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Can I ask the tenant to sign an agreement to pay for damage caused by a pet?

Started by Mac, November 06, 2021, 02:34:14 AM

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Mac

This would be a separate document, not included in the tenancy agreement.

Thank you all for your answers so far.  I prefer to keep the deposit minimal in view of the current situation, especially since my tenants are required to supply their own furniture.  It would thus suit me better to ask for reimbursement only if actual damage occurs, as long as this would not be considered to be an illegal fee.


Hippogriff

That's why you take a security Deposit isn't it?

Maybe you overthink this. Consider that the chances of a pet causing damage are something less than 100% - nothing may happen. Consider that Tenant with pets are known to stay longer - due to the fact that they know it is often more difficult to find Landlords willing to accept them. Consider that you can ask anything... but you need to be very careful to not find yourself either a) discriminating or b) trying to circumvent legislation that says things like additional Deposits for pets are now not the done thing.

Everyone has worries, but I think Landlords over-worry about pets. There will be horror stories, of there will... but the PRS is changing. Many people have pets, many people need to rent homes. Landlords shouldn't get in the way. Maybe you could agree something verbal with the prospective Tenant and just hope they're honourable and they will see things put right if the worse case happens? Generally, people are not bad people... they're just people. I've said it before and I've said it again - the Tenant / Landlord business relationship takes such an easy path to becoming adversarial, and for no need.

heavykarma

I think damage caused by pets would come under the same heading as any damage caused by the tenants. Some people happily let their human little darlings trash the place,but no one puts an extra clause in for tenants with kids.The trend now seems to be that people are looking to settle in a rented home.like they did years ago.Pets are family (only much nicer) so to me having someone happy to call the place home is like money in the bank.