Finding a rental property that will accept a dog

[Soindecisive]

I've been phoning around a few letting agencies today to see how many rental properties are out there that will take dogs.

There seem to be very few in my neck of the woods (a large town in the SE).

I just wondered what other experiences people have had. We are selling a property and are looking for a rental property to bridge the gap, but with the response I'm getting - I'm not sure if this is an option.

I really really struggled.

The only ones I found was someone who was desperate as the house was shit and I told the EA my dog was a lab possibly crossed with a Rottweiler because he had those markings but it could be a setter (he's as rott as rott can be ) and the EA told the LL my puppy was just a small dog. Needless to say... LL was a bit shocked when he turned up.

Another wanted 1k extra on deposit and another wanted a full professional clean of the house afterwards. I rang every estate agent in Northampton to get those beauties.

put yourself in the landlord's position. Dog size and breed doesn't matter. He/she will be concerned about

endless barking giving complaints from the neighbours
escape from the garden
destruction by chewing and scratching
fleas
dog smell everywhere making it unrentable to future tenants without far more expense than your deposit will cover.
carpets and floors excreted on.

of course, not all dogs will do this and there are ways to prevent these problems. So offer solutions.

with answers and prevention for these you can negotiate.

Offer to take out insurance especially designed for pet owning tenants. The net has companies on it which provide this, do a bit of Googling and see what you think.

Offer a higher deposit or a slightly higher monthly rent.

Guarantee in writing that you'll pay for damages and carpet/furnishing cleaning.

Get references from, for example, a dog walker or sitter if you use one or, if you've taken on a dog from a rescue ask the homechecker if they will act as referee to prove your current home is in good, non-chewed, non flea ridden repair.

Advertise! Look at private landlords. Put an ad in Gumtree (be prepared for some dodgy responses, not all "landlords" on there are genuine so keep your wits about you - if it looks to good to be true it might be).

Put ads in shop windows in the area/s that you want to rent. Ask in local independent shops if the staff know of any properties going.

Be persistent with agents. In the experience of many friends agents who have read or assume no pets will just fob you off with that answer. Insist that they actually ask the landlord, explain things which are to your advantage (eg the dog is small/old/you've had him for 6 years/you're a SAHM and dog will rarely be left for more than a couple of hours/he's got his obedience certificates/he attends training or agility and is not left bored and destructive).

There's a website which offers advice on this, hang on and I'll find it (my friend had this dilemma a few months ago, she found a private landlord through posting in the free ads)

here you are!

I think rural places are more willing/used to it. But I guess there aren't many around in the SE. Maybe a village?

If I had a rental property I wouldn't allow dogs.

Yes, I agree, rowna. Soindecisive, if you and DH can cope with the commute etc from a village for the interim I think you'd have far more success aiming for that than trying to find a town house.

Quite common in rural areas.

Thanks everyone - that give me a bit more hope. So many ideas I hadn't considered. We have one smallish dog BTW!

I am a ll in the SE and wondering if you're looking in an "on-sea" location as I've just been approached by my letting agent about someone with a dog. I've said no due to the increased wear and tear on the property (brand new carpets and decor), smells and my own allergy. I'm not sure what the answer is but I don't think you'll find many decent lls who have well maintained properties are willing to take the risk. Sadly too many irresponsible dog owners out there. Good luck!

Are you looking for a flat or a house?
The problem with flats is that the leasehold covenant often states no dogs or pets without freeholder's consent, and that's too much hassle for a LL to deal with. And of course the potential dog barking etc. that would soon annoy neighbours.

We have a dog and have rented 3 different houses with him. What worked for us was always phoning to ask letting agents about the possibility of a dog in each individual house, as often a landlord has said a blanket 'no' but will reconsider. We always offered an extra deposit although this was never taken up. We signed something to say that we would pay for any damage caused by the dog. In general I think the key is to persevere!

When we were looking for our current rental, whenever we found a house we liked, we asked the estate to ask the landlord in advance whether they'd consider a small dog (we have a tiny yorkie). It helped that the estate agent had seen the house we were living in at the time and knew that it was clean and there was no doggy smell, so could honestly say to the landlord that we would keep the house in good condition.