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

[xania2022]

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?

No I don't rent to people with children. The property isn't suitable for them, they are noisy and damage things. Granted mine is a short term rental but when I've allowed them previously I've had drawing on the walls, a broken shower from a child hauling themselves up from the floor using the hose, vomit in the carpet, chocolate mushed into the carpet, a broken washing machine due to it being on non stop for 4 days, mud tramped around from pram wheels and nappies left all over the house. So SO entitled so now I say no children.

Pet owners have left it looking pristine so they are more than welcome.

Entitled??

YANBU. A rental is a business venture and needs to be viewed dispassionately. Tenants are treated badly and should be able to settle in and make the place home. If there is damage, it can be dealt with at the end of the lease.

It's just Keyansier, Mumsnet's resident weirdo contrarian.

I do think in general that people don't realise that being a landlord isn't just letting someone else live in a property and them paying you until their contract ends.

If you choose to benefit from the housing needs of the general population/those who don't own property to fund your own lifestyle, then this becomes your business. You have to treat it like one and accept there will be losses, such as damage. But that doesn't give you the right to impede on tenant's lives to an extent that is unreasonable.

I have come across too many landlords who do the bare minimum upkeep, do no maintenance or think renting houses out is simply taking money and letting someone live there. For example, the city I live in is full of landlords who rent out their illegal basements with no fire escapes to afford the overpriced mortgage they should never have taken out. Or people dividing their home up into illegal apartments and not being able to replace the outdated electrical appliances and tenants being left with no oven or shower. I have grown up seeing newspaper stories of people (frequently poorer immigrants) drowning or burning to death as their unit wasn't safe.

If your tenant not paying rent for a couple of months will bankrupt you, then you do not have the financial resources required to maintain properties and are at risk of not being able to meet your professional duties as a landlord, morally or in terms of safety.

I am not against landlords. I appreciate not having to own a house when I frequently move due to my job. I appreciate that I pay rent and then the boiler needing to be replaced isn't my responsibility. I understand that it is not my property and I must take care of it. What I am against is hobby landlords and unethical landlords who don't realise the commitment and cost of legally and morally meeting the upkeep requirements of maintaining property, whilst making unrealistic demands of tenants that impede far too much into their lives when they are paying for the space to be theirs for the period of the tenancy contract.

YANBU for expecting the rules to apply. YABABU for having not quite been the tenant he thought he was getting!

IME children generally cause WAY more wear and tear than pets unless they’re poorly looked after.

When I was a landlord I never said no pets and I never said no children… to much grief from prospective tenants. I just never accepted offers from people with pets and never accepted offers from people with children. Divorcees and single / couple professionals all the way!

He’s cross because he thought he was getting round the rules by being selective and you’ve cornered him! HIBABU by calling it his family home though.