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.

[Onlyonewayout]

I’d be keeping a close eye on them that they don’t just get a puppy. I’m a dog owner and previously had a lab. She was gorgeous but huge even in our three bed terrace house. I’m not sure it’s fair on anyone to have a lab in a flat.

[midnightstar66]

And having just read your updates - absolutely no way a Labrador in a flat. Heavy footed so annoying down stairs neighbour, dirt magnets, power chewers. I love them but would never have one in a flat

[picklemewalnuts]

@midnightstar66

My pup is 7 mo the bow and hasn't destroyed a thing. You wouldn't know she existed if you came in if it weren't for her bowls, however she's tiny (Jack Russell) and a breed typically easy to train. I'd be interested in what breed as I'd allow a small dog but not a huge one. The main concern for me would be the fact they are new tenants and you don't know yet if they are good ones: my landlord thankfully agreed but I'd been here 6 years

It's a total lottery, though. I've had two dogs as an adult. The first (adult) - in one night- scratched through the vinyl tiles and into the concrete below, and chewed the doorframe of that room, too. Didn't like being put there to sleep.

The second (puppy) chewed through the leg of a chair, chewed the skirting board corners, the bottom of the book shelves... as well as many small items (tv remote, phone) that we're then binned. He still can't resist a pencil or a small cardboard box.

Every dog is a gamble, you just don't know which way it will go, and have to be prepared and able to tolerate both!

[domesticslattern]

A labrador in a first floor flat!!!!!
You would be barmy to say yes. if nothing else think of the poor sods living in the flat below. The noise of paws, scampering, toys, barking... Does your flat lease even allow it?
Personally I feel sorry for the dog too.

[Happyspud]

No way

[Justpassingtime1]

No 1. It is in the tenancy agreement and so it is a favour. They should have therefore asked before . Once you give in like this who knows what they will ask for?
No 2 The premises is not ideal for a biggish dog and your agent is mad to even consider it . Get another agent
No 3 The law will not protect you from the hassle and damage you may incur. While some insurances may cover wilful damage the fact
you have allowed them to break the lease may not be helpful
No 4 Who will be at home minding the dog?
I would refuse showing both the t agreement and head lease
These sorts of tenants are a pain They should not be in a flat

[midnightstar66]

Every dog is a gamble, you just don't know which way it will go, and have to be prepared and able to tolerate both!

I do agree with that but at the same time a Labrador or Rottweiler will be capable of so much more damage than a chihuahua, are capable of much more noise, accidents far worse for flooring etc just by their size alone. We have also negated lots of issues due to the fact dpup never needs to be left alone in the house and sleeps in our beds so no protests there either. She has lots of toys and other enrichment that keep her busy/tired her. The luck part has come in that shes not a barker as the breed can be prone (although that's partially down to training and not being left as well) I've known plenty Labradors and every one has been a chewer regardless of all these things though. There are definitely breeds where chewing etc has a higher chance.

[Pipapple]

No way. We agreed to one cat and our tenants got two massive tomcats that ruined the carpet by ripping it up at one of the joins. Never again.

[dhisreadingmypostsagain]

It it was a house I'd say yes, but not in a flat without access to a garden that's bit fair on anyone.

[SuitedandBooted]

Well done for clearly saying No.
These people need to read their contract, and ask you, not announce what they intend to do. Given you are giving permission, I wonder if there would be problems with insurance etc if it did a lot of damage. I have a lovely, non- destructive dog, but I know plenty that aren't. A Lab puppy in a first floor flat is not acceptable IMO, either to you, or the person underneath!

[AllieCat26]

Oh wow, I hope they find a landlord that lets them get a puppy. Just because you own the house, doesn’t mean that you own their lives and what they do in it. Can’t they just pay a lot more for a deposit? I honestly can’t believe the audacity of all the landlords on here that say that they own dogs but would stop their tenant owning a dog, you are complete hypocrites.😡 You’re the reason that loads of people have to rehome their beloved animals. In Germany etc. you can rent and have pets - tenants should have more rights. You are literally having someone pay your mortgage for you, and getting profits as well. Wow!

