I've been asked to agree to new neighbours having a dog

[whatcolourisyourthursday]

Hi dog experts,
We're the freeholders of a block of flats (converted Victorian) and the about-to-buy purchaser of one of the flats has asked if they can have a dog (the lease forbids it but we can consent).
They are suggesting a labrador which from my point of view seems a good choice as they seem like neighbour-friendly dogs. But I don't know much about dogs. Does a labrador seem like a good neighbour-friendly breed? There's a communal garden but the flat is on the 3rd floor and there's a carpet so there are some practical issues.

Are they planning on having a puppy? Toilet training a puppy when you don't have direct access to the garden will mean running up and down those stairs in the early hours of the morning carrying said puppy (as they can't do stairs much in their early years as it risks damaging their joints).

Do they both work from home, shifts or will they be out? Do you know if they have dog walkers/doggy daycare - a dog alone in a flat for more than a few hours, especially a youngster, is more likely to be noisy.

I'm all for flat-owners having dogs, but only if they're willing to put in that bit of extra effort when they don't have direct access to the garden. Especially when you have neighbours very close by.

Any dog is only as community friendly as it's owners train / keep it to be. So picking up dog-do; being left for hours and barking out of boredom / distress; jumping up with dirty feet on visitors frail on their feet or otherwise; not being cleaned down after a wet and muddy walk etc etc are all in the hands of the owner and would be true of any breed.
I don't think it is the breed that you need to be sizing up here but the possible impact on the occupants of a doggy inhabitant if the owners turn out not to take their responsibilities as seriously as you would wish.
If you 'give permission' will that reduce your ability to expect them to raise their game if they have bitten off more than they think they can chew?

I don't think keeping a labrador in a third-floor flat is a good idea, whether you agree to it or not. It's not fair on the dog.

Also, I'd ask them about their working arrangements, if possible. Is there going ti be somebOdy home all day with it, or are they going to leave the dog locked up for hours on it own, probably barking and whining?

Would you be happy sharing your communal garden with a bouncy labrador?

I'd want to set some ground rules/expectations re: soiling in communal areas.

You might also want to consider the effect on your quality of life if they leave it at home all day and it barks.

Yup, completely about the owners, nothing to do with the dog.

That's nuts though, they are buying and that can be a condition? Wow. So does that set a precedent? Or do you become sort of dog judge over future requests? I have a sort of image of dog tests and classes before permission granted.

Really interesting.

What about if they sell it, does the right to own expire? Or is it attached to that one specific dog?

Labradors are absolutely the best breed of dog in the world, but the question is what are the owners like? If you put in the effort, a well trained labrador is a complete joy to have around. If you don't, it could be a nightmare. Labradors and stairs don't mix well so I would suspect the owners are not all that responsible.

Ask them to play YouTube labrador barking on loud so you can assess the noise level you will be agreeing to.
And practice stamping in dog shit in the Street so you can make a better case against..
Can't imagine toilet training 3 floors up.
.

Also, I'd ask them about their working arrangements, if possible. Is there going ti be somebOdy home all day with it, or are they going to leave the dog locked up for hours on it own, probably barking and whining?

Yes, that's the key thing. If they are both out working, they need to arrange day boarding (best) or at the very least a dogwalker for an hour or so middle of the day. I can't see why there would be a problem with a labrador in a 3rd floor flat any more than in a ground floor flat (except for toilet training if it is a puppy). Unless it is old and arthritic and can't manage the stairs.

For eg if you have grass in your communal garden the dog using it to pee may well kill it (in patches at least).

I love dogs, I have a large dog but I wouldn’t have one in a 3rd floor flat with a communal garden
It might be fine but if you are given a choice I would say no

Probably simpler to just say no!

Why do they think that they are exceptions to the rule? I’d keep it very simple and say no. The restriction on animals is there for good reason. It’s inflicting the dog on everyone living in that building to allow this.

Labradors are big, bouncy, friendly dogs generally. Toilet training a puppy from a third floor flat would be a nightmare. Waggy tail knocking everything over and banging off walls etc. Will need a few decent length walks per day, especially since no garden. I can't see how keeping one in a flat is a good idea. A lot depends on the owners though, and there can be a difference in temperament between well-bred labradors and backyard breedings. I wouldn't agree, it could end up being a nightmare. Even if this dog works out would they then want another? A different breed? Would there be a precedent for everyone to own one? The garden could quickly become destroyed and unpleasant if they don't clean up well, even just urine burns the grass and causes it to die, as well as smelling strongly if it's a male marking 'his' walls/fences/plants/benches etc

I think you risk the serious wrath of the other owners if you allow this

How do other flat owners feel? Or have I misinterpreted the set up here?
I'd be pretty pissed off if I'd signed up for pet free living.

I live in a town house 4 floors.
Toilet training a puppy was a f***g nightmare.
Not impossible but you have to be dedicated!

I would say no.

If the dog isn't trained properly, barks a lot and disturbs the other residents I'm not sure your will have any legal recourse to sort that out unless it meets thresholds for environmental health.

A flat is not ideal accommodation for a dog anyway, especially not a larger breed. A chihuahua maybe or a toy breed of some sort but not anything approaching Labrador size. No way!

Ask the neighbours if they would object to a dog on the premises. As people have said, then it sets a precedent for the other neighbours, please consider this. IMO, they are being cheeky as it says no pets. I don't think that it is fair to ask you.

Why are you considering consenting to any dog at all?

I wouldn't. Once you change the rules for one person you're opening up all sorts of other requests from their neighbours. Plus complaints about the dog.

If they are both out working, they need to arrange day boarding (best) or at the very least a dogwalker for an hour or so middle of the day.

^ This

No please don’t consent to this - not fair on the communal garden ( you can’t be sure they will pick up after it )
Not fair on the other tenants and finally Not Fair on the dog , they need constant access to garden it rarely works and I speak as a dog lover and member of a dog rescue and rehome charity .

Dont do it OP, there are just too many issues here, for the dog and the other residents.

A labrador is a big dog (big smelly poos, be warned) which - contrary to a lot of people's lack of knowledge about labs, actually needs a lot of exercise - a lab is a working dog. They should be running and lean.

I'd not want one n a 3rd floor flat and a shared (I'm assuming) small-ish communal garden.

Even if they pick up its poo, the smell of urine will be strong, and likely damage lawn & flowers etc.

Also, the prospective owners are bordering on cruelty having such a big dog in a 3rd floor flat ie fairly contained space.