Renting to pet owners has developed a bit of a stigma. Battersea Dogs and Cats Home released a piece last year, concerned with the state of pet rentals: more and more pets were being handed over, as they were stopping their owners from renting.
But pet owners can make very good tenants. Not only that, but because of the shortage of rental properties that'll allow pets, tenants with pets will tend to stay longer. However with a few pointers, landlords could become more amenable towards pet renters. Here are a few things that can help:
- Raising the deposit: if you are concerned that a pet may damage your property, cover yourself by raising the deposit amount.
- Determine what type of pet is allowed: small pets like hamsters and gerbils aren't going to be much hassle, but are larger pets like cats and dogs acceptable?
- Put a clause in the tenancy agreement: this makes clear who's responsibility it is if a pet causes damage to the property.
- Ask for a pet reference: ask the previous landlord of the tenant for a pet reference, make sure the pet is well behaved, and isn't likely to destroy your property.
- Check your lease: if you are the leaseholder of a property, check you have permission to let the property out to renters with pets.
- Check the insurance on your property: it may prohibit you from letting to renters with pets.
There is no reason why letting to renters with pets should be anymore hassle than those without. Just know your rights, and what you can do to guard any unnecessary pet-related stress.
Well I have just incurred around a £1000.00 worth of damage from some cat obsessive tenant. Totally against the contract. The cat clawed two new leather sofas to pieces and completely infested the house with fleas resulting in a packet of lost rent and professional flea extermination!! NEVER ALLOW ANY PETS, ANY LANDLORD WIL A BIT OF COMMON SENCE KNOWS THIS!!!
We have had trouble with pets. Apart from damage to carpeting which can be deducted from the deposit when a tenant departs this is a major hassle. Why ? First the tenant will say that the carpet was damaged when they moved in. Next unless the landlord is willing to have different sets of carpet in each room the entire carpet in the property will have to be replaced, which,of course, the tenant will not want to pay for. Cats are a particular problem because of the their urine on the carpeting which creates a smell issue with subsequent tenants requiring carpet which does not appear to be damaged having to be replaced to eliminate the odour. Tenants are always willing to say that, of course their pet is well behaved, very old, likely to pass away shortly, never causes a problem etc,etc and then when they leave seem to be strongly opposed to accepting responsibility for the damage. A deposit is all very well but dishonest tenants will try to avoid payiong the last month's rent and will even walk off with the built-in appliances if they feel that they may have the cost of pet damage deducted from their deposit.We have had all these problems over the years.
I have never had any problem with pets and Infact my best tenants have been pet owners. I completely disagree with the first comment above. Very ignorant and assumptions. My worst tenants were a family that allowed their children to urinate on the floor and draw on the walls.
And as an animal lover I know that every time I say yes to a pet, it's one less that's euthanised that day.
Hi Gillian
I agreed wih you: there s a sort of prejudice about tenants with dogs.. Me and my wife are moving from italy,looking for a house to rent, with our two dogs,they are super educated but still landlords don t trust them...
I ve been looking since two weeks for a house with garden for me, my wife and our wonderful animals,close to Bristol. Do you know where I can find reasonable landlords who allowed pets? Is there some kind of internet site where they post their advertisements?
Best wishes
Valerio