Dog came to our house viewing

[Memberberry]

Our estate agent brought a potential buyer round to view our house today who turned up with their dog. I saw them on the front door ring camera carry it in to our house but when I checked the back garden camera I could see it walking on our carpet!

We have a 5 year old and a 5 month old and it walked all over where the boys play (luckily most of their things were put away for the visit) and the estate agent knows this.

The dog also was carried into their bedroom and held above our baby’s cot.

if this hadn’t annoyed me enough when asked about it the estate agent lied and said the dog was carried the whole time. When I told her we can see it on the ring she said she’d make a note that no pets would be allowed on future viewings and that’s it ok as the dog didn’t go to the toilet in our garden.

I don’t think I’m being unreasonable but just wanted to gauge opinions before I speak to the agent properly tomorrow and whether that’s normal behaviour or is as bizarre as I think it is.

There is no way on God’s green earth that ANY dog - assistance or otherwise - would be coming into my home. No one has a right to demand that. The viewing would simply be refused and that is perfectly legal.

I mean it’s a dog not a sewer rat you will all be fine but if you are unhappy definitely complain

the estate agent should have asked you first it’s a weird thing to do

I agree. I don’t allow animals in my home - full stop. And the rules around assistance dogs don’t apply to private residences

This 100%.

It is not illegal to refuse entry into someone’s personal home as far as I am aware and that goes for both people and animals

That is true - although all the properties were empty….so no risk of allergies etc….

YANBU in the slightest! I’ve viewed houses on my way back from a dog walk before when the agent has rung and asked if I’m free to view it, but my dog has remained in the car at all times 😂 not a chance would I have brought him into someone else’s home!

YANBU.

I’m a dog mum, my dog is absolutely my child (sorry not sorry) but I would never take him to a house viewing bc you just don’t know if the homeowners like dogs?! Not everyone likes dogs and even though you’re selling your home, it’s still your home and people need to be respectful and mindful of that fact.

My fiancé and I very recently went on a few house viewings and before we were due to set off, he said, “aren’t we taking the dog?!” And I said, “absolutely not, you don’t take dogs to a house viewing.” So even I, a dog mum who’s pathetically obsessed with her dog, think you’re more than justified to be feeling annoyed. The viewers should’ve known better.

Our stair gate was broken by someone who viewed our house. They removed the gate from the frame. I can only assume someone tripped over it. The estate agent didn’t say anything and never did address it. We used a different agent after that!

Lying about anything makes the EA unfit for the job.

In this case it happens to be that they were lying about a dog.

I'm enjoying the dog anecdotes but OP has an EA issue not a quadruped issue!

I love animals but I think it’s a bit of a liberty to bring your dog to a viewing - I also get irritated when potential buyers turn up with an army of young children as well that they then don’t watch because they are too busy looking at your house - we’re selling at the moment and doing viewings is the absolute worst 😖 and before I get lynched, I do have children and I appreciate not everyone can get child care but it’s just a pet peeve.

I think you are justified in the opinion. By all means bring them to an additional viewing if you are a serious buyer but my house is not your Saturday afternoon entertainment.

I wouldn't take my dog to view a potential house. It's rude. However, if a dog wandering over your carpets is the most dangerous thing your children face you are lucky. D'you have no friends with dogs, no family who have them? Awkward if you take DC to their house and the dog walks over the carpet where they are playing!

That is not the same thing as having a complete stranger's dog in your house unsupervised and without your consent.

No. I said taking a dog to view a house purchase was rude at the beginning. Didn't you read that bit?

I would rather have a pack of strange little poodles in my house than one estate agent who tells lies.

Yes, I did read that bit but then you seemed to contradict yourself by suggesting that the OP was being too fussy.

Legal action against the seller 😂. Home owners are not legally obliged to allow anyone into their home.

I just wondered how she felt about visiting friends who have dogs, who are liable to have walked all over the carpets and floors, that was all.

I'd prefer not have either. Estate agents are a bit of a law to themselves though. For example when DH and his siblings were selling MIL's house, they were letting the buyer in before exchange of contracts without asking SIL who was responsible for things. They also damaged something - thankfully they did go ahead with the purchase!

That's awful behaviour and I say that as a massive dog person.