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?

@lakesummer

pay a larger deposit that will cover the damage caused by pets.

Shelter campaigned hard and successfully to make this illegal.
Thereby making it harder to rent with pets.

I know, it's crazy!

I am a LL (with my own pets) my rental property is large and in the country - it's hard to imagine living there with no pets.

My current tenants have dogs and a cat. They are legally only allowed to pay a deposit of 5 weeks rent, which wouldn't even cover the costs of changing the carpets if needed.

Instead they have to pay more rent and have a professional clean when they leave (including carpets).

I'm actually selling the house (so I can buy my own home where I actually live) and it's been a nightmare asking the tenants to leave because no other LL will take them with pets. I've given them 6 months notice as per the covid guidelines, but I might have to end up taken them to court to get them out.
They refuse to rehome their pets (which I understand - I have rescue pets myself) but they might have to end up homeless if they don't find a solution - the courts will evict them as I am selling. I don't understand making your whole family homeless (including the pets) by risking being spotted by neighbours and trade people etc.

The property I have doesn't have direct neighbours, but being rural the neighbourhood all know each other and trades people always mention bit and bobs about my tenants (I don't ask) no way you can keep a Rottweiler a secret on a suburban street - they are a 'status' dog and attract attention (one of the reasons your partner got one presumably).

@vivainsomnia

Meet the landlady invite her to your current property to see how well looked after it is, get her to meet your dog so she can see how well behaved they are, get a written reference from your current landlord - offer a larger deposit, offer slightly more rent even! Posters are totally missing the point of the situation.

There are no rentals available in the area. That means that demand significantly outgrow supplies. This landlord will receive many applications, most without pets. Why would she bother to go and meet with OP, visit her house etc...when she can get good tenants without pets in the first place.

OP is in a hopeless situation. Totally agree that getting large dog that most landlords will be wary of when renting was not a good move, but the dog is here now.

I totally agree that in normal circumstances, tenants should never lie. The issue here is that the situation is desperate, very desperate.

There’s no guarantee OP will even get the house in the first place given how hot the market is. She can offer to pay extra rent for pets or get rid of the pet when applying - and see whether she gets the house. Chances are she might not anyway! Sorry but it looks like she’s going to have to move into a less than ideal place unless she can really pay lots more or similar

offer to get rid of pet @vivainsomnia* I agree with you

@charlotteself

I did this a few years ago and it turned out next door were pally with landlord and told them and he kicked us straight out.

It's awful that pets aren't allowed in some properties. They usually cause a lot less damage and mess than kids do.

They are looking at a law that says you can't discriminate (a labour thing I believe) but it hasn't come in yet. I hope this happens as families are being torn apart having to give up much loved pets because they can't afford to own a property.

It’s impossible to prove rental discrimination unless LL is dumb enough to give you a reason for rejection. What boggles my mind Is people being stupid enough to own pets when they know they’ll be renting in an area where it’s hard to find houses to rent...

This is why getting pets in rented accommodation is a bad idea. You just don't have the long term security and are massively restricting your choice of property when you inevitably need to move.

I guess unless the landlord is prepared to allow the pets following a discussion and a good reference you have a choice between the welfare of your child and your pets.

@figtrees

OP don't take advice from anybody who thinks you should value the well being of a strangers carpet more than your own dog.

It isn't pet v carpet though, it is the welfare of the pet versus the welfare of her child in terms of whether she might have to move out of the area, away from friends and family and potentially move school.

I know you say your partner will be furious if you lose the property ,but quite honestly what choice do you have? I think a Rottweiller is a very big dog to try and "hide" . Maybe have a look ask around as well .I think to maybe throw yourself on their good nature ,and explain you are renting a few doors down .Maybe as others have said she can come and look at your place ,/however at the end of the day its her house ,her decision Im afraid .

One of my close friends successfully hides her Rottweiler from her landlord. Christ knows how she's managed it for 6 years, but she has.
Doesn't make it a good idea though 😂

It's just madness. The landlord will be rightly angry over having been deceived and will likely do everything to get them out. I wouldn't trust tenants who lied to me. If the dog was a priority then they should have signed a longer lease with the current landlord. No one is entitled to a Rottweiler. Should I have one if I don't have the funds to adequately care for it? A large, guarding breed was bought by family with an insecure housing situation. I can't imagine putting a dog in front of my newborns welfare. If they do deceive the landlord and end up being harassed the entire year they are there and then kicked out they will be untouchable by other landlords. So unless they are 100% sure they can put up with the agro from the landlord and they will have the down payment to buy in a year I really wouldn't do it!

