Could someone please proofread this letter to my LL requesting permission for a dog

[FizzyMakeFeelNice]

As the title said really, DP and I really want a rescue dog, and we need a letter of permission from our LL. I'm not sure how to word the letter and need some opinions. Thanks

Oops, pressed send too soon, here's the letter:

Dear Mrs xxxx

We are writing to you to request permission to keep a dog at the above property.

While we are aware that our tenancy agreement states no keeping of animals at the property, we really hope you will make an exception for us, especially as we have requested permission and not just got one, as we suspect some of our neighbours have done.

We understand the concerns you may have regarding this, and are willing to sign any updated tenancy agreement re: cleaning the carpets/repairing any possible damage caused by said dog etc. upon vacating the property.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and for considering the matter, and we look forward to receiving your response.

Kind Regards

The letter looks ok to me, but your landlady might be easier to convince if you can offer to increase the deposit she holds, or if you can get the shelter to give a reference for the dog you are hoping to adopt, a sort of 'Fido has been here for 3 months and in that time we have never known him to piss on the floor or chew the walls' kind of thing...

Also might take out the bit about the neighbours, sounds a bit tell - tale.

I'm a landlord and a dog lover (have two) so would be open to a request from tenants but your suggested letter would really put my back up to be honest! The bit about the fact that you are asking permission and didn't just get one is a bit cheeky. You're doing what you're supposed to, that's not a reason for them to agree. It could also read as a threat that you would get one even if they say no.

I would want some more details about the dog, where it will be kept, who will be there to look after it and an offer to discuss in more detail/ask any questions. Definitly more info to demonstrate that you have thought through the implications for the property of an animal living there. I would be asking for an additional deposit payment to cover any damages, e.g. replacing carpets after accidents. HTH.

I'd change the 'make an exception for us'; it inexplicably sounds a bit chummy. Maybe 'we hope that you could give us some leeway/reconsider your stance on this'

Thank you so much for all the suggestions, will change the letter accordingly in a mo and re-post.

On the points raised, I am a SAHM so would be the primary carer.

Peerie thanks for that, I was unsure about that line too.

Beata and Partridge I kind of knew I shouldn't include that bit, but it is annoying when we're doing the right thing, even though we have a feeling they'll say no, but other people have just got one anyway! Beata when you say separate the cleaning form the damage, you mean separate sentences, right?

We aren't sure what sort of dog we would get yet, we wanted permission before we set our hearts on any one dog. Preferably a youngish dog that is housetrained already! But definitely a rescue dog. DP and I have had dogs in the past so are both experienced dog owners.

Dear Mrs xxxx

We are writing to you to request permission to keep a dog at the above property.

While we are aware that our tenancy agreement states no keeping of animals at the property, we really hope you could give us some leeway on this.

We are both experienced dog owners, having had dogs most of our lives, and feel that we could offer a dog a lovely home without impacting on our neighbours or the property itself.

We understand the concerns you may have regarding this, and are willing to sign any updated tenancy agreement re: keeping a dog on the property. We will have the carpets professionally cleaned upon vacating the property. In the unlikely event of any damage caused by the dog, we would pay for any repairs/replacements needed.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and for considering the matter, and we look forward to receiving your response.

Please feel free to contact us with any further concerns you may have.

Kind Regards

I am also a landlord, and a tenant, with 2 dogs. It was incredibly disheartening trying to find a house to rent that would accept dogs, less than half the available houses. As a landlord, I would def expect a larger deposit from a dog owner, and a full professional clean on vacating.

Might also be worth adding that the dog would be crate trained so that it would not be left to roam unattended when you are out.

Good luck!

Dear Mrs xxxx,

We are writing to you to request permission to keep a dog at the above property.

While we are aware that our tenancy agreement states no keeping of animals at the property, we really hope you could give us some leeway on this.

We are both experienced dog owners, having had dogs most of our lives, and feel that we could offer a dog a lovely home without impacting on our neighbours or the property itself.

As I (name) am a stay at home parent, you can be assured the dog would not be left in the property unattended for large periods of time, and we would crate train the dog so on those occasions when we would have to leave the dog home alone, it would not be roaming the property.

We understand the concerns you may have regarding this, and are willing to sign any updated tenancy agreement re: keeping a dog on the property. We will have the property professionally cleaned upon vacating. In the unlikely event of any damage caused by the dog, we would pay for any repairs/replacements needed, and this would be done before vacating to lessen any impact on you as landlord.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and for considering the matter, and we look forward to receiving your response.

