ANY LANDLORDS ABOUT PLS? QUICK QUESTION.

[Vallhala]

I've posted this in chat too, anxious to get some help please.

I'm a dog rescuer and have been asked to find urgent rescue places for 2 dogs which were being cared for by a tenant, Mr S, whilst the dogs' owner is abroad. Mr S's lease doesn't allow him to have pets in the property and some kind soul has decided to report Mr S to his Landlord's agent.

The agents have told him that the dogs must be removed immediately, that they will be carrying out an unannounced spot check in the next couple of days and that he will be evicted within the week if the dogs are not gone. Now as a tenant myself I know that the LL or agent can't just throw the poor (and very distraught) Mr S out without going through procedure and I'm pretty sure that they can't just walk in and do a spot check. Can anyone advise on what his position is please?

I'm trying to buy enough time to find a place for the dogs to go to (not easy with any dogs, and these poor sods are Staffies) whilst not endangering Mr S's tenancy any further. He only took in the dogs because the original pre-arranged carer had let the owner down!

Thanks in advance.

Val

They can do a spot check if they have given notice (usually 24 hours) but I would be surprised if they were allowed to evict him solely because he had dogs. Most leases (the properties I let and the properties I have rented in the past) say that tenants are not allowed pets without the permission of the LL but that that permission cannot be unreasonably withheld.

Can he check his lease to see what it says? I agree, it won't be easy to find homes for SBTs.

Interesting point... I'll ask him to check tomorrow when I call him again, thank you. If I can buy some time I will be able to find foster or rescue space for the dogs, it's a beggar but I've never failed yet and don;t intend to see these babes go down either.

Thank you. :)

They have to give 24 hours notice in writing. I think that Landlords often ask for a larger deposit if there are animals, I was advised to by our agent.

I'm a landlord and use a general AST agreement which does include a clause of no animals whithout prior written permission by myself. The terms of the agreement state that any breaches of the AST can result in an end to the Tenancy.

I can also carry out inspections of the property as long as I give prior notice (24 hours in my agreement).

He would have to check his tenancy agreement but I would think if he has breached it then the landlord can serve notice. However I do not think you can evict someone with just a weeks notice, although I have never had to do this and tbh have never looked into it.

I would suggest he speaks to the landlord direct and expains that the dogs will only be there for a short time, appologises for the misunderstanding in not asking prior permission and hope the landlord is understanding!

Certainly worth a go, thank you. Anything is at present!

I think I'll also offer to speak to the agent or LL myself and explain that I'm a rescue rep doing all I possibly can to get the dogs out of the property asap and plead for time to do that.

Thank you.

I'd try and speak to the landlord direct. My tenants have a dog but I knew this when they came to view the house and seeing as they have a baby I know they will keep the garden and house clean (it helps that I know them and have mutual friends so I would know if the house was not being kept in good condition).

As long as the dogs are house trained, not damaging anything and not barking constantly the landlord may be ok about it if its for a fixed period.