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Original poster

Worried we will be evicted after inspection today

51 replies

MumshoutsaLOT · 09/12/2025 11:48

I'm hoping that any landlords or anyone with a similar situation might be able to reassure me after my inspection today as I've convinced myself that I'm going to be evicted and I'm working myself into a panic.

Back story. We've rented our flat for almost 10 years. We keep it in immaculate condition and have never had any concerns from the landlord. We are settled here, this is our home and the kids are settled at school. The landlord charges us below market rate as we have been good tenants and look after the property. If we were to be evicted, we would be priced out the area and the prices have more than doubled since we've moved in. The thought of having to move my children from their school and support network is unbearable.

The property is managed through an estate agent (a pretty rubbish one) but the landlord is amazing and is always quick to act with any issues we've ever had. I.e. broken appliances, new carpets after 7 years as the old carpets were thread bare etc...

We had our annual inspection today and the house isn't up to the usual immaculate condition as we've all been loaded with this nasty flu the past few weeks. Nothing major, just some unwashed dishes on the worktop, unusually full landry baskets and the beds are unmade. The house basically lookes lived in rather than a show home like we usually keep it.

The main issue is that MIL has been in hospital with this nasty flu and we've had to bring her pet hamster to ours to take care of while she's not at home.

I hadn't even given it a second thought as it's cage is sitting in the corner and my husband is the one that cares for it.

the inspector immediately pointed out today that there's a no pets policy on our contract. This is true and something we've always followed as I don't like pets anyway or the smell of them. But he noted down that we have a hamster and I'm now terrified that they will evict us as they think they belong to us.

If you are a landlord, would you evict a Tennant in this situation? I feel so stupid for not even thinking about the cage sitting out when our contract bans pets in the home. Add that to the clutter lying around, I'm worried they will think we are not caring for their property they way we should be.

I wish I had just rescheduled the visit for when we were all recovered from this flu and the pet was back at MIL's

OP posts:
SJone0101 · 09/12/2025 11:50

If your LL evicted you for a small hamster that doesn't even belong to you, he would be an arse.

But, after 10 years, a clean and tidy house, I really doubt he would evict you.

Original poster
MumshoutsaLOT · 09/12/2025 11:52

SJone0101 · 09/12/2025 11:50

If your LL evicted you for a small hamster that doesn't even belong to you, he would be an arse.

But, after 10 years, a clean and tidy house, I really doubt he would evict you.

Thank you for the reassurance. The inspector made me feel like I had broken the law when he pointed it out. I forgot it was even there until he mentioned it.

OP posts:
RB68 · 09/12/2025 11:53

I would contact the LL if you can and explain the situation - if not email the agency. Hope MIL doing better. Is there anyone else that can take it on while she recovers now you have time to draw breath - in future if they book one of these in and you have a relative in hospital speak to them and push it out to a more convenient time

AllJoyAndNoFun · 09/12/2025 11:54

As a landlord I do specify no caged rodents due to the escape and chew risk ( I’m fine with cats and dogs). However in this case I’d probably just send an email saying the hamster has to go. I wouldn’t evict a 10 year reliably paying tenant over it. I’ve also never had actual tidiness of house mentioned on an inspection report- only damage to the actual structure or fittings and I doubt those houses were always immaculately tidy. I think it would only be mentioned if v scummy and likely to attract rats or something.

NellieJean · 09/12/2025 11:56

I doubt you have anything to worry about but your post points to the incredibly insecure feeling that many private renters endure.

Titasaducksarse · 09/12/2025 11:59

I'm a LL and busted my then tenant who had a dog there after someone posted about it going missing on FB! They were looking after it for ill parent. No drama, it left, there we go.

Pumpkindoodles · 09/12/2025 11:59

If they evict you over a hamster in a cage that you’re looking after for a person in hospital, and an unmade bed, then they were going to find a reason to evict you anyway. That doesn’t sound like your experience with your landlord over the last 10 years, so I really wouldn’t worry.
it’s also so difficult to actually evict people.

Original poster
MumshoutsaLOT · 09/12/2025 12:01

RB68 · 09/12/2025 11:53

I would contact the LL if you can and explain the situation - if not email the agency. Hope MIL doing better. Is there anyone else that can take it on while she recovers now you have time to draw breath - in future if they book one of these in and you have a relative in hospital speak to them and push it out to a more convenient time

Thank you. We are the only other relatives so didn't really have a choice. MIL lives too far away so going to feed/clean it daily wasn't an option as we both work and were sick ourselves.

