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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

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:

crosstalk · 26/06/2021 18:16

OP You are not going to get much agreement on here.

I'm a LL and like dogs and cats. I, too, had a no pets policy. Most of the time I allowed them, but was concerned when a "medium" dog turned out to be huge, not least because the garden was small and the owners didn't clear up. And when a puppy wasn't being properly trained or even walked and gnawed doors and peed. Some just moved in and I only knew about the dogs when other people complained about barking because the poor dogs weren''t walked.

I would certainly get references from your current LL especially ref pets, how you keep them, and again how tidy/clean you are.

As for a PP who said animals always cause damage - well so do people.

Suzi888 · 26/06/2021 18:55

@VeganVeal

How old it the dog? Can you rehome or if very old PTS? Better to have a nice home than living in a box with a dog and cat

I’d rather live with a dog and a cat than you 🤣that’s for sure.

Quinquagesima · 26/06/2021 19:25

@GreyhoundG1rl

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. Slightly dramatic...?

This all really pisses me off.

I can't have a dog (and I grew up with a whole pack of them, had one when I was married, would love a dog more than anything) because I work, and that would be rubbish for a dog.

OP shouldn't have had a dog as her living situation was not settled. A LL shouldn't have to pay the penalty for her not having thought it all through.

Now she has a dog, she needs to think sensibly about how to proceed, without lying (whatever her twatty partner says she should do).

OP, if the pets are non-negotiable, you need to think again about accommodation. If the accommodation is non-negotiable, you need to think again about the pets. You can't have it all ways, any more than anyone else can.

GreyhoundG1rl · 26/06/2021 19:27

I totally agree with you, Quin
I was bemused at the families are being torn apart hyperbole.

Quinquagesima · 26/06/2021 19:56

Exactly, @GreyhoundG1rl (I grew up with a pack of greyhounds, btw!)

OP is an adult who needs to make adult choices and take full responsibility for her living situation, her family and her pets.

GreyhoundG1rl · 26/06/2021 19:57

(I grew up with a pack of greyhounds, btw!)
😍

Quinquagesima · 26/06/2021 20:01

@GreyhoundG1rl

(I grew up with a pack of greyhounds, btw!) 😍

😍 is exactly what they were! My parents still have several. I had a terrier when I was married as it was better suited to our lifestyle then. Sadly no dog is suited to my lifestyle now, though I fantasise about a life in which a dog would be possible.

However, as I keep telling my DC, it isn't a question of what a dog can give to us, but what we can give to a dog. At the moment, the answer is 'not enough'. Unfortunately!

GreyhoundG1rl · 26/06/2021 20:03

And that's the grownup approach to life...

OldWivesTale · 26/06/2021 20:05

@PurpleRainDancer - Our tenants absolutely are paying off our mortgage. If not then who is?

Blondeshavemorefun · 26/06/2021 20:22

I wouldn’t lie as you will be found out and asked to leave /broken contract

I would get the ll round to current place and show her how you have kept it nice

Dogs do smell and I work in many homes (I’m a maternity nurse) and can always tell those with dogs

Offer a huge extra deposit to cover any damage

RaeRaeMama · 26/06/2021 20:23

Don't lie OP!

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!

All landlords want is a decent price, long term tenant, well looked after property - you've got this! Charm them!!

Sadsiblingatsea · 26/06/2021 20:25

It’s so sad that landlords take this draconian attitude to pets.
I used to be a landlady and pets were never a problem.

Cherrysoup · 26/06/2021 20:26

I think it’s now illegal to ask for a bigger deposit due to pets. The house isn’t being sold from under you, it’s a rental.

A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 · 26/06/2021 20:40

I rented with pets for years. All were advertised as no pets, but I had perfect references from previous landlords and offered a little extra rent each month over asking, with a chat to the estate agent confirming that I had a pet and perfect references for them. If she's willing to come and see you and see the pets are well behaved and your current house is in good condition, hopefully it'll go well. I was renting during the period I could offer a bigger deposit, but I don't think you can do this now. I also had the contract amended that I'd do a professional carpet clean on leaving.
I could never ever rehome my pets, they're part of the family.
Good luck

Mishmased · 26/06/2021 20:51

@RottieMum80 we lived in our previous place for almost 6 years. We moved in as two young professionals and moved out as two young professionals plus two kids. Landlord didn't want any pets and when one of neighbors friend was house hunting but had two big dogs. This lady was mature with a partner so no house parties and she looked like a long term renter. My landlord (we get on well) said she's rather someone with pets that will look after the place than someone that will trash the place or move in a years time.
I will say be honest and show the potential landlord pics of your current place and get references from your current landlord. Goodluck.

TheWatersofMarch · 26/06/2021 21:11

@Zari29 it's the tenants home. Let's not pretend LLs are altruistic giving out largesse. I am so so sorry @RottieMum80, it is a travesty that you are in this position. Your LL is an utterly greedy b stard.

mumwon · 26/06/2021 21:59

LL may have lost job or had to move to another area with more expensive house. They may have to pay for relative going into supported living & social service are forcing them to sell- they may want to help their children - they may have landed up with debt. They may have divorced their partner & need the money for a new home - etc etc etc
They do own the house

fucketyfuckwit · 26/06/2021 22:07

I would be tempted to offer a cash deposit on top of the capped 5 weeks. Maybe £500?

Non refundable.

caringcarer · 26/06/2021 22:28

I am a LL and would be really pissed off if one of my tenants lied about a big dog to me. I don't usually allow pets apart from rabbits on gardens and cats. However I did let one tenant have a small dog as she agreed to sign an endorsement to contract that stated any damage would be made good and they would.do.a full deep clean when they left. They are still there 6 years later.

Butterfly44 · 26/06/2021 22:53

No you can't lie. You have to ask and be prepared if it's a no. Various reasons why no pets - past experience, not wanting furnishings ruined, stipulated in leasehold contract, allergies, neighbour issues. You'll need to look for a property that allows pets sorry.

JellyTumble · 26/06/2021 22:57

However I did let one tenant have a small dog as she agreed to sign an endorsement to contract that stated any damage would be made good and they would.do.a full deep clean when they left.

@caringcarer You know that’s totally meaningless and unenforceable though, right?

figtrees · 27/06/2021 00:03

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

Wallpapering · 27/06/2021 00:33

Most of the advice was about honesty as op hadn’t even asked the landlord who for all we know might agree it’s ok. Rather than assume say no as nothing worse than pissing someone off being deceitful especially if that person your landlord who then is an arse if you have issues with property or decide fuck it here’s a section 21 I’m selling up.

No one is entitled to fa from others.

PollyPepper · 27/06/2021 08:24

@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.

Exactly.

vivainsomnia · 27/06/2021 08:51

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.

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