[SuitedandBooted]

Just because you own the house, doesn’t mean that you own their lives and what they do in it

Actually the OP can control what they do in her FIRST FLOOR FLAT, which has no direct access to a garden, and a neighbour underneath. This is not a good place to have a large dog.

[LolaSmiles]

Oh wow, I hope they find a landlord that lets them get a puppy. Just because you own the house, doesn’t mean that you own their lives and what they do in it
Actually they can decide what risks they want to take with their property.

The OP doesn't own the tenants' lives, but she sure as hell has a right to decide if she wants to allow tenants to willingly ignore the contract they've signed when they agreed to rent the property.

Aside from that, a first floor flat with limited outdoor space is no place for a puppy.

If the tenants wanted a dog then they should have looked for an appropriate property that allowed pets.

[TheoneandObi]

Dog owner and landlord here. I think if the rules were laid at the beginning - no pets - then no way. If they'd asked before signing and or raised the possibility then I'd be thinking about it. But you were very upfront and clearly they haven't been

[Betty94]

In this circumstance I'd say no, flats and puppies do not mix in my opinion.

[Twizbe]

@AllieCat26

Oh wow, I hope they find a landlord that lets them get a puppy. Just because you own the house, doesn’t mean that you own their lives and what they do in it. Can’t they just pay a lot more for a deposit? I honestly can’t believe the audacity of all the landlords on here that say that they own dogs but would stop their tenant owning a dog, you are complete hypocrites.😡 You’re the reason that loads of people have to rehome their beloved animals. In Germany etc. you can rent and have pets - tenants should have more rights. You are literally having someone pay your mortgage for you, and getting profits as well. Wow!

You're kidding right? Most private landlords aren't rich, most barely cover their mortgage and are at huge financial risk of a tenant causes significant damage or doesn't pay rent.

Repairs are not cheap and they are well within their rights to not put their property at risk of damage. In their own (owned) homes they can take that risk.

[Soubriquet]

A puppy no

An already trained adult dog, maybe

[Astella22]

It’s such a shame that renting isn’t more like on the continent where when you move out you repaint and leave the place in exactly the same condition you found it in. Renting is the uk is awful, you can’t even hang a picture without permission.
It really comes down to the dogs owner, owning a dog doesn’t mean the place will be in a state not if the owner is a responsible person.

[Creamegg11]

@AllieCat26

Oh wow, I hope they find a landlord that lets them get a puppy. Just because you own the house, doesn’t mean that you own their lives and what they do in it. Can’t they just pay a lot more for a deposit? I honestly can’t believe the audacity of all the landlords on here that say that they own dogs but would stop their tenant owning a dog, you are complete hypocrites.😡 You’re the reason that loads of people have to rehome their beloved animals. In Germany etc. you can rent and have pets - tenants should have more rights. You are literally having someone pay your mortgage for you, and getting profits as well. Wow!

So you’ll be happy to allow tenants that you’ve only had for two months, that willing signed a contract that stated no pets, made no request for a pet to the agent and now planning not even asking the landlord for a puppy which will grow into a fairly sized dog and raise it in a 2 bedroom upstairs flat with no immediate access to a garden? What consideration is that to downstairs neighbour if dog starts using their part of a garden as a toilet and what if neighbours are scared or allergic to dogs? I’m not keen on dog using my part of the garden either.

Not fair on dog either in my opinion.

[WombatChocolate]

I would email and say that as per the contract they signed, no pets are allowed in the property. I would say that you feel strongly about this issue and although it might be disappointing, you expect this condition of the rental agreement to be adhered to and that if they feel strongly about getting a pet, you will understand if they give notice to vacate at the end of their fixed term.
I would ask them to reply to acknowledge receipt of your email. And if they do t reply, I would ask for acknowledgement again.

I would also ensure that a property inspection occurs within the next few weeks so you can see if a dog is living there.

There is a reasonable liklihood that they will ignore you and get a dog anyway. It will be useful to keep the communication about this as unfortunately it might be that you will need to evict over this issue.

