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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:
AnotherEmma · 09/12/2025 13:31

Just send an email to the lettings agent explaining that you are looking after a relative's hamster temporarily while she is unwell in hospital, as there was no one else who could do it. Apologise for not mentioning it before.

And as PPs have said, the fact that the house was a bit untidy is none of their business. You are not obligated to keep it pristine all the time; it's your home.

Try not to stress about it. And hope you all feel better soon.

BillieWiper · 09/12/2025 13:33

I wouldn't care if my tenant had a hamster. Though I guess if they escape they can chew wires and stuff.

Just tell them it's gone and that they can come back when you're all well. They'll see it normal and no hamster. I can't imagine they could kick you out over this.

Another2356 · 09/12/2025 13:33

I’m a LL, and I would be very surprised if your LL was to evict you. The inspections are to (1) check your still happy and proactively identify any issues (2) check for any repairs/maintenance that have not been reported or missed (3) ensure the property is being looked after…. Unmade beds, laundry, clutter etc is not a worry…. In regards to the hamster just write to the agent, confirm that the pet belongs to someone else who is ill at the moment and the date the pet will be gone, ensure you give a realistic date, not a date you think they want to hear. Finally advise them that the animal is caged and not allowed to run about on the floor, this will proactively address any concerns about chewing damage.

Mudflaps · 09/12/2025 17:38

I'm not a ll but my parents were (only df left now and he sold all but one house which he lets to a relative) and they would never have evicted a tenant for looking after a relatives hamster, a good reliable tenant is an asset and to be minded.

Andromed1 · 09/12/2025 17:43

I think you'll be fine OP. The worst that is likely to happen is you'll be ask to move the hamster elsewhere. I've been a landlord and wouldn't bother at all about dirty dishes or unmade beds or the carpet needing hoovering, so long as the place was basically being looked after properly.

Papricat · 09/12/2025 20:21

The fact that you are paying materially below market rent puts you in a tricky spot, not the hamster.

Run30 · 09/12/2025 20:32

I’m a landlord and I wouldn’t bat an eyelid at unmade beds and a little hamster! I’m so sorry you’re feeling so anxious, OP. Please be kind to yourself x

Joeninety · 09/12/2025 22:05

I have the definite feeling that property is monetised these days.

Anotherdayattheforum · 09/12/2025 22:12

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.

This in spades. I hope the outcome is the common sense outcome pps predict.

gucciandscandal · 09/12/2025 22:15

When I was renting (with a no pets clause) not only did the letting agent not give a crap about the hamster but also didn’t give a crap about the elderly cat I took in for my parents for a while. In his words during the inspection “she’s hardly likely to climb the curtains” and knew I would put right any damage done as a good tenant of several years. When I put in my notice to move out as I bought a house they were so upset as I was such a good tenant. I think you’ll be ok x

Enrichetta · 09/12/2025 22:20

The Renters Rights Act, which is imminent, will prohibit Landlords from unreasonably withholding consent for tenants to keep pets.

I suggest you do some further research on your rights as a tenants. Shelter and .Gov offer useful information and advice.

However, you should really have your landlord’s contact details. I thought it was a legal requirement for this to be included in both the AST Agreement and the Prescribed Information for the deposit.

Redburnett · 09/12/2025 22:29

Sounds like the of an inspector who deducted some of my DC's deposit money at the end of the tenancy because the washing machine drawer had traces of detergent in it.......
Love the idea of MIL having a hamster but even if that isn't just a story to explain it I think it would be hugely unfair to evict you on those grounds..

SJone0101 · 11/12/2025 09:29

Enrichetta · 09/12/2025 22:20

The Renters Rights Act, which is imminent, will prohibit Landlords from unreasonably withholding consent for tenants to keep pets.

I suggest you do some further research on your rights as a tenants. Shelter and .Gov offer useful information and advice.

However, you should really have your landlord’s contact details. I thought it was a legal requirement for this to be included in both the AST Agreement and the Prescribed Information for the deposit.

Except, there will be so few properties to rent that LL will not rent to people with pets, nor those on benefits.

I would never let my property to either, and would rather change less rent to make sure I didn't have to.

Hoppinggreen · 11/12/2025 09:31

Even if the LL did want to evict you due to the hamster and a bit of mess it would be a very lengthy and expensive process for them
Its VERY VERY unlikely to happen

Hoppinggreen · 11/12/2025 09:35

Enrichetta · 09/12/2025 22:20

The Renters Rights Act, which is imminent, will prohibit Landlords from unreasonably withholding consent for tenants to keep pets.

I suggest you do some further research on your rights as a tenants. Shelter and .Gov offer useful information and advice.

However, you should really have your landlord’s contact details. I thought it was a legal requirement for this to be included in both the AST Agreement and the Prescribed Information for the deposit.

