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Original poster

Renting with a dog

48 replies

Spidey66 · 20/07/2023 09:57

We're currently in London. I'm late 50s, my husband early 60s, no kids.
😢
We're keen to move to the Somerset area ASAP. We currently live in a 2 bed flat with a small garden. We've been here since mid 90s so the mortgage is paid off.

Our plan is to sell our flat and move into rented in the short term so we are cash buyers.

I've been looking online and have hit a problem. We have a medium sized well behaved dog, and it seems landlords don't like dogs 😢. We really can't bear to be parted from her, we'd miss her too much and she us (we left her a night with a relative at the weekend and while she was OK, she did show signs of missing us (looking round for us on a walk and hiding in her bed.)

We're actually only looking for a short term letting, estimate of 6 months.

Has anyone successfully found rented accommodation that allows a dog? I assume it's easier if the property has hard floors and would be prepared to pay for a deep clean after. It seems dogs are the new smoking!

OP posts:
Original poster
Spidey66 · 20/07/2023 09:58

First emoji in wrong place!

OP posts:
Jongleterre · 20/07/2023 10:04

Offer to pay a premium and ti have all carpets professionally cleaned when you leave.

PragmaticWench · 20/07/2023 10:09

All rentals are at a massive premium at the moment and competition for them is high, as are the prices. Do you have to split your sale and purchase?

ComtesseDeSpair · 20/07/2023 10:10

AirB&Bs often allow dogs - and are also going to be far more flexible and accommodating in terms of a short term let. With the huge competition in the rental market at the moment, I think you’ll struggle to find landlords who will both agree to a six month tenancy and accommodate dogs.

Original poster
Spidey66 · 20/07/2023 10:11

@PragmaticWench
We just thought it would be easier as we don't want to get a mortgage or any kind of loan and go in as cash buyers.

OP posts:
Octaviathethird · 20/07/2023 10:15

I think you'll struggle, especially if you tell the prospective landlord that you only want the property for 6 months! We have 2 rental properties in Somerset that accept dogs but the cost of getting a property ready for the next tenant is usually about a year's rent so we wouldn't be keen to let for only 6 months, especially when there is often more to do when there has been a pet in the property!

Maddy70 · 20/07/2023 10:21

There was a law passed recently that prevents landlords from excluding dogs.

KievLoverTwo · 20/07/2023 10:22

We don't have a dog but we have a cat, weirdly some LLs seem to dislike cats even more. We have successfully rented two houses in the countryside with cats in the last two years.

This year I have taken a new approach. 'Dear agent, I see the advert specifies no pets. We are a couple in our 40s with a six figure income and substantial savings but we have one, well behaved 12 year old cat. We did have a (former cat) ruin a carpet in a rental, we just replaced it by the same manufacturer before the LL knew. Please get in touch if your landlord thinks we might be a good fit.'

I haven't had a blanket 'no way' back yet.

I think they are far more likely to consider you if they know you are going to be a responsible person in advance.

You could also offer to pay the landlord's pet insurance.

We have had far better luck further out in the countryside where more people have pets than closer into town: recently built houses in immaculate condition.

I also think the short term lets (who often specify in the ad) are more likely to consider. Those who know they have to sell or move back in. I keep seeing big price drops in these cases because very few people only want a home for under a year.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 20/07/2023 10:24

Maddy70 · 20/07/2023 10:21

There was a law passed recently that prevents landlords from excluding dogs.

Yes, but there hasn’t been a ‘law’ passed saying that the landlord has to choose the person with the dog instead of the person without one.
Of course, it may be different in Spain where you have a rapturous existence, as you keep telling us.

somersetsoulgirl · 20/07/2023 10:44

As someone who was in your predicament a few years back, but who also had children ! I know how difficult it is - I have a dog friendly Airbnb which is often used by guests who are in between properties - the holiday let market is quite slow this year so you may find someone who will rent out their short term let for a longer period. Which are of Somerset are you looking at as I may be able to help?

Original poster
Spidey66 · 20/07/2023 10:58

@somersetsoulgirl
were looking to buy in Frome but can be more flexible with the rental. Ideally within 20 miles and preferably a town rather than rural so it maybe into Wiltshire eg Warminster, Westbury, Bath.

Hadnt considered AirBnB, that’s a good suggestIon.

