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.

Smaller breed?

It's not the breed, rather the fact that it's a dog!

To be honest all the disadvantages of a lab apply to smaller breeds too.
I have two small breed dogs which need lots of stimulation, excercise and poop for britain they would be an absolute nuisance in flat with communal areas.
I am semi detached and my dogs and the labs next door make their presence felt.

Give me something here people!

there must be some conceivable way of having a dog in a flat...

Why did you come on and ask if you are clearly just going to say yes? The answers are pretty clear from everyone. I love dogs. Not in a third floor flat, not when the lease specifically says no and when other people are going to have to deal with the consequences.

And there is no way they wont be taking the dog down to the "communal garden" to do its business. Maybe the owners will clean up - maybe they wont. Either way not something the other flats signed up for - what about their quiet enjoyment?

I'm a dog-lover, but realistically if you allow one, then everyone must be allowed the same right so this must be a collective decision. Suggest holding a residents meeting in the garden or organising a Zoom discussion.

Is this a reverse?!

My lifelong opinion of dogs is marred by the black lab that lived next door to us for 15 years. Bad ownership I'm sure but the poor thing would bark non-stop from dawn to dusk and beyond, at anything and everything, no matter if the dog was inside or out. Coupled with being cooped up in a 3rd floor flat which will mean they will be tramping muddy/wet paws through the entire building, never mind using the communal garden. I would not want to even consider how resentful you will feel if you were to tread in a solitary dog poo (despite what assurances the owners make) or see your lawn/garden ruined.

They don't currently have the dog do they? Are they wanting to sneak ddog in and using this as a way to force your hand during the completion of the sale?

Seriously what is the upside for you here? There is a reason for the lease and you will devalue your own property if you relax this clause. Don’t do it.

I spy a reverse...

I'm guessing by the latest op post, you're actually the one who wants the dog?

Send them a link to a ddoggy statue for the garden instead...

Why are you son concerned about someone else??? being allowed to have a dog?

Is there a lift in the flat? Labs can be prone to hip problems and one thing that can make problems worse is going up and down stairs. I have a lab and she isn’t allowed upstairs purely because of this, they need a smaller breed that doesn’t have congenital problems with this or can be carried up and down stairs.

I have a Labrador. No way would I choose to bring him up in a flat.

He goes out to the garden for a wee / poo regularly. I would be traipsing him up and down the stairs all the time, wet, hairy and muddy in the winter.

If you allow 'a dog', you are allowing 'any dog'. Do you want a barkie dog? A howler? An anxious dog? A scratcher? A dog walker with the key code?

If you are freeholders of a block of flats, the no dogs, no washing, no BBQs on balconies, no bikes in hallways etc rules are there for a reason.

The only exception I may make is it if were a ground floor flat with own garden. But then there is still the noise considerations

Whatever happens, make it time limited. For the period 2020-21 and pending review on the volume and sanitation issues.

The lease says no for a reason. If you say yes then anyone living there now or in the future can get a dog of any size or breed. They bark, they ruin the grass, they need company and exercise. Its not fair on residents who dont want to live with a dog on the premises. Tell them to get an indoor rescue cat or a budgie instead.

Should I send this thread to the prospective buyer?

@CooperLooper - i LOVE Labrador zoomies - they're so bonkers!

You’d be mad to allow a dog at all! I pity the other people, living in a pet-free environment and forced to deal with a puppy parking and pissing all over the shared outdoor space.

Just say no.
Fish are nice.

Don't allow this person to have a dog. Why would you? The lease excludes dogs and other residents may have bought specifically because of the no dog policy. Not everyone likes dogs. Also, keeping a dog in a 3rd floor flat, particularly a big dog like a lab, IMO is cruel, and if it barks you will have a lot of angry residents quite rightly on your case.

Say yes, then come back in 6 months to tell us about the dog that barks/whines all day and has destroyed your communal garden.

No, OP - you should NOT send this thread to the buyer.

Just act like the freeholder - the lease does not permit dogs.

Is it a Victorian house conversion so the top flat is just really the top of the house. Why cant you just say no sorry the Lease forbids dogs and list anything else like bbq, hanging out washing, lettings.

My mum's lab barked a lot.