Questions for landlords

[nonamemummy]

If there’s any landlords reading that rent out homes, I’m curious to know how many of you would accept pets in a rented property, accept people who receive benefits or people who have their income topped up?

Pets allowed in 4 out of 5 of our rentals. 2 x houses on benefits. South East landlord

Nope to all but I am only renting out short term my old home so really want to ensure it's kept in good condition

You sound like a nice landlord why would you not allow pets in the 5th property?
I used to see landlords not accepting benefits quite a lot but don’t see it as much now, but see a lot don’t accept pets

Oh that’s fair enough @Bells3032 but why wouldn’t you accept people who receive some benefits? Just curious that’s all!

Yes allow pets as in a couple of dogs or cats and have had people working but claiming housing benefit in our rentals but not at the moment.

No pets - too much damage - but I always accept anyone on benefit or receiving top ups.

My family own a number of properties. Theu have rented to benefits before and come across two issues: benefits can be cut off at a moments notice and they rarely have savings. Then they are told they cannot leave the property and you have to go and through the courts to evict them.

Secondly my family have just found they don't take as good a care of the place. If it was for a general property I wouldn't care as much but my old home which I love I have too much attachment to

Yes to pets at our discretion, currently have two rentals with pets. Have had benefits tenant in the past, unfortunately they did a moonlight flit and had changed the locks so caused us inconvenience, loss of rent, and the uncertainty of not knowing they had actually gone

Thanks for your replies everyone. It’s interesting to know peoples reasons as to why the don’t accept some people or animals. I’m sorry that some of you have had bad experiences. Must be stressful at times!

@Costacoffeeplease When you say ‘pets at your discretion’ how do you decide? Is it the breed?

Yes, I accept cats in one that is unfurnished. I am keen for tenants to feel settled and stay as long as possible and so I try to accomodate things that they would like. Yes also to benefits, universal income etc, I feel that is is discriminatory of landlords who do not and I can't believe some adverts are still allowed to say 'no DSS'. (Scotland)

Pets yes, but if damaged is cause I expect it repaired at end of tenancy. My current tenant has reptiles.

He was made redundant last Summer (probably Brexit related) and called me to say he was going to sort it but had no idea what to do. I gave him advice on how to go about getting benefits. He got temp work but then COVID happened.

He's been great though. Tells me about the problem before it impacts on his rent, and is taking very good care of the place.

Cats, no too many people are allergic so it causes issues with future tenants. Dogs ok with extra deposit & caveats. Benefits aren’t allowed under a lot of Landlord insurance policies and condition of my mortgage.

I let a house in the past and the woman was on benefits. I didnt have many restrictions as I wanted it to be her home. I'd be the same if I let a house again - income of any form, pets and children yes, pictures on wall, yes, some decorating, yes.
I saw a 4 bed rental last week which said no pets or children. Many landlords snap up family homes cheaply and then exclude families.

“Benefits aren’t allowed under a lot of Landlord insurance policies and condition of my mortgage.“

Does that include people working but also receiving money to top up their income?

We are landlords although we rent out the family home whilst on a job posting abroad so it’s not an investment thing. We take pets at our discretion and would say yes to anything as long as it’s not disproportionate to the size of the house, current tenant has a cat and we are completely fine with that but would draw the line at multiple massive dogs as we’d be worried about damage. We can’t allow benefits under the terms of our mortgage, and it’s probably irrelevant anyway since the house is in a fairly expensive area. but even if that wasn’t the case I’d be wary because they can be cut off suddenly and we need the rent money to pay our mortgage.

We allowed our long term tenants to have a dog when she asked because we know she looks after the house, but I'd be a bit more wary of starting out with one.

I am a LL and have 6 b2l houses. I accept children, some pets and will rent to a person who works but claims benefits too but not to people who do not work at all.

If I have a tenant who is working but later loses their job that would be OK.

I have 6 cats and 2 small dogs myself. I like animals. I would accept cats, they are very clean animals and small dogs, a budgie or rabbits living in hutch in garden. I could not allow a tenant with a snake as I am terrified of them or a vicious looking dog.

I know I am too soft on tenants because I let them paint it to their own taste as well and put things on the walls. I want the tenant to think of it as their home. I think they do as one tenant has now been with me for 8 years and another for 6 years.

I don't charge them for renewal of contract documents and if anything breaks I get it fixed within 24 hours as I have a gas fitter and electrician who I use for all properties including my own so they give me preference. All I ask that if something breaks tell me at once as if left the damage often gets worse.

Interesting to read some of the responses. We lived in our rental for nearly 3 years. Not even allowed a fish! Not allowed to paint, they only allow us to breathe because we pay the rent on time.

I didn’t realise that you aren’t allowed to paint or hang things on walls?!

Insurance just asks if tenants work, are students, are retired or are unemployed. Some insurers will not insure if tenants unemployed. My mortgages also state I can rent to employed, students or retired people but not unemployed or family members.

I wouldn’t accept pets I don’t think- maybe I’d change my mind if I met them lol but no not really.

Benefits I would have to meet them first and understand their situation. If they’d just lost their job and were looking for another then perhaps but long term unemployed for no reason then nahhh.

The income topped up is tax credits I wouldn’t be too bothered about but again I’d have to see meet the person etc

I own my property out right so I’m not tied to any mortgage lenders rules etc but done people are tied in so they have to be carful

I do let my tenant paint and decorate how she wants (within reason I mean non-black walls) I want her to feel like it’s her home so if decorating makes her feel it’s more homey that’s fine

@spilltheteaa, I can't think what harm a fish would do. I think you have just been unlucky.

I no longer have to advertise as I have a waiting list and tenants tend to ask me if their sister, cousin or friend can have my next property empty. If you have a good tenant who pays rent on time and does not annoy the neighbours I like it when they refer a family member, friend or colleague to me.

I think if you treat your tenants well, they are more likely to look after the property, if it feels like their home.

I wouldn’t want to let a tenant paint, it’s easier to go over white either between tenants or for when we eventually move back. Thankfully ours haven’t asked. For hanging you can use command strips, we’ve always use those even though we own as it’s way easier but I genuinely wouldn’t mind if a tenant put up a nail to hang something. And who the hell would object to a fish?! Surely they’re more like a decoration that needs a bit of maintenance than a pet?!