We’re down soon for 2 weeks in a holiday let. We’d stayed there in the spring and my husband had suggested it as a longer term let as it is dog friendly but I’m concerned they may have potential guests already booked in but it’s worth looking into

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somersetsoulgirl · 20/07/2023 11:26

I am a bit further west from Frome - near the market town of Taunton. When visiting, you could always ask your host if they would consider a longer term and if they have availability- many hosts are becoming more despondent with Airbnb so they may be willing to help. Good luck.

GasPanic · 20/07/2023 11:36

Don't use the dog.

Landlords prefer cash or bank transfer.

ReadtheReviews · 20/07/2023 11:40

Contact private landlords and offer bigger deposit. Contact holiday rentals and ask if they would be interested in renting long term. We did the second option and very luckily have lived here 8 years with our 2 dogs.

RicksTheHunk · 20/07/2023 11:49

First time we offered double deposit, second time we hit gold with an understanding LL who realises that it’s life, people have dogs, it’s not unusual and most tenants are decent people. I think your biggest problem is the six month lease.

RidingMyBike · 20/07/2023 11:52

As someone who has just done this, albeit with child rather than dog, you'll struggle to find a landlord prepared to accept this.

Competition was very fierce and a six month tenancy simply wasn't an option. There were people queueing up for viewings and you had to prove you were the 'best' candidate to be able to proceed. We were turned down for at least one viewing because we have a child.

On the flip side everything moved so slowly that we actually needed to be in the rental for 18 months so taking out a 12 month tenancy wasn't a problem in the end!

It might be worth posting on some local social media explaining your circs. Can you juggle the timing so the six months is in the winter/low season as you may manage to get an Air BnB or holiday let?

grosslyunfair · 20/07/2023 11:57

I also did this- sold house and moved to rental with a dog. I called round all the agencies as the6 all said no dogs and offered to pay the rent up front. A lot still said no but I did find a nice place- no premium but rent in advance and as others have said a professional deep clean of carpets at the end of the tenancy.

Original poster
Spidey66 · 20/07/2023 12:58

GasPanic · 20/07/2023 11:36

Don't use the dog.

Landlords prefer cash or bank transfer.

Sorry I don't understand what you mean by not using the dog?

OP posts:
thinkfast · 20/07/2023 13:14

If you're planning to fund your new purchase entirely from the sale of your current property, you will still be cash buyers OP as you won't be getting a mortgage. It's just that you won't be chain free. Are you sure about your idea of renting a property in the meantime? It seems like you're adding an extra layer of complexity into the process.

Original poster
Spidey66 · 20/07/2023 13:28

We'll be chain free in that we won't have to wait on buyers though.

OP posts:
Original poster
Spidey66 · 20/07/2023 13:34

We stayed in a holiday let in the spring and are using the same house next month for 2 weeks. The owner is aware of our plan and appears friendly and helpful and said if she can offer adviceto feel free. I have asked if possible if we can rent her place as this will likely be off peak, or if she can recommend. I have also emailed estate agents locally. I looked on Airbnb but they're eye watering expensive!

OP posts:
somersetsoulgirl · 20/07/2023 13:46

Many Airbnb's have a special pricing / discounts for longer periods. If you find a property that permit dogs and have some availability you can send a request for their best price.

Original poster
Spidey66 · 20/07/2023 13:52

@somersetsoulgirl
Ah I wasn't aware of that. I've only used them once and that was for a 3 night break when my husband got a gift card for his bday!

OP posts:
kitchenhelprequired · 20/07/2023 14:31

LL's aren't allowed to accept more than 5 weeks rent as a deposit which is why many won't accept pets - there's a greater risk of damage that can't be mitigated. Looking for 6 months won't go in your favour as all the renting costs are now paid by the landlord so 6 months isn't long enough to write those off plus risk if more damage the move moving in and out that happens. You might also hit a wall on short term holiday rentals as rules have recently changed and to be registered as business premises (rather than for council tax) they need to be commercially let for at least 70 nights per year excluding any booking over 28 days. Basically there is a massive gap in rules for anyone wanting accommodation for between 28 days and 6 months.

GCAcademic · 20/07/2023 14:36

You might have to be prepared to put up with a more rural location. Landlords around where I live do generally accept dogs but it's pretty rural here.

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