlord who doesn't allow pets is going to be really dubious about a Rottweiler, to be honest. Even with an extra deposit, etc you need to accept they are likely to prefer a pet free tenant - and if houses are in such short supply presumably they can be picky about who they rent to.

I would write a letter maybe and include references from current landlord. Worth a try and not worth lying as she will probably find out!

I wrote a "pet CV" with a very adorable picture attached as part of my application form stating all his good points and my landlord changed their mind on pets.

Yep, I would offer them a look round the current rented home, along with evidence of my dogs insurance, training certificates, anything else you think you have that documents a responsible owner really.

Offer additional clauses to the tenancy agreement such as routine carpet cleans (I don't think they can ask for a bigger deposit now for pets) or anything else that would let them know you are serious about keeping the property in good repair and want a long term rental.

Don’t lie. Honestly, you can’t lie about a dog. A cat you’d probably get away with but a dog you just can’t.

Ask for landlady’s personal email/phone number.
Explain your situation, let her come and see your current house, offer to pay a premium. Cross your fingers she is reasonable and knows a good offer from a good tenant when she sees one.

Hope it works out, OP.

OP the previous poster has an excellent idea, inviting them round to your house to see how clean it is and offering to replace carpets if necessary.
The fact that you have been a good tenant for several years must be in your favour too. Definitely worth contacting the landlord.

You might get away with the cat, but a big dog you've got no chance. You could try negotiating with the landlord, bigger deposit, references...but if property is so scarce where you are they're going to have pick of tenants. A horrible situation for you, and possibly a tough decision to make. I rent and have much loved cats and hope I'm never in this situation.