The LL's name must be listed but the contact details and address can be C/O an Agent
The Renters Rights Act is coming on May 1st but until that point a no pets policy is allowable, even after that a LL can say no as long as they follow the prescribed procedures but it will make it more likely that existing tenants can have pets
LL will still be able to refuse people with pets, they just have to say why and it has to be "reasonable" (whatever that means) but as LL's and Agents never say WHY an application for a rental has not been successful they will still do it for new Tenants

Billybean1 · 11/12/2025 10:25

I'm a LL and this wouldn't bother me in the slightest tbh. Its not like you have secretly got a couple of massive dogs who've crapped all over the carpets and scratched up the walls.

Landlords love a reliable tenant. If the house is otherwise looked after and you let them know promptly when things do need attention, I'd be astonished if they even mention this, especially if you've been there 10 years.

Don't forget some letting agents can be atrocious, are on a power trip and love to put the fear of God up tenants for an absolute non issue.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 11/12/2025 10:33

The real problem is that you are paying below market rate. Landlords are being hit with taxes, therefore they might decide that they really need to rent at a fair market rate. Obviously they can't just put your rent up so their only option is to evict abd get a new tenant(s). It happens all the time, unfortunately.

Oldandgreyer · 11/12/2025 10:50

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 did in my early 20s.
I'd always wanted one as a kid but our dog was an eager creature who got excited at anything small and furry in a cage.
We bought the school guinea pigs home one weekend and he was just too over excited about them.

user1471538283 · 11/12/2025 10:57

In my limited experience I paid pet rent for my two cats but they were with us full time but the landlord didn't care about anything as long as the rent being paid. Hence why he didn't care we had a drug dealer above us

I would email the agency to say you were all very unwell, the hamster is only there whilst your MIL is sick in hospital and it will go on whatever the date is.

I doubt you will be evicted.

PashaMinaMio · 11/12/2025 11:03

Papricat · 09/12/2025 20:21

The fact that you are paying materially below market rent puts you in a tricky spot, not the hamster.

This!
I was a LL until recently. It took 12 months for my below market rent tenants to find a new place. It was stressful to all concerned and I hadn’t done them any favours not raising the rent every year.

Try to build up a rent slush fund so that if your rent goes up you have a bit extra in hand to service it.

housethatbuiltme · 11/12/2025 11:09

A landlord has to prove 'good reason' for an eviction, when it comes to pets this is for things like causing a nuisance or damaging property. Eviction laws just tightened too.

A landlord cannot deny a request for a pet without 'good reasons' as it can be seen as discriminatory and given this isn't even your pet but just a temporary thing I guarantee they will not spend the money evicting you.

It cost about £3k in fees to evict a tenant IF the court even sides with the landlord. Most landlords only do it for ongoing unpaid rent arrears, terrible damage to the property, squatters or because they need the property back to live in themselves. A paying tenant otherwise causing no issues is not worth £3k loss to evict.

InMyOodie · 11/12/2025 11:19

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 11/12/2025 10:33

The real problem is that you are paying below market rate. Landlords are being hit with taxes, therefore they might decide that they really need to rent at a fair market rate. Obviously they can't just put your rent up so their only option is to evict abd get a new tenant(s). It happens all the time, unfortunately.

That was my thought too. You're paying half the market rent and have now had an inpection showing a pet there and a house that wasn't tidy. If the landlord was looking for justification to evict, you've given it to him. Why wouldn't he want to get twice the rent from someone else?

Setyoufree · 11/12/2025 11:26

I'm a LL and there's no way I'd evict a tenant for this! Or for dirty dishes etc, it's your home. I've only ever used inspections to check for things like damp, broken gutters etc that I need to repair

housethatbuiltme · 11/12/2025 11:41

OP has lived their 10 years and rent can only increase 'within reason inline with market inflation' which is why long term tenants often end up paying less. The agency can only put the rent up usually approx. 5% per year as 'reasonable' and most don't do this annually. That is on the agency not OP though.

If for example OP Started at £450pm 10 years ago and now only pays say £600pm because the landlord has not annually increased the rent every years and next door is now on the market for £900pm the landlord can NOT just insist OP must now pays £900pm because thats 'the market rate'. So £550pm x 5% increase per year over 10 years might have been £895pm but they cannot lump sum that and dump it on a tenant because they never increased it over the years thats their failing.

They would struggle to get a court order to increase it to even £650pm in one go never mind much more, they just could not enforce a 50% increase in rent.

Eviction rules have also tightened and as of April next year 'no fault evictions' will cease closing the last loophole for landlord to evict to charge more. 'Not being able to increase the rent massively' due to laws on fairness will not be a good reason to evict a tenant who is otherwise doing nothing wrong. Tenants have rights which is why the laws on the rent increase exist in the first place.

Doris86 · 11/12/2025 12:16

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!

They will get a much larger fee for finding a new tenant. They will also advise increasing the rent for the new tenant to the market rate, which means their monthly management fee will increase as it’s a percentage of the rent.

Not saying the OP has anything to worry about in this case as the LL sounds quite reasonable. However it would be very much in the agents interest to evict and find a new tenant.