Would you let your tenants have a puppy?

[Creamegg11]

Just that really. Tenants moved in two months ago into my two bedroom first floor flat with a section of back garden. They hadn’t mention any wants of having a dog when the letting agents asked all prospective tenants of any requirement that they want. I just had new carpets fitted to stairs and landing last year.

Tenants offered to pay extra deposit and puppy proof the flat with covers for floors etc. What annoys me is their text saying they are planning to get a puppy instead of asking whether it’s possible. It clearly states in their tenancy contract that no pets allowed unless landlord gives consent.

I told them I have a think. I don’t want the hassle of any damage or smell to flat from a dog once they leave, offer deposit or not.

I'd say no, because they have been a bit underhand. If they been upfront I would have considered it!

Lifelong dog owner and dog lover here, but no fucking way. I would never allow a tenant to have a dog or cat. Protect your property.

I wouldn’t, no. They’ve not long moved in - for long-standing tenants who I knew, I’d consider it. Even then, a puppy is basically a walking destruction machine for months. And it’s a first floor flat so they’ll piss off the downstairs neighbours.

I’m afraid in your position I’d say a firm no.

Oooooo my gut feeling would be a no - we had a German shepherd pup and she gnawed skirting boards, chewed up doors, shredded a sofa - and this dog was not bored, she'd go to work with exDP and she had three long walks a day! She grew into an amazing dog but the puppyhood was tough going.

Having said that, if your tenants are willing to cover the cost of any damage, and they're otherwise good tenants (references etc.) it might be worth considering . . .

(Ex-LL and dog-lover, btw)

No, our puppy chewed skirting board and side of kitchen units

No, I wouldn't.
Even if they pay extra for the cleaning, you've no guarantee all traces of the dog will go.

We once rented a property only to discover fleas a few weeks down the line. Grim isn't the word.

Plus it might disturb neighbours and then you will end up with complaints from them.

Would you need freeholders permission to have pets? If you do, use that as your get our clause. I am a freeholder and we have a blanket no for dogs, due to the noise and smell. Other leaseholders can start complaining and then you have to be the heartless person who makes them get rid of a dog. Just save all the hassle.

I wouldn't let them have a dog, let alone a puppy who will likely chew. Its not worth the hassle you will have when they leave.

No. Reason being that it's very difficult to find a landlord who will allow a dog and if they end up moving they may end up dumping said dog to make the house hunt easier. They don't sound terribly responsible.

They’re thinking of getting a Labrador. Not a small dog, I just don’t think it’s practical having a big dog in a flat.

No way. Dogs shouldn't be kept in flats without direct access to a garden (my opinion)

Just say no.

No. I'd possibly consider it with long term, known renters, but you've no idea what kind of tenants they are after just 2 months. And the "just kind of letting you know" text would piss me off tbh.

Would you need freeholders permission to have pets? If you do, use that as your get our clause.

The op doesn't need a "get out" clause. The agreement clearly states no pets without landlord permission. All that is needed is a firm NO. If these people definitely wanted a dog they should have rented somewhere else.

I love dogs and have 2 , but no way would i let my tenant have a dog .
Far to much potential trouble.

Honestly, I don't really understand why you're even considering it. You have no idea what kind of dog owners they would be, then throw in the piss, shit, barking, and potential for massive damage to your property, it's an obvious no. Then wanting a dog is not your problem.

We own our flat but still had to apply and pay for permission.

If we weren't ground floor, we wouldn't have done it. My friends upstairs neighbour has dogs and they're tiny but you hear every step they take because dogs can't tiptoe.

That's a firm no

Don't be surprised if they get one anyway. Hope you have a good deposit from them through a proper deposit scheme. Puppies destroy stuff.

*Them

What does it say in the contract?

We got a dog while renting but we had been there a long while so knew the landlord well enough to have a sensible discussion when we requested it, he was an adult dog, and it was a house with a decent lawn straight out the kitchen door. A puppy, in a flat, from new tenants, nope!

Think of their neighbours under them! Especially with a relatively large dog.

You have to let them out hourly at first, and throughout the night. Imagine how annoying it would be for others around?

Imagine having a shared garden but one person allows their dog to use it as a toilet.

And the damage puppies can do! I'm sat here with my two dogs right now, and can remember all the stupid things they ate, and how ruined our wood doors used to be

Absolutely not!

Have you ever had a lab puppy?!

They are great, but they need space, they chew, and any dog needs quick access to the garden when they are being toilet trained.

It will wreck your new carpets. It may even eat them.

Think of it as you just giving the tenants a lump sum of money equivalent to what you have just spent in carpets, and maybe the cost of a few kitchen cabinets as well. Because that is what it could cost you.

They also sound very irresponsible. So not the best dog owners.