When letting properties, as well as terms like no pets being in the contract, I would always emphasise them verbally to prospective tenants, along with no extra adults to move in without permission and no sub-letting.
I would also provide a property file in the property. This would contain things like manuals for applicances, details of bin days and who the current utility suppliers are (but stating they are free to alter the supplier) and details such as the date rent is due and what items the landlord is responsible for in case of breakdown, plus a reiteration of anything such as no pets, no sub-letting. It would also contain a copy of the tenancy agreement standard terms.Such a file is rarely looked at, but if a tenant asks a question such as if they can get a dog, it is often easy to give an answer and remind them they have the file with all this information laid out.

It is unfortunate if you said you’d think about it, when it’s already in the contract. The simplest thing would have been able to point out that the issue is already dealt with and they have already signed up to your policy on this. The issue then becomes less emotional and disappointment ting and just matter of fact.

For those who want a pet or feel it’s not right that landlords say no, it’s an issue to take up before a tenancy begins. If a landlord has said no pets in advance and it’s clear in the contract, there’s no real point then being disappointed a few months in if you ask and get a no.

For those who find the issue difficult, I think the problem is that a landlord simply cannot know if a pet will cause damage or not....and a tenant who hasn’t even got the pet yet can’t know either. Extra deposits aren’t allowed and even if they were, the damage that can be caused by let’s can far exceed this. Some of the issues to do with smells deep within carpets can remain for years after the tenant with pets moves out and result in significant extra costs which fall on the landlord not the tenant if even after the deposit is withheld, the costs aren’t fully covered. There is a significant liklihood of this kind of thing. That’s why most landlords aren’t keen. And that’s before even getting into the question of whether certain properties are even suitable for certain types or sizes of pets, especially when other residents are in the same building.

As always, clarity in advance about expectations and clarity in communication is key. Op, you haven started the conversation entirely clearly but now you must be clear about what the contract permits and that you intend to hold the tenants to it.....if you don’t make it very clear, there is a higher liklihood of that tenant just getting a dog anyway. If you are clear and ask them to acknowledge your terms and that they understand and expect to adhere to them, you put yourself in the best position moving forward.

[WombatChocolate]

Op, sorry I just saw your update that you said no to them.

Did you also ask them to acknowledge receipt of your reply? I just say that because otherwise it can sometimes happen that a tenant just goes ahead and says they never received it.

If you didn’t ask for an acknowledgement, I would just send another follow-up email or text and ask them to reply to let you know they’ve seen what you said. You can still keep it light and friendly and maybe mention it as an add-on to saying something else.

I think it will really help you to receive this acknowledgement from them...plus it might make them think harder about just going ahead with a pet regardless. Of course, most tenants are very decent and after your message would be disappointed but stick to what you said......but the odd one will go ahead, and the fact this one was just telling you their plans rather than asking if it would be okay And I rather than checking their agreement, just makes me wonder if they might be the latter type.


It is tough on tenants who are pet lovers. However both property owners and tenants know that let’s can do lots of damage and often the pet owners struggle to prevent it. When it’s your property and you’ll bear all the costs and inconvenience of that yourself, that’s one thing.....but the reality is that rarely do tenants fully absorb the full costs and inconvenience of pet damage, but much falls on the landlord.....and that’s not reasonable, so most landlords will day no to those types of pets. Tenants should see this issue from the owners point of view too. Until there is a way to ensure the tenant covers all the costs (which can be vast) and bears all the inconvenience of sorting it out, such pets will remain a no-no. And unfortunately there really isn’t a way to make sure landlords don’t bear the costs and inconvenience which is why the answer will remain no for most tenants.

[Creamegg11]

Wow, that’s a comprehensive response WonbatChocolate, thank you!
Some useful pointers too which I’ll be sure to consider.
I don’t think I’ll be allowed to do an inspection just yet due to Covid restrictions but will do as soon as I’m allowed.

[WombatChocolate]

I use a letting agent and they didn’t do inspections through the main lockdown period, but started again in July. It was done with the inspection company video-conferencing the tenant and the tenant showing them round the property with their phone on video mode. The inspectors tell them what to film and show them and when to take an actual photo for the report. They also make them test the carbon monoxide alarm and smoke alarm for the camera.

With new tenants it’s important to inspect within about 3-4 months as problems will probably have appeared by then.

[Soubriquet]

I had an inspection yesterday so they are definitely happening again