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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU that a unit I rent is NOT the landlords family home?

56 replies

xania2022 · 06/12/2022 17:33

I live in a country where landlords cannot ban pets. They are protected under lease laws and landlords can only ban pets in a very few limited circumstances. None of these apply to me.

I got a cat and messaged the landlord informing them so they are aware in case they ever need to access my unit in emergencies. He got upset, stated he doesn't like animals "in his family home" and operates a no pet clause. Obviously there is nothing he can do under the law of the country I'm in and he should be aware of this.

AIBU to be annoyed by this? He chose to be a landlord in a country where pet exclusion clauses are illegal and tenants have a wide variety of rights and protection. He should be up to date with basic laws and procedures. It is his property and I will take care of it, return it in exactly the same condition and of course I would pay for any damages if they occurred, whether it be cats, children or anything that is my fault.

However, it has rubbed me the wrong way the way he has called it "his family home." I pay an extortionate amount of rent, I pay my rent on time and I'm a good tenant. I have all the necessary insurance, report issues promptly and make sure I do routine maintenance to keep the property and appliances in order. It is his property, but whilst I am renting, it is my home in a sentimental sense and legally mine to exclusively occupy. He does not live here (or anywhere near here, to be exact) and I resent him for not even being up to date on basic residential tenancy act laws.

He's also previously tried to access the unit on the basis of, "it's my home, so why can't I fix things without giving you notice?" (Again, a basic tenancy right.)

AIBU to think you shouldn't be a landlord if you're not going to obey basic residential tenancy laws? AIBU to think that whilst I'm lucky to live in a country where pet exclusion clauses are illegal and unenforceable, owning pets isn't a "luxury" reserved for those who own property, especially in light of my generation (mid 20s) being pretty much f*** in terms of owning property until either I inherit a house or can afford a massive downpayment?

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 06/12/2022 17:36

You just need to keep pointing out that it isn't his family home, it's a rented out property covered by legalisation.

Sparklfairy · 06/12/2022 17:37

Do you have no fault evictions in your country? If not, crack on I would love a cat in my flat

PonkyPonky · 06/12/2022 17:55

I actually think landlords should have the right to say no pets. Controversial opinion I know! But I for one can’t stand animals. They do damage things that aren’t always so easily fixed with money and they smell, obviously dogs more so than cats. But if I had the good fortune to have a property to rent out, I would not want pets in there under any circumstances. As the owner, they should get a say in this.

Keyansier · 06/12/2022 17:56

You sound very entitled. Yes, it's legal what you're doing as you (repeatedly) point out but it sounds like you are purposely trying to stir up trouble IMO.

camdenn · 06/12/2022 17:58

It’s a hard one cause although you’ve done nothing wrong, there’s hundreds of irresponsible pet owners out there that would allow the property to be damaged by the cat eg indoor urination, scratching walls and furniture. So the landlord may retaliate and evict you by claiming he wants to move back in, especially as he’s referring to it as his “family home”

Fladdermus · 06/12/2022 17:58

In my country we report landlords like this to the Renters Union then sit back and enjoy watching them get their arses handed back to them. Sadly whatever the rules there will always be landlords who think they don't apply to them or who are ignorant of the fact they even exist.

HairyMcLarie · 06/12/2022 18:00

PonkyPonky · 06/12/2022 17:55

I actually think landlords should have the right to say no pets. Controversial opinion I know! But I for one can’t stand animals. They do damage things that aren’t always so easily fixed with money and they smell, obviously dogs more so than cats. But if I had the good fortune to have a property to rent out, I would not want pets in there under any circumstances. As the owner, they should get a say in this.

I ban kids from our rental for the same reason.

FrownedUpon · 06/12/2022 18:04

I wouldn’t want a pet in a house I let out. I would have checked first before getting a cat. It’s just basic manners really.

PinkFrogss · 06/12/2022 18:05

PonkyPonky · 06/12/2022 17:55

I actually think landlords should have the right to say no pets. Controversial opinion I know! But I for one can’t stand animals. They do damage things that aren’t always so easily fixed with money and they smell, obviously dogs more so than cats. But if I had the good fortune to have a property to rent out, I would not want pets in there under any circumstances. As the owner, they should get a say in this.

The don’t become a landlord in a country with legislation around having pets in rental homes.

And no, he doesn’t get a say. He can have an opinion but fuck all he can do about it. If he didn’t want pets in his property he shouldn’t have let it out

PinkFrogss · 06/12/2022 18:07

FrownedUpon · 06/12/2022 18:04

I wouldn’t want a pet in a house I let out. I would have checked first before getting a cat. It’s just basic manners really.

Why is it basic manners? OP asks, landlord doesn’t have a choice but to say yes does he, as he’s not allowed to ban pets.

GabriellaMontez · 06/12/2022 18:10

FrownedUpon · 06/12/2022 18:04

I wouldn’t want a pet in a house I let out. I would have checked first before getting a cat. It’s just basic manners really.

Totally missing the point. And ignoring the rules. I guess this is the same thinking as your landlord.

GrumpyPanda · 06/12/2022 18:10

camdenn · 06/12/2022 17:58

It’s a hard one cause although you’ve done nothing wrong, there’s hundreds of irresponsible pet owners out there that would allow the property to be damaged by the cat eg indoor urination, scratching walls and furniture. So the landlord may retaliate and evict you by claiming he wants to move back in, especially as he’s referring to it as his “family home”

If it's the country I'm thinking, the landlord would have to make this very, very plausible first to be held up in court 😁

CorporateBull · 06/12/2022 18:11

PinkFrogss · 06/12/2022 18:05

The don’t become a landlord in a country with legislation around having pets in rental homes.