As previous posters say, you might find the LL will agree given a larger deposit etc. However, as some tenants do NOT want to live in a house which has had pets in it, the LL may be narrowing down their range of prospective future tenants (particularly when they did not want to accept them in the first place).

@ginghamstarfish

As previous posters say, you might find the LL will agree given a larger deposit etc. However, as some tenants do NOT want to live in a house which has had pets in it, the LL may be narrowing down their range of prospective future tenants (particularly when they did not want to accept them in the first place).

Ll's cannot ask for a bigger deposit.

No longer are they able to issue a blanket ban on pets. The default is to say yes unless they put it in writing and have a very good reason.

I think shelter shot themselves in the foot. At least with the bigger deposit some landlords were more flexible. In the end I think they will have caused less landlords to take pets. Things which are good reasons include: dog too big, dog is a vocal breed, allergies of landlord or future tenants. It doesn't have to be a 'very' good reason. It has to be a good reason and those reasons are plentiful. People should stop spreading misinformation. It doesn't help anyone.

@PollyPepper you're quite wrong. The contract you refer to here on many posts is not mandated, there are several AST templates, and if you read the clause it says the tenant must ask and seek permission. The final say is with the landlord who can give any reason they want. If they go ahead anyway they'll be in breech of contract for which the landlord could start eviction proceedings. Also, this is for tenants who move in and later decide to want a pet, not for tenants like the OP here who are on the initial search for a property where the landlord can choose to rent to whoever they please.

@3Britnee

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

Is there? Can you tell us where you saw that?

I'm so sorry for your situation RottieMum. We're due to rent soon (with a dog) and I'm really worried about it.

Renters rights are terrible in the UK, long-term rentals hard to come by (there seem to be none in the town we're looking to move to) and finding one that takes dogs seems impossible.

I hope that some of the Landlords on this forum can see how horribly difficult it is for renters and show some empathy/compassion.

@emetophobe123

I'm so sorry for your situation RottieMum. We're due to rent soon (with a dog) and I'm really worried about it.

Renters rights are terrible in the UK, long-term rentals hard to come by (there seem to be none in the town we're looking to move to) and finding one that takes dogs seems impossible.

I hope that some of the Landlords on this forum can see how horribly difficult it is for renters and show some empathy/compassion.

Thank you, yes it sucks, it’s so hard to get on the property ladder in the current climate so we’re forced to rent still, but we have to jump through hoops to please agencies and landlords as there’s so many of us and so few decent properties available. We are and have always been very good tenants and in our experience we have very few rights and freedoms when renting. Never have Landlords redecorated prior to us moving in or during to make the places nice, most of the time they’ve been pretty dirty and I’ve had to clean top to bottom before moving in. Yet we have the threat of losing our deposit if we don’t leave it absolutely immaculate before WE leave (not that that’s ever been a problem, but still!). Landlords know they’ll rent their place out no matter what the condition as we’re all so desperate and I feel exploited as a renter. We can’t put up pictures, redecorate, or anything to enjoy it as our ‘home’. I’ve seen there are some good and understanding LL’s on here, but also a lot of people that look down on us because of our situation, apparently we don’t deserve a pet or to live any kind of life because we rent. Yes our dog is big, but she’s a fantastic dog and I resent the remarks about her being a ‘status’ dog when actually anyone who has any proper knowledge about dogs know that when bred and treated right they are one of the top 10 best family dogs. It’s hilarious that some may look more favourably on a smaller dog such as a Jack Russell yet they’re much more likely to be destructive, noisy and aggressive! In most countries on the continent, a majority of people rent and are allowed to enjoy their homes as it’s their own, it’s only the UK that has become obsessed with ownership and it’s led to a pretty dire situation for those that are less fortunate and cannot. Anyway, I digress! Thank you to many of you for your comments and opinions.

Genuine question: why do people who are renting get pets in the first place, knowing it’s so hard to find a landlord who accepts pets?

I don’t mean if you owned then had to sell up unexpectedly.

We rented for years, moving around the country for work, and didn’t consider pets until we bought our own place.

There’s no way you can hide a Rottweiler from a landlord. I don’t think it’s fair to try either. If they want no pets in their property they’re legally allowed to enforce that.

I feel exploited as a renter. We can’t put up pictures, redecorate, or anything to enjoy it as our ‘home’

Well renting is borrowing someone else’s home, so I think terms and conditions are fair. If we rented our house I would not like a Rottweiler living in it!

