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.

[Floralnomad]

@Mix56 where has the OP said she wants to give them a bad reference what the OP said is ‘does she have to say she wouldn’t have them as tenants again ‘ which actually implies that she would rather not say it .

[Bickles]

No but I allow cats because we had cats when we lived there. Puppies are more incontinent! Our kitten was a 6 week old rescue when we got him and he’s only missed the litter tray twice in his life (he’s 9).

[custardbear]

They're being pathetic and entitled, a big dog in a second floor flat is unfair on neighbours and the dog, imagine if it howls when they're out, or bites a neighbour etc., it's also in the contract they read and signed sonic they had mouth you then respond accordingly with a short sharp overview of their entitlement

[Mummyoflittledragon]

Yes, they’re being entitled, but I wouldn’t condemn them if they don’t get a dog. They’re young and impetuous by the sound of it. In that case, I would think to give an honest reference. Eg paid on time / not, left place clean / not etc.

[namechangeforfriday]

I know I’m a minority here but I think it’s completely unreasonable for landlords to blanket disallow pets - it should be on a case by case basis. The PP is right that you don’t own their lives. I’d never become a landlord but if I was, I would allow pets. It’s even more ridiculous that even flat owners can have clauses in the lease that don’t allow pets. It’s no one else’s business what people do in homes that they’re paying to live in. Children are often as noisy, messy and annoying as dogs but you can’t ban people from having them.

[namechangeforfriday]

@Mix56

I think you are being unfair wanting to give them a bad reference, they paid upfront, etc
They asked if they could have a dog, you said No, they are leaving...

And this is completely unreasonable. You’re just being an arse for the sake of it, and potentially making their housing situation very difficult. You said no and they didn’t like it and took action, as they’re perfectly entitled to do.

[Thisisnotnormal69]

@namechangeforfriday

I know I’m a minority here but I think it’s completely unreasonable for landlords to blanket disallow pets - it should be on a case by case basis. The PP is right that you don’t own their lives. I’d never become a landlord but if I was, I would allow pets. It’s even more ridiculous that even flat owners can have clauses in the lease that don’t allow pets. It’s no one else’s business what people do in homes that they’re paying to live in. Children are often as noisy, messy and annoying as dogs but you can’t ban people from having them.

@namechangeforfriday maybe if you were a landlord you’d understand! In an ideal world of course it would be fine, everyone can have pets and there would be not problems.

Unfortunately when you get new tenants you have no idea what kind of people they will be, some might be the most respectful, honest, and clean people who would look after a pet well, never cause any damage etc. Others destroy things, don’t give a shit about keeping things nicely, let dog/cat piss all over floors and ruin carpets, ruin furniture. And sometimes even if you were to take the money for damages from the deposit it wouldn’t be enough to cover it. Especially now there are limits to the amount of deposit. It’s just a massive risk to landlords and if things go tits up it’s them that have to cover the costs.

[randomsabreuse]

I wouldn't disallow "established" pets, but would be less keen on introducing new pets, especially puppies or kittens, unless I had a house with a good set up for pets (tiled floors, separate utility room type layout).

Why add complexity to your rental situation unnecessarily?

Totally different if you already have a well trained pet.

[user1494050295]

I have but we don’t have carpets. I think if we did have carpets I would have it written in to have carpets replaced when they move out. If you can do that. Having said that if they appear to be good tenants I would say yes as they won’t leave

[lakesidewinter]

OP legally you aren't allowed to ask for a larger deposit to cover pets anymore.
So I would definitely say no in your situation.

[Creamegg11]

I didn’t say I wanted to give a bad reference? My last tenants reference asked whether I would have the same tenants again and a comment box to add any comments. Just wondering whether I should be honest that’s all incase I am asked similar questions. Of course, if it’s a case of ticking whether they paid their rent on time, then I’ll tick the box. I don’t believe in being mean. If anything I’ll give them a glowing reference so they can move out of my flat.

Also they didn’t ask whether they could have pets, they told me they are planning to and I won’t even go into the long mean email they sent me accusing me of invading their privacy by parking on and outside the driveway that doesn’t even belong to them amongst other things. I was picking up mail from underneath doormat (I was expecting a council tax bill) and arranging a roofer to take a look at a leak in the flat that they reported to me, both points they knew about.
They’ve only been in the flat 8 weeks. I offered to compromise on possibly a cat but even then, they were accusing me of being discriminatory against them for wanting a puppy/dog. Saying they have evidence in the flat that I let previous tenants have pets in the flat due to a cat flap. What they don’t know or clarify with me is the cat flap belonged to me when I lived in the flat as I had two cats. The whole episode has been upsetting as I try to be a fair and good landlord.