And no, he doesn’t get a say. He can have an opinion but fuck all he can do about it. If he didn’t want pets in his property he shouldn’t have let it out

Show quote history

Very much this. Being a landlord isn't just a licence to print money and if you're going into it, you need to understand the rights of your tenants.

I have been both a landlord AND tenant. We had to rent out our family house when we went abroad for work; our tenants treated it as their family home, had pets (and children), and we sorted stuff out quickly when needed. We checked with our tenants re access/tradespeople every time. When they left, we refunded the deposit in full because although there was some damage, we needed to get the place sorted out anyway.

I've been the tenant in two houses rented out by people who couldn't really get over it not being their homes. Micro-management of every detail, not allowed to put things on the walls, frequent visits without the necessary notice, refusal to replace broken equipment because they liked it/had bought it at expense so it SHOULDN'T be broken. It's miserable. Despite being good tenants, both of them tried their hardest to take our deposits off us when we left for totally feeble reasons because they wanted it to fund returning the house to exactly how they wanted it.

MelchiorsMistress · 06/12/2022 18:12

Your reaction is a bit extreme. He told you he didn’t like something but there’s fuck all he can do about so it’s not a big drama.

Cats can be a problem with hair and scraping and marking territory or being ill, so it’s hardly unreasonable for the landlords preference to be for a tenant not to have one. He gave you his reaction when you told him and as long as that’s that then I can’t see what he’s done wrong.

You can’t rent sentimental rights to something. That bit makes you sound crazy. Sorry. It’s never ideal when a landlord has any emotional attachment to a home but if that’s the way things have worked out here then it is was it is. You can’t pay for exclusive rights to care about the property, especially if it was once his family home.

antelopevalley · 06/12/2022 18:14

OP you are right.
Renting out a house is a business. Do not run a business if you do not like the laws in the country.
And what you personally think the laws should be is irrelevant.

LaughingCat · 06/12/2022 18:15

He doesn’t get a say, true, buuuut…he also doesn’t need to re-up your tenancy at the end of your contract. If you’ve been there a while and it’s gone to rolling, you may be looking for a new home quite a lot sooner than you expected.

As someone who had to give up her cats when she moved into a rented flat in her twenties in the UK, I have sympathies with your position but in reality, I think this could backfire enormously. Maybe start looking for a new place to stay with a pet friendly landlord/landlady. And tell them first - I mean, even if it’s legal it is a complete dick move not to ask as it’s their property, even if it’s your home. Common decency and all that.

Notimeforaname · 06/12/2022 18:15

If the law protects you..no problem.
Yes its annoying he called it his family home but you cant choose his words for him so just try to get over it and carry on as you are. He sounds like a dick.

Swissnotswiss · 06/12/2022 18:16

Eurgh...landlords that don't understand basic rights are awful. Yanbu! (Remembering time when stupid landlord gave his builders the key to our flat so they could use the toilet when we were at work....)

Soubriquet · 06/12/2022 18:18

Those saying they wouldn’t let a tenant have a pet….don’t rent your home out then.

Whilst it may be your house, it isn’t your home. You have no right at all to interfere as long as the tenant is paying.

Anotherselfemployedcleaner · 06/12/2022 18:24

Totally agree with @PinkFrogss @CorporateBull @antelopevalley

Adhere to the laws surrounding being a landlord according to the country you are in.

If you don’t want to do that, don’t be a landlord.

MarshaMelrose · 06/12/2022 18:24

Clearly you're renting a property and the landlord has to abide by the law and if you have a cat, that's your right.

But why can't it be his family home, though? My friend rented out her house when she went overseas. She still thought of it as her family home. My mum is going into a home and we'll be renting her house to subsidise her costs. But I will always feel it's our family home.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 06/12/2022 18:26

He’s not told you you can’t have a pet just that he doesn’t want one in his family home, it’s an expression , which is a fact, it is his family home just not his current residence.

Where do you life and how long have you been in the property for as some pet laws in many countries have only just changed recently.

HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend · 06/12/2022 18:32

i believe in the UK the law changed in mid July this year and only applied to certain tenancies and was separate to model tenancy agreement which you would need to write to the landlord for permission. (If memory serves)

it’s not as simple in my country it’s X, as it varies depending on your tenancy agreement which is also a legal contract.

loislovesstewie · 06/12/2022 18:33

There are lots of landlords who seem to think that because they own the property they are entitled to do whatever they want. They might own the property but it is your home. If you are allowed to keep pets without asking for permission then he cannot stop you. I would suggest that you contact whatever organisation deals with landlord /tenant issues where you live and discuss with them. In the UK many local authorities have tenancy relations officers who will advise both you and the landlord. They also keep records of any complaints and prosecute landlords if they break any legislation.

theydontspeakforus · 06/12/2022 18:40

A house which you choose not to live in is not your family home.

@HairyMcLarie you don't allow children??

Who even are these people. Take back your home and pay your own bloody mortgage if you don't like the (legal!!!) rights of tenants. Fuck me. Entitled and privileged second home owners really are the lowest of the low.

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