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To dog or not to dog?

Started by kesm, August 13, 2020, 05:03:02 PM

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kesm

Tenant asked me if they can have a small dog for their son. 
I had a dog before and I know that the house does smell. 
Reservation I have is what happens if they leave in a year when their contract ends cause their kid will change schools, and how easy it would be for me to clean it after they go. Also the dog may chew on carpets etc and it may be considered wear and tear cause they would have been in my house for 5 years.

Advise please?

Hippogriff


Hippogriff

"dog" as a verb is not [supposed to be] for this forum.

heavykarma

Blimey,this was an eye-catching title! As regards allowing a small dog,if the tenants have been responsible people for several years,and they have had the manners to ask you before going ahead,I would agree.Doggie smell is from carpets,and maybe sofas (in my house my own bedding too) so you can make it plain that the costs of having the place shampooed will be deducted from the deposit if necessary.Small dogs don't usually pong too much.Worrying about what they might do in a year is pointless,live for today.I have a small psychopathic non-smelly Jack Russell that might suit them.
I'm off to get my wellies on to go dogging before the storm arrives.

Simon Pambin

Quote from: kesm on August 13, 2020, 05:03:02 PM
Reservation I have is what happens if they leave in a year when their contract ends cause their kid will change schools,

If you let them have a dog, they may be less likely to move, because there are fewer landlords who allow dogs, especially with new tenants. If they do move, what's the cost of a carpet clean at the end of six years' regular rent? Chances are you'll be redecorating anyway, at least to some extent, so your property will mostly smell of fresh paint.

Revo

Don't you have a pet clause, no pets is no pets, maybe a goldfish.

Catherine Moore

I allowed my tenant to have a dog.  Letting a house out a leap of faith. I've not had a problem with the tenant or their dog.

EutopianLettings

Here are some statistics : 44% of UK households currently owning a pet* and the private rental market increasing year on year. Which means that if you do not allow your tenants to have a dog you will be missing out on a lot of tenants. Just make sure that you have in your agreement a sectiuon where it sais that the tenant is happy to pay for any damages caused by pets.

louise

Hello

I originally said I would not accept any pets- for similar reasons as you, with concerns about damage more than anything. Stating the blinding obvious - It is a decision you have to make for yourself.. However, I have had tenants who have stayed purely because I (eventually) came round to accepting their pet.

In past years I was a tenant myself with a pet and finding somewhere to live was determined by finding a landlord who would accept the cat- I remember it was extremely difficult.

I hope that helps in some way. 

Revo

Small dog Big dog, it's still a dog, work out a pet (claws) 😎 with associated cleaning costs, with a pet deposit to cover potential damage.


Simon Pambin

Quote from: Revo on October 31, 2020, 06:20:21 AM
with a pet deposit to cover potential damage.

Pet deposits are a bit trickier these days, as there's a cap on the total deposit you can hold, regardless of what you call it.

Revo

Quote from: Simon Pambin on October 31, 2020, 04:42:31 PM
Quote from: Revo on October 31, 2020, 06:20:21 AM
with a pet deposit to cover potential damage.

Pet deposits are a bit trickier these days, as there's a cap on the total deposit you can hold, regardless of what you call it.

The idea is to financially put them off. Not actually let them have a dog.