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.

Very odd. Sure this isn’t a reverse?

Have to agree If I was one of the other leaseholders I’d try and sue the arse off you if you agreed to a dog.

How about one of these?

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-wooden-dog-walker/p4823774?sku=238119787&s_ppc=2dx92700051982416451&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0Mb3BRCaARIsAPSNGpVZVaqHt83YYcd_rXYUbklK-FMV3-A5jC736Rno5f4BbjEewXjkIp8aAtSNEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

MMMMMmmnnn.

If true, the situation is unusual. Regardless, it’s unfair on the dog to be kept in a small flat on the third floor. Labs are big dogs that need plenty of time outside. They are the ultimate country/gun dogs.
Sounds like they think it’s a cute puppy off a roll of lavatory paper and not considered it becoming a 40kg big animal.

Our poor dog started out in a flat with children. They thought he was a Disney puppy but he grew and grew. We’re still unpicking the damage.

Thinking it over, I also wonder if your friend is taking advantage of your friendship. If this was a standard leaseholder/tenant relationship, they would ask the question, you would say no and everyone would move on. If you're feeling undue pressure from her (not that you've said, just me pondering) then that's not fair of her.

WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat - thanks for the much needed laugh :)

My friend (the seller) and I were trapped in this place for years by a corrupt aggressive freeholder who spent most of the money on himself. We enfranchised - something that took enormous mental and physical courage (he has anger issues - we've had seven court hearings and each time he tries to get the judge sacked and us silenced). So she's more like family to me. We have had a fine decade-long record as good managers having brought the place back from being a hovel that was the town joke to being somewhere people will pay market price to move to.

You're going to say "don't throw that away" aren't you? Hmm, ok, I'm going to write to their solicitor now.

thank you.

We have had a fine decade-long record as good managers having brought the place back from being a hovel that was the town joke to being somewhere people will pay market price to move to.

Even more reason not to turn into a shit freeholder.

Phew. I'm glad you've seen sense.

thanks everyone.

I've written directly to the buyer's solicitors to say that their clients need to understand that we can't consent, very likely won't be able to consent in future and that if this is a dealbreaker for them it's only fair they should know it now so they can make an informed decision.

Thank goodness they have been responsible enough to bring up this matter before exchanging contracts - I am grateful to them for this
To give them credit, they have tried very hard to "flush out" possible dealbreakers as they have gone through the sales process but before exchanging contracts - you can't ask more than that.

Well done. You will find another buyer if they pull out over this. And think of the favour you've done to a Labrador somewhere out there, who now won't have to live in a 3rd floor flat!

If they do pull out over this then it kind of proves you guys are right I guess.

I am anxious though for the sake of my friend the seller. I would do a lot for her. It's just that you lot have shown that it's a tangled web.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.....

That's a wise decision. As a former lab owner, I could add all kinds of things to the lengthy list of reasons why it's a bad idea. And in truth other breeds would have their own issues.

I had a dog in a flat with NO garden whatsoever. She was toilet trained and quiet, had plenty of care, everyone loved her. No issues.

We moved to a house with a garden though for obvious reasons.

Well done OP!

You’ve done the right thing.

If it helps, people won’t pay market rates for somewhere that isn’t perfect because a dog has damaged the carpets, poos in the garden and barks. And your current tenants will resent doing so if you do allow the property to deteriorate due to this.

i'm feeling slightly crap but I know I will feel better tomorrow iyswim.

What made me start the thread was that the buyers had sent me a sort of thank you note thanking me for being so nice about the dog request. I could just feel the emotional load coming down on me....

Maybe we just have to resign ourselves to the incompatibility of being the freeholder and being mates with our nearest neighbours?

ah well, there's always friends up the road....

Are they home in the day OP?

the buyers had sent me a sort of thank you note thanking me for being so nice about the dog request

Are you sure they don't already have the dog? I would be so suspicious of this...

I don't know - they haven't purchased yet. It's not really my place to ask....

Not RTFT but one person getting a dog is setting a precedent so you may find that others follow.
Personally I'd say no, too much to lose if they are noisy dogs or poop and owners don't clear up after them- for first people who get a dog may be fine but others may not be - it would be a no from
Me

@whatcolourisyourthursday

Yes being a freeholder and living on site can be hell. People expect you to be at there back and call and they also then blame you when the service charge goes up for work doing. So much so here we are selling the flat and moving on but will keep the freehold for now.

Another who thinks ddog already exists...

Well done OP, not an easy situation.

@Jumblebumblemess - you're the first person I've ever connected with in a similar situation! thank you.

has it really been a major factor in selling up? that's shocking.

my next decision will be whether to invite them to become directors of the RTM co. I would love to have someone who partners with me and helps me be objective. But it's completely dependent on what they are like.....