Please feel free to contact us with any further concerns you may have.

Kind Regards

You could add a paragraph stating that you will get pet insurance specifically for tenant pet owners and include details on what this covers e.g damage to the property caused by the pet.

I wouldn't write "rescue" dog, some people still have very bad connotations with the word "rescue". I would phrase it as "proven, house trained, older dog"

Good idea D0oin will look into that.

Beata didn't realise I'd missed that, thanks! Already got a dyson animal

Thank you to everyone for all of your help, the letter is starting to look much better now, and I'm feeling more confident about the whole thing

I will update the thread when I get a response.

final draft, opinions?

Dear Mrs xxxx,

We are writing to you to request permission to keep a dog at the above property.

While we are aware that our tenancy agreement states no keeping of animals at the property, we really hope you could give us some leeway on this.

We are both experienced dog owners, having had dogs most of our lives, and feel that we could offer a dog a lovely home without impacting on our neighbours or the property itself.

We hope to get a rescue dog from Battersea Dogs Home, and it would not be a puppy. We are hoping for a young, small-medium dog that is already house-trained.

As I (name) am a stay at home parent, you can be assured the dog would not be left in the property unattended for large periods of time, and we would crate train the dog so on those occasions when we would have to leave the dog home alone, it would not be roaming the property.

We understand the concerns you may have regarding this, and are willing to sign any updated tenancy agreement re: keeping a dog on the property. We will have the property professionally cleaned upon vacating. In the unlikely event of any damage caused by the dog, we would pay for any repairs/replacements needed, and this would be done before vacating to lessen any impact on you as landlord.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and for considering the matter, we look forward to receiving your response.

Please feel free to contact us with any further concerns you may have.

Kind Regards

okay, so take out the rescue bit, and put in what D0oing said. Got it.

I meet lots of people who sadly think that rescue dogs must have something wrong with them. Every time I tell my mum we have a new foster the first thing she asks is "What's wrong with it?" They have 5 rescue dogs of their own

I just love when people I talk with in the park tell me "Oh we thought about a rescue dog but I really wanted a puppy so I could train and socialise it properly. I wouldn't like to have a bad dog" I often just look pointedly at my dog sitting by my side and at their's who is often straining to reach mine or bouncing wildly and then pull my best face

Offer a large increased deposit to cover the cleaning/possible repairs or they won't take you seriously.

Dear Mrs xxxx,

We are writing to you to request permission to keep a dog at the above property.

While we are aware that our tenancy agreement states no keeping of animals at the property, we really hope you could give us some leeway on this.

We are both experienced dog owners, having had dogs most of our lives, and feel that we could offer a proven, house trained, older dog a lovely home without impacting on our neighbours or the property itself.

As I (name) am a stay at home parent, you can be assured the dog would not be left in the property unattended for large periods of time, and we would crate train the dog so on those occasions when we would have to leave the dog home alone, it would not be roaming the property.

We understand the concerns you may have regarding this, and are willing to sign any updated tenancy agreement re: keeping a dog on the property, and are willing to pay a reasonable amount extra towards our security deposit if you feel this is necessary.

We will have the property professionally cleaned upon vacating. In the unlikely event of any damage caused by the dog, we would pay for any repairs/replacements needed, and this would be done before vacating to lessen any impact on you as landlord.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and for considering the matter, we look forward to receiving your response.

Please feel free to contact us with any further concerns you may have.

Kind Regards

I think that, with D0oin's wording, would be a great letter and I think that is much more likely to get her to at least consider. Of course unfortunately some people really don't like dogs or just won't have them in their property for all sorts of reasons, but this will give you a better shot of convincing her if she is convincable!

Well I got my answer. A big fat no

The reply says:

Thank you for your letter dated 12/12/12.

As you quite rightly pointed out that the Tenancy Agreement prohibits animals to be kept at the property and therefore we cannot give consent for you to keep a dog at the property.

Although we appreciate the assurances you have given, by allowing you to keep a dog it will not only constitute a breach of your tenancy agreement but other tenants may follow suit and keep dogs, cats etc.

your faithfully,
xxxx

Perhaps if they bothered actually coming out to see their properties once in a while they would know that there are at least 15 cats and 2 dogs on this road alone. Not happy

Oh that's disappointing. Is it a housing association that owns all the properties in the street? Might explain why they are not showing any flexibility. It's a bit lame to just say that it's because it's a breach of the tenancy agreement as they could agree to vary the agreement!