AIBU to be so annoyed about this.

[TeaAndTattoos]

I will try and keep this as brief as possible. My DH and I are looking for a new house to rent I found a 2 bedroom flat the advert said pets allowed when I messaged I asked about pets just to clarify that they are definitely allowed the landlord said yes I told him what pets we have 3 cats and a very small Jack Russell I don’t work I’m a career for my parents so the dog is always with me landlord again said fine I arranged a viewing. We went to the viewing I reminded him again about the pets he said absolutely fine. I’ve just checked my emails now and the landlord has declined our application because of the pets. Why say they were fine and let me waste my time viewing the property if he knew that he would never accept us because of them. Why are private landlords such twats.

That is quite a few animals for a small flat. Did you ask about pets? Or did you ask about 3 cats and a dog? Perhaps that’s it. I hope you find somewhere.

How frustrating for you.

In my very first message to the landlord I asked specifically about pets he said yes depending on what you had so I told him what we had and he said that was fine not a problem and then decided that it would be the reason why he denied our application. If it was never fine then that should’ve been told to me from the very beginning not let me make an appointment for a viewing and then use it as his reason to say no. I get that pets aren’t allowed in all houses fine but be upfront with me about it don’t waste my time.

As a landlord I know that when I have had several applications it often comes down to things like pets which tip it in someone else’s favour. I would also be fine with pets but if someone else applied without pets I would go with them so this may be what has happened

It is so frustrating especially when we desperately need to get out of where we are living at the minute he made out like we fit all of his criteria and then did that to us. We’ve been looking since October and at this point I really don’t think we are going to find anywhere which just leaves us stuck in an unsafe flat with a landlord that wouldn’t care if a wall fell down tomorrow.

Thank you I just wish he hadn’t done what he did and the thing is the flat is still available to rent so he didn’t find anyone suitable for it. I’m just annoyed at the way he went about it. I don’t mind being told sorry no pets but be upfront about it.

It’s disappointing but probably when he thought about it in depth, he realised he just didn’t want a tenant in a small flat bringing three cats and a dog with them. Personally, I’d agree with him.

How do you know ow it's still available to rent?

I agree that in all likelihood, they were okay with it if it meant you were the only interest received, but between you and tenants with no pets, it makes sense they'd also go with the family without pets.

The other possibility is the age of your pets. Puppy/kitten or older are more likely to do damage.

Lastly, and I suspect the actual reason. Your dog is a jack Russell, notorious for being little non stop barkers. A nightmare for neighbours, especially in a small flat.

its the way he’s gone about it especially when he made out like we fit all of his criteria when we obviously didn’t. I would’ve preferred if he had just told me when I said what pets we had sorry that’s too many for the flat fine but to let us view it knowing that he wouldn’t be accepting us is just out of order.

Apply again asking what would make the difference. Maybe a bigger pet bond or similar. But maybe he has given pet as an excuse, and there was something else about your situation he wasn’t comfortable with.

Because it’s still on OpenRent as available if he had found someone it wouldn’t still be on there. The dog is 1 year old this month oldest cats are 9 youngest cat is 5 if they were destructive it anyway they would’ve done damage to our current flat they haven’t. As for the dog if I asked my neighbours how loud the dog is they would probably be surprised to learn that we even have one she doesn’t bark all day continuously because she’s never here she goes to my parents house with me where she wears herself out playing with their dog and by the time we get home at 11pm she’s ready for her bed.

I have a rental property and never allow animals. I can understand why you are annoyed though if he had previously said it was OK. I'm very upfront, no animals, no children and no smoking.

OpenRent won’t allow me to apply again unfortunately. He never asked for any sort of deposit it was just £750 to move in and £150 every month to the landlord because he pays the gas/electric and water bills for the whole block of 4 flats. If he had asked about any extra money for the pets we would’ve happily paid it. The only other thing he could’ve had a problem with me is me not working but being a full time career for my parents but my DH works full time but I guess he knew he couldn’t use that as his reason so he chose the pets instead.

It's a crappy thing he's done but in all fairness 3 cats and a dog in a 2 bed flat is quite a lot. It might be the number that's putting him off.

Thank you see that’s what I prefer be upfront and honest with me it’s fine it won’t offend me but don’t make out like it’s fine and then use it as the reason to deny out application that’s just shitty.

It really is a crappy thing to do I wouldn’t have cared if he had said no it would’ve been fine but he knew before I even arranged a viewing how many pets we had that’s what annoys me it’s not like he found out at the viewing he knew well before the appointment was made so I don’t understand why he used it as reason to say no. Unless it was because I’m not working I’m a full time career for my parents and my DH works full time but he knew he couldn’t use that as his reason to say no.

Genuinely not sure how you manage to say no children given age is a protected characteristic unless the property is genuinely unsuitable for children

As of May the Renters Rights (think its called that) will stop landlords from barring people because of stuff like that anyway

They don't usually rake the advert off until all the checks have been done and the contract is signed.

It's all well you saying your dog doesn't bark but how would the landlord know but for your words from someone with a vetted interest.

Also, my experience with a yorkie is that small dog don't start really barking until after 18 months old, we couldn't believe how good ours was and how lucky we were... until they turned that age and became protective of their home. Even with all the training, they bark a bit in the evenings. Nothing bad because we're constantly on it (for our benefit!) and we live in a detached house anyway, but as a landlord myself, I would never let a flat to tenants with a Jack Russell with the reputation they have (however lovely they indeed are).

Three cats and a dog!! That’s loads in a little flat I’d say no to you. Hope you find somewhere.

He may have just decided that it's not worth the hassle to have that number of pets.
He's not allowed to ask for a pet deposit. He could ask for a normal deposit, but some landlords don't think the admin side is worth it.
Given the change in renters rights it would be a pain to evict you if the pets caused damage.
If one tenant isnt working, there's a good chance that the utilities would exceed £150 a month quite quickly. All of that could add up to list that's got more negatives than positives, and TBH it's a landlords market at the minute.

I'm sorry you've lost it though, and I hope you find somewhere soon.

If I were a landlord I might consider “pets” bit I wouldn’t consider 3 cats and a dog in a small flat tbh. I think you will struggle to find many who would, unless they’re desperate. Round here it’s definitely a landlord’s market- 10/20 applications for every rental so once they get their shortlist they can afford to get pickier.

@Newmumatlast the rules may be changing, but honestly, if a landlord doesn't want to take kids, smokers or pets, how are you going to make them? They'll just choose someone different from a very long list, and say they're more suitable. It's a stupid rule that's not enforceable when there's a lack of properties to rent and too many people need housing.

I agree that was not a kind thing to do. However I object to ‘private landlords are twats’. I am one and I can assure you I am not.
Do you have anyway of contacting him other than through openrent?
Next time I’d get any agreement about pets in writing straight away.

"Pets" might well be allowed, but meaning that the landlord is happy with a hamster, fish or possibly one adult cat - 3 cats and a dog is "A Lot of Pets" and could cause a lot of damage, noise and mess in a small area, especially if the flat doesn't have free access to outdoors for the cats.

We had similar several times.. Took us a whole year to find a house with 2 ddogs...
Can you get a reference from your current landlord /neighbours that your dpets have never caused damage /nuisance?
Our landlord gave us a glowing reference..