We don't have any contact details for the LL as they live abroad. The only way to contact is through the Agency.

We actually forgot the visit was today as we have been too sick to even think straight. The email with the date was sent out months ago. I definitely would have rearranged if I had remembered. It was only when they knocked the door that we realised.

MIL is on the mend and is likely to be home in the next week or so, so we wont have the hamster much longer thankfully. I'll maybe offer for them to do another visit when things are back to normal so they know for sure it isn't our hamster.

OP posts:
skyeisthelimit · 09/12/2025 12:15

presumably you told the estate agent that it was temporary due to MIL illness and you didn't think about the no pets thing when you took it in.

Most LL would just ask that you remove it.

cestlavielife · 09/12/2025 12:19

Just explain why the hamsterwas there temporarily

Theharmlessone · 09/12/2025 12:22

I'm a landlord and if you were my tenant I certainly wouldn't evict you for this! You've got a good track record, and aslong as you pay the rent on time and the house is kept in good condition, a hamster wouldn't bother me in the slightest! Try not to worry, you'll be fine.

Original poster
MumshoutsaLOT · 09/12/2025 12:23

skyeisthelimit · 09/12/2025 12:15

presumably you told the estate agent that it was temporary due to MIL illness and you didn't think about the no pets thing when you took it in.

Most LL would just ask that you remove it.

I explained that it was MIL's and we were looking after it as she was sick with the flu.

He didn't seem too convinced though. He was also being extra thorough as he was training a new guy too so it's really put me on edge now.

There's never usually a problem like this and I apologiesd for the dishes and small areas of clutter, explaining we have all been really unwell.

@NellieJean You are so right. I always feel like I can't relax incase someone comes to my door and tells me I'm being evicted, or they want to do a random check, or the landlord might decide to sell up one day, especially with the new rules coming next year for landlords. It's a gut wrenching position to be in.

I wish we could afford to save for our own deposit to buy somewhere but it's just getting further and further out of reach with the way the property market is. We also wont ever inherit anything as our families are poor working class and barely scrape by themselves. They are all lucky enough to have social housing so are at least a little more secure than we will ever be.

OP posts:
Astra53 · 09/12/2025 12:38

Don't forget that the estate agent will be getting a management fee for collecting the rent and overseeing the property. They won't want to see you go. You provide them with a steady income!

Freesiapleaser · 09/12/2025 12:41

I'm a landlord and a tenant. As a landlord I would not give a shit as long as any damages were put right If you'd been there that long with a good track record I honestly would be fine with pretty much anything. As a tenant, I have an inspection coming up and am bricking it. It's a tiny house which hasn't been looked after at all. I've had permission to upgrade it with my own money which I have but I'm still worried hey will create drama. I know the elderly neighbours don't like the noise from the kids even though we are very considerate and look after the garden / not antisocial / grit paths etc. I am worried we will be given section 21 after Christmas anyway and we've had a traumatic year. We just need a bit of peace. It's so crap! I just don't understand why we can't be more European (affordable long contracts, tenants responsible for repairs) and why this government insists on moving it all to big private companies who will then put prices up.

BellaBal · 09/12/2025 12:44

Your MiL owns a hamster?? I didn’t think any adults without little owned hamsters. I’m intrigued …

Glitchymn1 · 09/12/2025 12:44

God no. I work in a related field and a bloody hamster eviction is unheard of!
The landlord may send a letter saying please rehome the hammy.

Angrybird76 · 09/12/2025 12:45

Poor you. I remember this feeling from renting. inspections are the worst and manage to make you feel you are not safe and secure in your home. People who havent rented dont realise the anxiety this creates. i rented for a time after my separation when I was sorting out my divorce and I lived in fear every inspection that my child and dog would do something daft. The flipping dog was sick in the kitchen in front of the estate agent on one occasion! We weren't evicted. This is a natural feeling of worry and as other PPs said, unlikely that anything will happen at all. Just explain to the landlord.

Vinvertebrate · 09/12/2025 12:52

I think you'll be fine with a hamster, but bear in mind that a "no pets" stipulation might not be your immediate landlord's decision. We own a leasehold house in a new development and "no pets" is a condition of our lease and applies to all residents, whether they rent or own the leasehold. We rented to a couple who accepted the terms and then moved in with two dogs - initially claiming they were the MIL's and she was in hospital. We had irate neighbours on the phone within hours and a letter from the freeholder's solicitor within days, and the tenants were evicted less than 2 weeks later.

