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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To lie about having pets to potential Landlord

319 replies

RottieMum80 · 25/06/2021 18:34

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?

OP posts:
GlassOnTheLawn · 29/06/2021 05:58

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?

Why do you think pets are an entitlement?

To me they’re a luxury, especially a big dog.

Often people don’t have the time/space/money to keep a dog like a Rottweiler (let’s face it pet insurance is expensive, food, training, someone needs to be at home most of the day or able to pop home to see to dog and exercise him). Many people wait until they’re retired. Or until they can afford to reduce their working hours to spend time with the dog. Or buy their own place with a suitable garden. Buying a dog whilst renting is a big risk.

How do you know you will never own a home? If getting on the property ladder is a goal, do you not have a plan to get there?

Our long term plan was to buy, but it took years of us both working full time and saving for the deposit, moving around for work, until we reached a place of financial stability and a place in our careers when getting a dog became a realistic option.

Working dogs aside, nobody ‘needs’ a dog or is ‘entitled’ to a pet.

If you can’t find a landlord who will accept a big dog maybe you need to prioritise your daughter’s school and staying in the area, and find the dog a new home?

Blondeshavemorefun · 29/06/2021 07:27

Till you ask you won’t know

So contact her and ask your friend who is moving to put in a good word plus your current ll

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 29/06/2021 11:29

Oh come on, I get that it is annoying to not be able to have a pet when you want one but a large dog of a breed with a reputation is a really stupid pet to have in private rented accommodation. I'm surprised the breeder or rescue wasn't more concerned to be honest.

You don't have an entitlement to a pet. Pet owning comes with a duty of care to that animal first and foremost and that comes above your wants and needs.

If you really want a pet in private rented accommodation then think about what happens when you have to move and get a pet that is less of an issue.

Outdoor rabbits or guinea pigs for example. Fish. Outdoor birds, not noisy ones that will crow. Many landlords won't have a problem with outdoor pets providing they don't come in the house.

There are pets that can live away from your house in a separate rented field or allotment. Things like a pony, a goat, or chickens.

Indoor caged animals, birds or reptiles are more problematic with landlords but much less of a problem than a dog or cat.

It is irresponsible to have a pet if you can't offer it a secure future. Living in private rented accommodation comes with it a significant risk of needing to re-home a pet and for animals that bond with their owners that is unfair.

Minezatea · 29/06/2021 16:35

As someone who has severe pet argues I'm very glad I own because if people ignore rules like this then there are no places that I could rent. To get pet dander out a house ou need to remove all soft furnishings (furniture, curtains, carpet, underlay) and deep clean. Antihistamines do very little for severe allergies. If someone did this to me and their deposit didn't cover all that was needed o make it animal free again, I'd take them to court. I can see you dilemma but you cat lie as it could be dangerous to others.

Minezatea · 29/06/2021 18:51

Allergies not argues!

pollypersephone · 29/06/2021 19:44

Offer a larger deposit is the new 'cancel the check'. She CAN'T! It's illegal. Shelter campaigned hard to make it illegal. She can only offer more rent.

Brainfogmcfogface · 29/06/2021 20:25

OP I’ve lived in my place for nearly 7 years and my LL still has no idea I have pets. I just ship em off to a friend on inspection days and if the maintenance guy she uses comes round for any reason, lock em in a room he won’t go in. It’s been quite easy really 🤷‍♀️

RottieMum80 · 30/06/2021 17:27

UPDATE
Ok so I took all your comments into consideration and felt it wouldn’t be right or fair to lie. I invited the landlords round for a chat and was honest about the doggo. They were absolutely lovely and saw how I nice I keep the place and wouldn’t have even guessed I had any pets. I reassured them I would keep their property to the same standard and that we’re willing to pay a little more deposit/rent to allay their fears. Good news!! They have agreed to take us on Grin
Honesty is the best policy! Thanks for all your comments and opinions Star

OP posts:
GreyhoundG1rl · 30/06/2021 17:33

Aw! Great news 🥂

lakesummer · 30/06/2021 17:38

Great news OP.

SprayedWithDettol · 30/06/2021 17:42

Fab news.

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 30/06/2021 18:18

That's lovely. Great result.

KateTheEighth · 30/06/2021 18:30

Oh that's great news

Enjoy your new homeSmile

msby · 30/06/2021 18:37

Wonderful news! Happy new home!

ShortBacknSides · 30/06/2021 18:42

So pleased for you @RottieMum80 Pleased that you have a lovely house and you were able to stay honest & true to yourself. From everything you've written here, you're an honest straightforward person - I get the sense that lying would have been very difficult for you.

Lipz · 30/06/2021 18:45

Great update am genuinely delighted for you. Also a bonus that you can relax and not be looking over your shoulder.

Anystarinthesky · 30/06/2021 18:51

Happy for you!

Blondeshavemorefun · 30/06/2021 18:54

Great news

NoSquirrels · 30/06/2021 18:55

Oh what a great update. Brilliant news! I hope you have a long and happy time in your new home.

paniniswapx3 · 30/06/2021 19:06

Brilliant news Op - well done!

RottieMum80 · 30/06/2021 19:23

What lovely comments, thank you 🥰

OP posts:
Tal45 · 30/06/2021 19:37

Fabulous, glad you had a great outcome. It's great when honesty is the best policy as it should be x

LizzieW1969 · 30/06/2021 19:44

I’m so glad it worked out so well. Smile

WiddlinDiddlin · 30/06/2021 19:57

Oh that's brilliant! Pleased for you OP :)

whynotwhatknot · 30/06/2021 19:58

brilliant

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