Several years ago, renting with pets was a no-go. Landlords saw red immediately and simply didn’t want to risk their property incurring some of the damage that pets can sometimes cause. Fortunately, the situation has changed considerably much for the better over the years and while there are still probably more landlords who will turn away pet owners, more are starting to become a little more relaxed about such situations.
Nevertheless, there are some do’s and don’ts that tenants should keep in mind if they are looking to take out a tenancy along with their pet. Some are obvious, while others just revolve about how the tenant should expect to be treated in these cases. We’ll now take at a few in detail…
Do… be prepared to sign a pet-related clause
More and more landlords are starting to accept pets, but this usually comes at the cost of a clause. The landlord will probably demand that a clause is inserted which will put you responsible for any damage that is incurred by your pet, so don’t be offended if this is proposed.
Do… be prepared to pay slightly more than advertised
In some cases, you’ll be charged the same rate as a tenant who doesn’t bring a pet along. However, some landlords need a gentle push from pet owners, and this tends to be a financial one. You’d be amazed at what an extra 10% feels like to the previously unmoved landlord who had no intention of letting out his property to a pet owner. Unfortunately, this can also stretch to the bond as well, so prepare to have deep pockets.
Do… be prepared to pay a fumigation charge
As well as a potentially higher deposit, some landlords will also charge a non-refundable fee so that the property can be thoroughly fumigated at the end of the tenancy. Alternatively, if you have devised a solution to pet odour, some landlords might be happy to waive this charge as long as you can prove the property is in satisfactory condition.
Don’t… go behind the landlord’s back
In terms of the “don’ts”, the most obvious one is to not go behind your landlord’s back. If you’ve incurred rejection after rejection from landlords, it might be tempting to simply sneak your pet in one night but you will get caught in the end, and you will most probably be evicted. Forget any future references as well – this action really could mess up your future and mean that no other landlord touches you with a bargepole.
Don’t… allow your pet to get out of control
The final issue is a bit of an obvious one, but by no means allow your pets to become out of control. If they prove to be a nuisance to your neighbours, you’re asking for trouble and your landlord is unlikely to be too accommodating. In fact, in some cases it’s been known to go further than this and you may even be met with an abatement notice, which could again hinder your future chances of netting accommodation with your pet.