It's always best to disclose these things up front rather than leave them to be discovered by the agent.

JDM625 · 09/12/2025 12:57

I would have taken the cage and sat in the car whilst the inspection occurred, but as you said, you forgot they were coming. You have a good track record and some dishes on the side wouldn't bother me, nor would minding a relatives hamster.

I'd be more annoyed at turning up to inspect the everyone was sick. I hope you are all on the mend now.

Original poster
MumshoutsaLOT · 09/12/2025 12:58

BellaBal · 09/12/2025 12:44

Your MiL owns a hamster?? I didn’t think any adults without little owned hamsters. I’m intrigued …

I'm not sure why this is so strange to you? A hamster is an easy pet to care for when you're elderly. They are also adorable. She's always had one as long as I know her.

OP posts:
Original poster
MumshoutsaLOT · 09/12/2025 13:03

Vinvertebrate · 09/12/2025 12:52

I think you'll be fine with a hamster, but bear in mind that a "no pets" stipulation might not be your immediate landlord's decision. We own a leasehold house in a new development and "no pets" is a condition of our lease and applies to all residents, whether they rent or own the leasehold. We rented to a couple who accepted the terms and then moved in with two dogs - initially claiming they were the MIL's and she was in hospital. We had irate neighbours on the phone within hours and a letter from the freeholder's solicitor within days, and the tenants were evicted less than 2 weeks later.

It's always best to disclose these things up front rather than leave them to be discovered by the agent.

I completely agree with you. In my circumstances I think it's a preference of the landlord as other flats in the building have dogs and cats etc.

I personally don't like to keep animals as pets because I don't like the smell or the extra cleaning/care that they need. I also think it's cruel to keep a pet in a cage or a small flat if they aren't caged animals.

Part of the reason we chose this flat was the no pets rule as the thought of the potential contamination on the carpets or furniture gives me the ick. Each to their own and I don't judge those that do like pets, but It's not for me.

OP posts:
Friendlygingercat · 09/12/2025 13:06

Firstly you have the wrong idea of what the agent is entitled to do during an inspection. They are not your manager or your parent. They are a provider of services. They are there to inspect the fabric of the building and its general maintenance and ensure that the terms of the lease are being complied with. It is not their place to comment on your possessions or your standard of housekeeping. So its as well to remind them of this if they get snippy. While its true that you had broken the rules by having the animal there without permission, they had no right to talk down to you or make you feel humiliated. That is unprofessional behaviour and you have a right to complain about that.

I would email the LL and (copied to agent) and assure them that the hamster does not belong to you and is there on a purely temporary basis while a relative is in hospital. You are aware that you had nominally violated the lease for which you apologise. You will be returning the animal to their owner in the near future. If the agent made you feel humiliated or bullied you can make a formal complaint to the regulator with whom they are registered. Agents need to be kept firmly in their box!

If another inspection falls while the hamster is still there put it somewhere out of sight - in your car or the garage. Or maybe a friend or neighbour would take it for a few hours.

The LL is not going to evict you for looking after a relative's hamster!

IsMyDairyTheProblem · 09/12/2025 13:07

OP I honestly wouldn't worry. I used to let flats out in Edinburgh. One of the best tenants I had asked to keep hamsters in a cage and I said it was fine. They were well looked after and there was no damage or problem with flat when she went.

I honestly think the worst that will happen will be them reminding you of the no pets policy and saying once the hamster goes you shouldn't do it again.

I say this as someone who rented out a really nice flat and was very fussy!

Friendlygingercat · 09/12/2025 13:24

Just read in your comment that the agent was "training a new guy". Did he seek permissiont to bring anyone extra random into your home? If not then he should have done so. That is a justifiable complaint. Its your home and he is only a functionary and there by your permission. Some of these people are little tin gods and need to be kept in line.

Original poster
MumshoutsaLOT · 09/12/2025 13:28

No permission no, it was the same inspector as always with a new guy that was introduced at the door.

I'm not really wanting to complain as technically I'm the one that broke the contract, I don't want to push my luck with anything more incase they decide to use this hamster against me.

OP posts:
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