Thread: Renting and having a pet

Since my dog died a few years ago I have been wanting to get another one, life is just better with a dog. The problem is that I rent, and am not sure where to find a flat that would let me have pets. I know that a few folks manage this, where did you find your landlords? Gumtree?

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Hello darling,
I've cats and found my flat through gumtree though none of the renting agencies allowed me to have pets.
Best thing I guess is to go and talk to a private landlord directly...
Good luck!
xx

Hi Glorian....when I first read the title of your post I thought you were looking to rent a pet!

Generally rental agencies advertise a blanket 'no pets' policy becuase it's just easier to administrate. If you approach smaller companies that often have better relationships and communication with their landlords you may have more luck.

Often if you've been living in your house for six months or so and are a good tenant, you can ask about having a pet and the landlord will be more willing to consider it. I've lived in a four different houses with four different rental companies in the last four years (ugh, don't ask) and every time I moved into a new one I asked about the landlord's policy on pets. Only once was I told it was a definite 'no-pets'. The other three times I was told that I was not allowed pets at first, but if I proved myself to be a good tenant then the landlord was willing to discuss the possibility. Sadly, I never stayed in one house long enough to get a kitty >_<

My house was advertised as 'no pets allowed' through a letting agency. I told them I definitely wanted the property and was willing to move in straight away. At the last minute before signing the contract I asked if it was ok for my dog to live there too. I think they thought that a keen tenant ready to move in with a little chihuahua was better than no tenant. It may be different in areas where tenants are competing for properties though!

At my last property through a letting agency, I asked if it was 'ok to look after my mother's dog every now & then while she was working away from home'. They agreed & I think they knew the truth, but never really minded as he's so cute!

Good luck

Hello-
In my day life I work as an estate agent with a rental dept- it's always worth asking agents if the rentals say no pets because many of our landlords would rather have a great tenant ( with extra deposit mind you x) and a pet than a defaulting terrible one.

When you see a rental property it is as much about you liking the property as it is an 'interview'---if I meet a brilliant propective tenant with a pet and the landlord has a no pet policy there is usually something I can do.

It's a terrible snobby business but if you walk in looking 'less than respectable' and say you have pets we say we have nothing....

You can always offer a propective private landlord that you'll have the carpet cleaning done professionally and produce a reciept- that goes a long way. And may save you extra deposit.

NO is not always no with the independant Agencies cos we like to treat people like individuals ( me nice estate agent honest)

Kitty Purry

You could always do what I do and have a pet and just not tell the landlord... my landlord is in Australia though so I guess it's easy for me! x

Thanks guys! I shall ask, never occurred to me that it would be negotiable!

I rented a 'no pets' flat for quite a long time. In the last year I got a hamster. I didn't tell the landlord or letting agent, which was proably a bit naughty, but I knew that a hamster wouldn't soil the carpets/damage the property so it was a reasonable risk. If you want a pet hamsters are great, they sleep all day so don't mind if you are out all day, they are mischievous and only make the sort of mess that's easy to clean up. If you are kind to them they can be really friendly and actually quite sociable. I've been keeping hamsters for a good 11 years or so now, and although I am mortgage slave now, my work and lifestyle means it would be cruel of me to have a dog (much as I'd love one) so I would still have hamsters. I love 'em )
Just make sure you secure the doors on the cage... ;o)
Lily x

If you are lucky you can get a landlord like mine who is never there and lives nowhere near the house and doesnt renew contracts (or even do paper copies for new tenants anymore) so can pretty much do what you like. Just get someone to walk the dog when he calls.