Trying to rent with a dog... <sigh>

[anonymousbird]

Posted this in Property, but also thought might get some constructive advice from dog owners on relevant tips and experience...:

This seems to be unbelievably difficult.

Seeing as we are a "dog loving nation" (supposedly) does this mean that all dog owners are homeowners, and not tenants???

Getting me down, I need somewhere in 6 weeks and first, there is very little to rent around (yes, have extended my search area) and second, NO ONE wants a dog. She is very sweet and very well behaved (so why don't I like her you ask?!?!? That's another story)

Grrr. Any tips/experience you can share please?
Thanks

Where are you looking ?

I would suggest ring private landlord and offering additional dog bond against damage.

We have had this problem too. We were advised not to mention the dog until we had almost signed the contract. We have 3 dogs, 3 chickens and 2 ducks. It wasn't too hard to find somewhere to take our entourage, although at the time we had only 2 dogs.

If there is no mention of dogs on the exclusions bit, don't mentionn it. Are you looking on Rightmove? A lot of the property there seems to say that pets may be negotiable.

Hmmm, your approach could be a useful one.... My search starts in earnest beginning of next week (my builders confirm their start date this Friday) but yes, have looked at Rightmove most days this past week!! Very little on the market where we are (North Essex/South Cambs).

Additional deposit, I am quite happy to offer this if they need some "persuasion".

Why in god's name are we now called Kennel Club by the way? Did I miss something? Jeez.

I rent, have 3 large dogs and a fantastic Landlord. It can be done but bloody hell it's hard, I know. I found my house on Gumtree having advertised that I had dogs and put the offers I've suggested below in the advert. The site has a fair amount of scammers but does have genuine landlords/agents too, just be alert for the dodgy ones.

I'd suggest that rather than offer to pay over the odds in rent or to up the deposit first of all, try offering to take out an insurance policy especially designed for those who rent and own pets such as this

It's cheaper to do this than to add on a non-paltry, therefore pointless sum to the rent. If that isn't enough, THEN offer a little more money or increased deposit.

Also offer to guarantee to have the carpets professionally cleaned and to provide references from animal related professionals who have met your pet in your home. If you are going through an agent tell them that you are happy to invite potential landlords to visit your current home and meet your dog.

It might be worth posting on the Chat part of some of the big dog related forums like DogPages or BigGSD to see if others can offer more advice or even point you in the direction of some more accommodating agents and landlords (forgive the pun!). I'm sure I had another idea too but am beggared if I can recall it atm!

I feel for you, I know how worrying and frustrating it is. Good luck.

When we were renting with (then) two large hounds, we put in an advert in the local press, in the Property Wanted. We were upfront about our dogs, but also pointed out we were a professional non smoking couple with references. We received many, many lovely offers of accommodation, many of which would never have come through an agency. I would also recommend putting cards in local shops/post offices/feed and farm stores. It is dishonest and not worth the hassle to mislead prospective landlords about the presence of animals in your situation, and would never endorse this.

Right move does not accept adverts off private landlords, they only deal with estate agents. There may be many local private landlords in your area with property, not sure how you will find them.

Scuttle babies and Fio - thanks for your words of advice. Once I get this weekend out of the way (DS's birthday and we have a big do to go away for as well) I am going to set my mind to this. Local papers, cards up at school and in shops on noticeboards will be sorted and I like what you said, FIO about the approach with the agents....

Thank you all. I now feel I have some ways of tackling this and therefore am a little less anxious (which will make me more productive and calm in my search hopefully).