To wonder what to do about dogs and renting?

[rentalhead]

We are in a desperate situation and need to move asap due to being evicted. 2.4 family and professionals. Looking at unfurnished houses with hard floors and gardens and despite offering to cover any possible damage we have been passed over for 6 houses that we've offered on due to two dogs who are about as good as it gets. Not noisy or scratchers or anything. I am at wits end with what to do as there is so little on market and LLs. What would you do or offer to placate a landlord who was concerned? I'm really getting worried we will have to rehome them or something. I can't even imagine doing this but I am desperate to get a roof over our heads.

Larger deposit
rent up front
extra £ per month
references from previous LL re state of house post dogs

We had to rehome one of my friends cats due to her tenancy ending and nowhere taking her because of her.

My other friend had to offer a huge deposit on a really quite grotty house so she could keep her dog.

It's idiots who leave them in barking or damage property and leave houses in a state for the landlord you have to thank.

I have dogs and cats and even I think I'd choose the none pet people over pet people if I didn't want damage done to my house.

It is shit though. I really hope you find somewhere.

I was going to say the exact same, along with looking at other areas and more estate agents.

This is one of these awful ill intentioned consequences of government policies to protect tenants. Landlords used to be able to accept a bigger deposit to cover a pet but they can't do that any more.

I think they are now changing the law to say that landlords have to accept tenants with pets. You could try just not telling the landlord you have dogs and move in.
Then before any inspections hide the dogs things and take them out.

If you can get a 12 month contract with no break clause the law may well have changed anyway before they can get you to leave. It will also be much harder to evict tenants after the changes as long as you pay the rent and don't damage the property.

As a landlord myself, don't tell them.

If they're doing a visit, hide dog at someone else's house/in car/wherever.
None of my tenants told me and they all have dogs. I personally don't mind, but if I did they'd be b0g all I could do about it.

Crikey - I'm too honest for my own good haha! I'd be worried we'd get told on by neighbours... it's hard to hide two dogs! Will keep plugging on. I couldn't give up my mutts any more than I'd give up my kids as much as I might like to occasionally.

I paid the years rent up front. And they had just dropped price due to no interest and they offered it to me at the old price. It's really hard

We have 4 ddogs and landlord is selling our home.. Me and dh on sleeping pills and antidepressants... I can grasp why homeless people have ddogs.. Can't part with these..

What do you think the landlord would be able to do if the neighbours told on you? And how would the neighbours even know who your landlord was?

I wouldn't normally suggest being any less than truthful but tbh the law will change soon to allow pets. Landlords will however continue to want tenants without pets so tenants will be better off no mentioning it.

Personally I think it was better when landlords were allowed to take extra deposits for pets.

4 dogs is so many though. That's really difficult.

We were assured they never sell properties... Until they realised inheritance tax would hit them when ils died..... Apparently care homes is the way forward for such charlatans.... Our home is falling apart - no repairs done.. I hope it sits empty and ends up derelict....
Not that I am bitter at all

...

@thoonerismspread I can't believe you've admitted to being a landlord on Mumsnet, it's like the biggest sin! 😂
I agree with you, also some landlords will happily take pets
Hope you get sorted @rentalhead

@Skibberblue why is four dogs too many? Imagine if you told her four kids was too many!

I dont think lying is the way to go. I just think it could potentially put you on such bad terms with the landlord.

I agree with the poster who suggested offering higher rental payments a month and a reference about the dogs from current landlord along with extra deposit.

We always lied.

Offering higher rent might work if the OP can afford it. The landlord isn't allowed to accept a higher deposit legally (wrong in my opinion)

It isn't that I don't think people should have four dogs just that I think it will be tricky to find a new rental with four dogs.

Four children might make it harder to find a rental property you could afford with enough space. However at least the council would have to provide emergency accommodation and hopefully eventually something permanent.

Frankly, don’t tell them. It’s a knee jerk thing with landlords, agents etc. They know they can get a tenant anyway, so won’t gamble on someone with a pet in case they are a nightmare. My friend had to do just this when she lost her home. Eventually landlord found out but they were fine as had already done inspections and been delighted with her. She had shipped dogs out to her daughter during inspections but didn’t like lying. She told them she had to take pets due to death in family (true, but occurred before she moved in!).

I was in this position several years ago. I didn’t mention the dog, waited six months after moving in, then said my grandad had died (he’s been dead tears & really would mind my lie) leaving behind his elderly pooch. Said it was with me temporarily as I had to re home. Pooch obviously never left!

But if you're in a town with close neighbours either side it's going to be an issue no?

@rentalhead you've not included why you are being evicted, (in the most polite way) would that cloud the next landlords judgement?

It's S21 so anyone's guess. No earthly reason why we are in this position other than her refusal to do any repairs. So we won't be getting a direct ref from her. It's all messy and horrifically stressful.

Sounds awful, do you have any charities near that could give you more help with information ( everyone says shelter citizens or advice but there are many others)
Salvation Army does lots of work with the homeless community so they must have seen situations like yours before, with them having no emotions attached and a team they might be one to ask?

I just want to avoid actual eviction and frightening my kids. I'm not sleeping and have other major issues going on. I just want to find something nice and get them settled and sign a longer lease. If it gets really tricky then we're going to have to find someone to look after the dogs for a period I don't know. I can't imagine getting to that point but I need to prioritise my family obviously. It's very scary.

I wasn't trying to say you would be homeless, I was saying it's something they deal with on a daily basis with no emotional attachment to the situation so will approach it very differently to you.