When we were renting I never felt exploited, and landlords were generally laid back about putting up pictures, redecorating etc provided we asked first. One place we asked to change the curtains and put up new rails, they said yes immediately.

but we have to jump through hoops to please agencies and landlords
Sorry, but I don't think landlords baulking at renting to someone with a Rottweiler can be classed as you being forced to jump through hoops.
You must realise the vast majority of people will have reservations?

Can you speak to her directly? Maybe ask her to come and see that the property you're in now has been looked after well. I'd much rather take a tenant with a dog who's home I could see than an unknown tenant without a pet who could destroy my property! Ask her to speak to your landlord and let her know that you're very keen. It's really all you can do. I don't think trying to hide the dog is going to work, and you'd constantly be looking over your shoulder.

@GlassOnTheLawn

I feel exploited as a renter. We can’t put up pictures, redecorate, or anything to enjoy it as our ‘home’

Well renting is borrowing someone else’s home, so I think terms and conditions are fair. If we rented our house I would not like a Rottweiler living in it!

When we were renting I never felt exploited, and landlords were generally laid back about putting up pictures, redecorating etc provided we asked first. One place we asked to change the curtains and put up new rails, they said yes immediately.

In my experience it depends on the market. London was shit because of the number of people competing for even the tiniest shithole (www.vice.com/en/topic/london-rental-opportunity-of-the-week) is a hilarious column exploring this.

Then I moved to the North West, mostly very pleasant, LL/agents professional and responsive. Area had a decent choice of properties at any one time LL let us drill holes in wall etc.

People who have pets when renting are irresponsible IMO. It’s not about what pleasure the pet brings to you, it’s about how you can give your pet a good life. They are living things...

It's not quite the same but we have been allowed to take two dogs to holiday cottages that were advertised as No Dogs after a conversation with the cottage owner

Which is a really unfair thing to do. I'm allergic to dog and their dander so only rent holiday let's where there are no pets allowed. I've had 2 holidays ruined when this rule has obviously not been adhered to and the owner had to admit it when questioned about it. It's really not fair to others.

@GreyhoundG1rl

but we have to jump through hoops to please agencies and landlords Sorry, but I don't think landlords baulking at renting to someone with a Rottweiler can be classed as you being forced to jump through hoops. You must realise the vast majority of people will have reservations?

I think it’s fairly obvious, I was referring to the wider issues regarding renting generally and the difficulties faced by renters in the current climate. In fact it was only 2019 when the new law was finally brought in to stop LL’s and agencies exploiting prospective tenants with exorbitant fees, such as credit check fees, referencing fees, contract fees and that’s on top of the (minimum) month’s rent deposit and month's rent in advance. If you’ve been reading the other comments, you’ll see that it’s a hugely competitive market with very little availability for suitable housing, be it private rental or council. To suggest otherwise shows your ignorance of the situation which renders you in a weak position to have any form of credible argument. In addition and in response to yourself and those that comment that I shouldn’t have pets because I rent, I feel that’s an unfair viewpoint and one that predominantly comes from those with the luxury to criticise because they are fortunate enough to be homeowners. And yes I say “fortunate” because at some point you/they would have had some form of help/advantage to get a foot on the property ladder, which usually comes in the form of the bank of mum and dad or a sweet inheritance from a relative (which is how pretty much ALL my friends have managed to own). Well lucky old you, maybe you should broaden your horizons and realise that not everyone is given that help. So you’re saying that because I don’t OWN bricks and mortar, my family and I have no right to live in a way that makes us happy and brings joy and fulfilment to our lives? Despite otherwise living an honest and hardworking life and doing our utmost to care for and maintain the property we reside in? I suppose you also feel we shouldn’t have children either? Where does it end? Like I mentioned previously, in MANY other countries, renting is the most common and accepted residential status - so you think MOST people in those countries don’t have pets?

No, I'm saying just what I said - that it's understandable that most landlords would have reservations about renting to someone with a Rottweiler.
I said none of the other stuff. Including having had help getting on the property ladder.
I didn't, but it's not relevant.

@GlassOnTheLawn

Genuine question: why do people who are renting get pets in the first place, knowing it’s so hard to find a landlord who accepts pets?

I don’t mean if you owned then had to sell up unexpectedly.

We rented for years, moving around the country for work, and didn’t consider pets until we bought our own place.

There’s no way you can hide a Rottweiler from a landlord. I don’t think it’s fair to try either. If they want no pets in their property they’re legally allowed to enforce that.

And there it is “we didn’t even consider getting pets until we bought our own home”. So you wanted pets but KNEW you would/could own a home at some point so waited til then. My point is - what if you can’t own? Am I NEVER entitled to enjoy a pet in my life?