[Lily193]

Ask any experienced landlord and they pretty much all refuse pets including us.

We're experienced landlords and allow cats, dogs - even a rescue puppy with one of our long-term tenants. We've had far worse damage caused by children than any dogs. I wouldn't allow a dog in any flat without garden access though.

[AyDeeAitchDee]

Cat I'd allow (with a deposit and frequent checks no damage was being done)

But a puppy is a no. Chewing and weeing machines.

[Creamegg11]

My last tenants, the lady was pregnant when they moved in. Apart from the odd scribble on a door from their toddler, they kept the flat immaculate. I frequently gave them my child’s outgrown clothes as there were only a year’s difference between them.

[MissSmith80]

My tenant asked if I would consider it before she actually made plans. I asked her to give me the weekend to think about it. She had been the perfect tenant for 4 years so I said yes. She then said that she would send me a letter to confirm that she would redecorate and replace carpets on leaving (which she did, no idea if it's legally binding but it was so good of her to do that). 3 years on, she and her dog are still happy residents and the house is still immaculate. No plans to change our arrangement. Maybe this is a fairy story for most but it's true and counteracts a lot of the horror stories.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

If they’ve sent you nasty emails, I definitely would be truthful and say you wouldn’t have them as tenants again. They sound like hard work. Not everyone is as nice as your previous tenants. Much as you have to be attentive to your tenant’s needs, this is a business transaction.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

@MissSmith80

My tenant asked if I would consider it before she actually made plans. I asked her to give me the weekend to think about it. She had been the perfect tenant for 4 years so I said yes. She then said that she would send me a letter to confirm that she would redecorate and replace carpets on leaving (which she did, no idea if it's legally binding but it was so good of her to do that). 3 years on, she and her dog are still happy residents and the house is still immaculate. No plans to change our arrangement. Maybe this is a fairy story for most but it's true and counteracts a lot of the horror stories.

I presume you are in the UK. As a ll, you know the tenant doesn’t need to do either of these things especially considering the length of tenancy. Are you going to try to insist on her fulfilling this agreement? It won’t have any legal bearing.

[Creamegg11]

I think it’s a case of their immaturity. I didn’t even respond to the mean points, just kept it professional, friendly and said I was surprised by the comments but I didn’t want to address them as it’s of no benefit. Agent said they not sure what they gain from it.

Hopefully they’ll find a place, preferably a house or downstairs flat with immediate access to a garden and a landlord that allows them a puppy/dog.

Just don’t get the rude attitude and defensive behaviour of some people, it’s unnecessary.

Hopefully my next tenants will be respectful ones.

[LyingDogsLie1]

I don’t know what kind of lease you have, which will differ re how many flats are in the block - but it’s not unusual at all to need the consent of the Landlord (in the head lease) for consent for a pet or the other tenants where there freehold is shared.

They’ll have difficulty moving on OP with a plan to get a Labrador puppy. Good luck and good riddance.

[SD1978]

I wouldn't. A new tenant, who either has suddenly decided without much thought to get a puppy, or a new tenant who always planned to get a puppy and figured they'd just be told yes. I'd be expecting proof of decent tenancy/ paying bills first, then it could be discussed. I would say not at the moment u der those circumstances, but that it could be redressed after minimum 8 months and property inspection.

[LyingDogsLie1]

All those asking re reference checks - I have completed several as a landlord. They are two questions “are they in arrears” and “have they paid rent on time” there is not usually a space for free text to cast aspersions like “tenant might be the sort to want a Labrador in the near future”.

I’ve had exemplary tenants who’s praises I have wanted to sing and not been able to.

I agree OP a Labrador has no place in an upstairs flat. Toilet training would be a nightmare and the flat would end up soiled.

[Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow]

Only if they are happy to recarpet the place.

[Burnthurst187]

Having seen my dad and brother's houses after they've both had.a puppy there, absolutely no

[user1471538283]

No. A puppy is very different to an adult dog or cat. How much additional bond will they give you? Would it cover nearly a complete refurb? Puppies are buggers for chewing things including base boards and doors. If the puppy messes on the carpets it could smell

[IdblowJonSnow]

Not a chance! Cheeky fuckery of the highest.
I bet they'll get one anyway so I'd watch out for that.
Cynical me.