Dog came to our house viewing

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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.

Dog lover with two dogs and no way would I think that’s ok. My husband has an assistance dog so legally we can take her into a lot of places other dogs can’t go but still wouldn’t dream of taking her to a house viewing, at least not without express permission of the owners! Bonkers.

It’s a bit weird, I have two dogs and can’t imagine why I’d bring them. Maybe their dog can’t be left alone and they don’t have a sitter? I think you are overreacting though. What’s wrong with the dog being held over or near your baby’s cot?

When I'm selling my 7 figure property I shall absolutely tell you to leave your dog behind. My dogs don't need your mutt in their home.

I don't work in the legal industry, but I don't think discrimination laws apply to private home owners, although I could be totally wrong. I'm actually interested to know that answer?

Oh and of course I would welcome a blind person and their dog into my home, but I'd really struggle not to pet and make a fuss over the working dog - which I don't think you are supposed to do 🤣

Disagree with this. It’s a private property. My DH has a guide dog and wouldn’t dream of viewing a private house without giving the home owners some notice / asking permission. obviously reasonable adjustments have to be made but no harm or issue with giving people a heads up.

Honestly imagining was a cavalier spaniel

@Fanlover1122

because if someone in the sellers family is allergic to dogs, it doesn't matter if it's a guide dog or not, they're still allergic to it.

I would not mind at all, I'd be a bit miffed if it was a hairy st Bernard sloshing slobber everywhere but if it's a little dog being carried it wouldn't bother me.
But then I prefer dogs to people any day of the week

I'm an estate agent and it annoys me so much when people turn up with dogs, and I'm a dog lover. I don't let them in, or they do it turns while one stands outside with the dog. I just explain that I don't know if anyone is allergic in the house so it's better to err on the side of caution. People that turn up with cups of coffee is another one that annoys me, like what if you spill it, they are often a similar type to the dog people LOL!

I don’t want animal hairs in my home, especially not where my children sleep. It wouldn’t have been so bad if they’d stayed by the door or kept away from their beds.

Is there any reason the dog can’t stay outside (assuming it’s not 90 degree sunshine)?

@Barney16

hiw much of a deep clean do you think a carpet would need after a handbag dog has taken a dozen steps on it exactly??

The state agent might not have known the viewer was bringing a dog, and they aren’t going to turn away a potential buyer, but they should have handled this situation better.

She apparently loved the house and wants to put an offer but her house isn’t even on the market yet. We had asked the estate agents to only allow people to view if they have their house on the market after two viewings last week with people not ready to sell yet.

Dog owner and lover here! Totally outrageous behaviour, I’d be tempted to say one of your kids has had a mild allergic reaction and you want the place cleaned!

It's bang out of order the EA lied. If you've made it explicit that no pets can be present at viewings then they need to adhere to it. Some people have extreme allergies and the notion the EA thinks they can get away with having the dog there without consequence is very unprofessional.
Of course you don't care if the buyer owns a dog, but you should tell EA in no uncertain terms if one is brought into the house you will know, and you'll happily use someone else to sell.
I honestly think a lot of EAs will do anything they can for a comission. They are not regulated and unfortunately the 'profession' rarely attracts the brightest and the best.

Op, judging by your latest update as well as the dog incident this EA is not serious at all.

Just get rid of them and find a better one if you can?

Can't belive someone rocks up with a pooch tbh. How entitled. It doesn't matter if you are carrying it or it's on foot. Or it's it's a county Manor or a bedsit. No one wants your dog in their house. They put up with it to sell it, but you can be sure secretly they despise you and hope you love the house because doggy does and pay full price! Especially if just been hoovered and cleaned for a view.

I have dogs and they aren't invited, it's not as if they are going to have a say in buying it:) they can wait in the car or stay home.

If I was the OP I would be straight on the phone to the estate agent tomorrow to cancel my contract with them for two reasons, bringing a dog into my home and for lying about it

And then I would review on their website, social media or trust pilot about the fact they did this and lied about it

I don’t allow friends and families dogs into my home so I certainly wouldn’t want a random strangers.

I would be very angry with the Estate Agent. Even if they believed you wouldn't mind a dog being brought to the viewing they shouldn't have lied or minimised your concerns. If you are not tied to a contract I would drop them.

it's an odd thing to do, just turn up with your dog, but given it's a handbag dog, not a Newfoundland they probably don't think of it the same way.

Given they were carrying it, the EA probably couldn't see the harm in allowing it.

maybe the Agent didn't see it not being carried?

you'd look a bit daft demanding a deep clean simply because a handbag dog walking a few steps on your carpet.

im a dog owner but would never take my dog to look at a house, the person living there might have allergies, it maight get scared and have a wee in a strange place i am angry for you

@AutumnTimeForCosy24 if a Newfoundland turned up at my home with prospective buyers, I'd probably reduce my asking price 🤣.

I haven't had the opportunity to be around many, but the few interactions I have had, I just feel so content.

I adore dogs, but i wouldn't be happy about that at all. I would've thought it went without saying, that dogs do not attend house viewings without obtaining prior consent. You could have allergies, the dog could leave fleas, cause damage, or you just might not like dogs and not want them in your property. Tbh, it's utterly disgraceful that the estate agent didn't send them packing when they turned up with the dog. It's a breach of trust.

@Beesandhoney123

you cannot speak for 'everyone'

I wouldn't mind people bringing their dog

I wouldn't be secretly despising them

I find it odd to do so without asking first, I'd never have thought to stipulate that when discussing things with the EA.