Lexi mummy! we are in the same position, we have a dog and most of the landlords dont except pets which i understand but it is frustrating! keep looking, i have found some that take pets but the houses have been taken already good luck

also have you tryied asking agents when you ring just for LL's who would accept pets?

Currently we are happy here but we will need something bigger so trying to get our LL to buy a bigger house

yeah ive spoken to a few agents and asked about pets they then send through a list of properties that its ok to have pets, but then ask for £1000 deposits and a months rent up front and then their admin fees so we would have find about £1700-£1800 for the first month which we just dont have. where as if you dont have a pet most will charge between £550-650 deposit. i understand them charging a litte more deposit and i can understand why some say no its just frustrating when you know your dog doesnt do things like chew worktops or fixtures of the property. my dogs are really well behaved and once we have a garden they will be so happy as they love being outside. i guess i wil have to keep looking. my dh parents are givng us a little money towards the palce and so is my mum but we are still short if we tell an agent about our dogs. its always a drama lol

fair play to you for trying to get your LL to get a bigger place x

We have a house that we rent out and we said that we don't allow pets.
But recently a girl has moved in with a show dog which we agreed to but we took a lot of photographs of doors etc in case of damage. We didn't take a double deposit as really there would have to be an awful lot of damage to warrent keeping so much money for repairs at the end of a tenancy.

We have had other tenants that obviously have had pets and never said, doors scratched, marks on carpets that seemed to be puppy training accidents etc. We have never known though until after they have moved out.

As a tenant your landlord cannot just appear at your door and request access you have rights. They must give you written notice. So I would image it would be quite difficult to prove you had an animal living there as you could just make sure it wasn't there if your LL asked for access. As for having a dog smell there is nothing to say you can't have a friend call that had their pet with them.

On the other hand depending on your neighbours you could have complaints to your LL for dogs barking which kind of gives the game away. Or if your LL calls to the door and the dogs start barking.

Sorry for the waffle but I guess what I'm saying is it depends on if you think you can take the risk without worrying everytime the door bells goes in case it is your LL. As it would be a breech of contract if pets aren't allowed and you can then be asked to leave with no notice. Or you may be lucky and have a LL who only calls at the house at the end of the tenancy or if there are any repairs needing done. (which is what we do!)

I'm not really much help am I!!

Im renting through an agent and we just kept ringing different agents about who would accept dogs, we couldnt lie and say we didnt have a dog because he barks when anyones knocks on door so if landlord just turns up he would have found out but when we rang the agent and they said landlord doesnt accept dogs but would ring him and ask anyway so they rang him and he asked what dog we have and what he behaves like and they said they would accept him.

Also we didnt have to pay double deposit for the deposit, 1st months rent (395) and our tenants insurance (150 for both of us) the whole thing came to 1139, our deposit was around 500

Good thread. I'm currently debating this myself...

My boyfriend and I have a two bedroom apartment on hold for the end of the month when we move in together. They allow pets. There is a $250-500 pet deposit, I believe. Plus an extra $20 added on the rent each month. Makes me want to pull out my hair.

But to be on the safe side, I'm going to try and talk to them. See if I can pay half the deposit before we move in at least. Pay the other half later. I'm scared about not telling them. Just seems like they would find out somehow. Whether I'm walking her, she barks, or they come in for an inspection.

I think they are more willing to work with you if you are honest and upfront. Otherwise they seem to get annoyed that you didn't bother to give them any courtesy, and that might raise a flag... Like they need to keep an eye on you to see if you are going to "pull" anything else.

Here is an idea that works for me every time. I have never had a problem renting places that don't allow pets. Write your pet a resume. I am not kidding. I take a picture of my pet and put it at the top. Then I put under it what breed it is, age and sex. Then just like a job resume I write it's education. Then it's good points and then a list of references to attest to its behaviour last. Example:

Sheena

(picture)

White German Shepherd
Female (spayed)
6yrs
Up to Date on all Shots

Training
Medical Alert Service Dog trained
Potty Pen trained
Tub trained (this means she is trained to get sick only in a tub or shower)
Leash trained
Crate trained
Flyball trained
Agility trained

General Info
Friendly
Will protect property with a bark or two
Will stop barking on command
Completely House trained
Rarely left alone at home
Never been distructive

References
Previous landlords (can attest to how the property is maintain while living there and when you leave and also if there were ever any complaints about noise)
Neighbours(can attest to your pets behaviour while there)
Friends (attest to how friendly pet is)


THis works for dogs or cats that are just pets as well. Have done it all my adult life with all my pets and have always lived in places that don't allow pets. Hope this idea helps.

Speaking as as a landlord this is a really good idea.

I would also be careful. We got a cat when we rented and even though our LL never came over she found out following a gas check I think and we got served our notice for breach of contract.

If it says specifically NO pets then you shouldn't risk it - its wrong anyway really - that is some ones house and if they don't want pet hair in it then its really wrong to do it!

Also if they did find out you could get thrown out and loose whatever deposit you had put down - and lets face it they only need to come round when you are out and see dog plops outside to know you have dogs - or hear them bark when they tap the windows lol