Nobody wants to rent to us :(

[GoblinKeeper]

Mostly looking for head pats and commiseration, although advice works too.

I'm just flabbergasted by how tremendously difficult it is to find a rental property that accepts dogs and children, and is commutable to London. We've been living with my in-laws whilst funding IVF privately - thank goodness for family! - but whilst they would love for us to live there forever, I don't think that I can stand to raise our twins (I'm twenty weeks pregnant now) under their roof. And it is so stressful to try to find a new place.

I have no idea how to convince a potential landlord that my charming, well-behaved and middle-aged darling won't be a danger to the property - offering references from my vet and training club is even less helpful than offering to pay an additional deposit, it would seem. And we can't afford to rent a house so it's going to be a one or two-bedroom flat, as I'd be worried to go over about £900/month once we're down to just one salary. We're willing to move anywhere so long as there is less of an hour's commute in to Charing Cross (it would be nice to see the twins occasionally!) and we'd like to be south of the Thames because my family are all there and dying to be helpful with the babies.

Success stories, virtual hugs and advice all welcome! I'm sure this wouldn't be upsetting me so much if not for the hormones - I'm dying to nest and set up home before they arrive.

I'll add a picture of the special girl herself, so that you can see how incredibly lovely she is.

Have you tried here? www.letswithpets.org.uk/

www.petfriendlyrentals.co.uk/

Well I do hope that you find somewhere, but your op comes across badly.

Ils good enough to stay with whilst it suited but not now!

"my charming, well-behaved and middle-aged darling won't be a danger to the property"

Actually, I thought that I was being suitably discreet in not mentioning on a public forum why raising our children in a dysfunctional household wouldn't be the best of ideas. It's been a mutually beneficial relationship in many ways and I've been grateful for the opportunity but it wouldn't be a safe environment for children. I won't be remarking more on this as it's rather a private matter and this is rather a public forum - I hope you'll understand. And we have to fly the nest some time! :)

Why the confused face re. danger to the property? Surely that's what landlords are worried about - dogs chewing, little accidents, smelly ungroomed animals leaving a lingering odour.

I think you're nit-picking.

Lilcamper, thank you for the suggestions! I'll have a good browse. :)

If I was a landlord I wouldn't rent to anybody with pets. I'm not against pets but they do damage. Children I wouldn't be keen either which is probably why I wouldn't really want to be a landlord. Saying all that I hope you find somewhere suitable. Good luck.

Twins and you want another or more and a dog? I wouldn't rent to you, either.

I only rent to animal free child less people! Too much hassle otherwise! Amd I have 2 dogs, 1 cat and horses and chickens!

Wow, she has a mature dog who is unlikely to cause damage and she wants to find a place of her own to raise her children. Some people are just nasty

I have no interest in you remarking further.

In fact all you needed to put was that you need/want to move!

As for the dog, well you know, it's the same as with kids-no one loves them as much as you do!!

Lots of LLs don't take dogs-you're unlikely to convince them to make an exception-hence the

Have any of the landlords here had a bad experience with renting to people with pets?

I've never had a problem and in any case that's what deposit and cleaning in the contract covers.

Mature dog to me means pees and craps all over the place.

We don't rent to anybody with pets, it's not worth the hassle.

What I have found is most houses with dogs smell of dogs. It's not unreasonable not to want your rental property to smell of dogs.

It is hard to find pet friendly landlords in the private rental sector which is a real problem. housing in the uk is a nightmare at the moment and I feel for you OP.

Slightly different scenario, I once went to view a house which was absolutely beautiful, but it stank of dog and completely put me off buying it.

We let a property to a lady with two dogs, a cat and umpteen rabbits. We bought the place to let and the kitchen was 'tired' and had been chewed in one place by the previous owners dog and the laminate flooring was looking sad too. We deliberately advertised as happy to have pets and when people rang up, we explained that we would renew all but no pets or they could have it as it was with. We were overwhelmed by the response. Tenant is happy with it as it is and has covered the floor with a rug as laminate can be slippy for pooches anyway. I can't understand why more LLs aren't like this. We have saved loads of money by it not being made pristine and our tenant will be happy with it as it is while she has animals. Win win.
When she wants to move we will spend the money we were going to anyway, or try the same agenda again if it's not looking too manky by then.

I do rent to a couple with a dog. It's a house and the downstairs floors are all tiled, which is a bit unusual I know. They had a good reference from previous landlord re said dog. If I had a flat with no garden though I wouldn't allow pets- sorry.

Would many LLs rent a 1/2 bed flat to a family with a dog though?

I assume that the OP has no children at present but is pregnant with IVF twins , I know someone who has rentals in Kent and allows pets ( in certain houses) ,your issue may be the area you are looking at.

Good luck with your search and congratulations on expecting twins! How fabulous .

Don't really have advice but perhaps you can offer a larger deposit to any landlord, which would cover an extra special "deep clean" and have a letter ready confirming that you would bear costs of any damage done by children or dogs? Don't know if it would help but would perhaps help allay any worries a landlord would have about potentially losing money because of having to "make good" at the end of your tenancy.

Oh, sorry, just re-read your thread and see that you've offered an additional deposit. Serves me right for skim reading

Look further out. Gravesend has a 15 minute train commute to KC st Pancras on the HS1 service.

Good luck with your search. When we sold our last house (home to three large dogs) I made sure it was spotless for viewings. Ocean Fresh kitchen cleaner mainly. We had offers from all 8 people who viewed it. I think it's about attitude to other folks' property. Some people have no pets but leave the place in a right mess. Perhaps you could take your dog into the estate agents with you when you go house hunting so they can see your well behaved dog?

I am a bit gobsmacked at this thread. I had no idea that people who rent have trouble finding somewhere that will accept dogs. I can see their point I suppose, but what a shame. That's very sad.
So is the accepted procedure to pay for any damage done by a dog?

Highams Hill Farm in Biggin Hill/Warlingham sometimes has cottages to rent. Think they take dogs.