Tenant wants dog. Works full time...
Discussion
As title. Tenants from Hungary moved in in Feb. They both work full time as dentists some distance from the flat. They have inquired about the possibility of a dog, something that the leasehold allows, but wasn't in the rental agreement drawn up between us, as the flats don't lend themselves naturally to the occupation of pets.
We are very much pro animal. We have both worked abroad for animal sanctuaries and charities. However, there are concerns obviously. They have suggested a Dachsund, a breed I know to be clingy and barky if left alone. There are elderly neighbours to consider, and we have responsibilities as owners for the welfare of others. The welfare of the dog is our primary concern. It stands to be left for up to 10 hours a day, perhaps with a dog walker employed for possibly 2 visits a day. The tenants don't have anyone to rely on otherwise.
The flat took a year of my time to refurb after purchase, it was bought with the expectation that a relative will live in it at some time in the future, so was done to a significantly higher standard than might otherwise be expected. So obviously, a secondary concern is damage, not an especially big deal given that I will ensure costs for this are met, and that alone would not stop this going ahead.
I intend to point out the concerns I have, and should they not be met in a manner that acknowledges and addresses them, will offer them early release from the contract rather than be complicit in what I met up regarding the mistreatment of an animal.
Interested in the thoughts of others.
We are very much pro animal. We have both worked abroad for animal sanctuaries and charities. However, there are concerns obviously. They have suggested a Dachsund, a breed I know to be clingy and barky if left alone. There are elderly neighbours to consider, and we have responsibilities as owners for the welfare of others. The welfare of the dog is our primary concern. It stands to be left for up to 10 hours a day, perhaps with a dog walker employed for possibly 2 visits a day. The tenants don't have anyone to rely on otherwise.
The flat took a year of my time to refurb after purchase, it was bought with the expectation that a relative will live in it at some time in the future, so was done to a significantly higher standard than might otherwise be expected. So obviously, a secondary concern is damage, not an especially big deal given that I will ensure costs for this are met, and that alone would not stop this going ahead.
I intend to point out the concerns I have, and should they not be met in a manner that acknowledges and addresses them, will offer them early release from the contract rather than be complicit in what I met up regarding the mistreatment of an animal.
Interested in the thoughts of others.
some legal info here:
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/can-my-landlo...
But I would agree that 10 hours un-aided for the dog would not be my idea of good welfare. However a dog walker twice a day would be OK IMHO.
If you are worried about damage insist they have insurance to cover that.
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/can-my-landlo...
But I would agree that 10 hours un-aided for the dog would not be my idea of good welfare. However a dog walker twice a day would be OK IMHO.
If you are worried about damage insist they have insurance to cover that.
Not fair at all to leave a dog on its own that long at any age. Bored dogs get barky and can get destructive. Did they mention if they were wanting an adult dog or a Pup? They obviously can’t rehome a dog living in a flat.
5 hours with a single visit followed by 5 hours is also too long in my opinion. A dog walker/friend nipping in twice a day would be ok but then how do you guarantee that’s going to happen? Dog walkers aren’t cheap and twice a day, 5 days per week would quickly get very expensive.
Your property, your call.
5 hours with a single visit followed by 5 hours is also too long in my opinion. A dog walker/friend nipping in twice a day would be ok but then how do you guarantee that’s going to happen? Dog walkers aren’t cheap and twice a day, 5 days per week would quickly get very expensive.
Your property, your call.
NDA said:
I would simply say no. Far easier to be honest. It's your property and they are trying to vary the terms of the contract.
Renters Reform Billhttps://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-intr...
Removes the blanket ban on pets...
"Tenants to have the legal right to request a pet in their home – which a landlord must consider and ‘cannot unreasonably refuse’."
You can still of course say no, but you would have to justify it. I doubt that has been tested yet as the Bill was only introduced to parliament 17th of May and as yet has not been enacted.
Edited by FunkyGibbon on Friday 26th May 19:10
This LL has recently had to deal with a tenant's early morning barking dogs, the same that resulted in the tenant coming to blows with his neighbour, with both the management company and the police getting involved.
It is alright for both central and local governments to legislate that tenants have a right to have pets etc., but it is the LL that is left to deal with the issues that pets can create, barking, damage, fouling, fleas, smell etc. etc.
It is alright for both central and local governments to legislate that tenants have a right to have pets etc., but it is the LL that is left to deal with the issues that pets can create, barking, damage, fouling, fleas, smell etc. etc.
Thanks for the replies. I was genuinely concerned that I would be slaughtered for being unreasonable with this, so encouraged by the responses. I have concerns about their reasons for wanting a dog, the Dachshund requirement particularly throwing up a red flag, as they're a very " trendy " breed, and the tenants have the air of people wanting to be seen to to be regarded as such. Them wanting this comes across as a style statement rather than a genuine concern for animal welfare. In my experience a real animal lover would prefer to re-home a stray rather than pay for a breed.
If its a Dachshund it will sit all day, looking out the window barking at anything that moves, especially worse if people are walking past the property often.
Ive 3 at home and they're very loud for their size. However I'm lucky that the 3 of them come to work with me every day, so not left unattended.
I would take the same position as yourself and just respond with your concerns and end the conversation with if you wish to end your lease early to find more suitable accomodation that's fine.
Ive 3 at home and they're very loud for their size. However I'm lucky that the 3 of them come to work with me every day, so not left unattended.
I would take the same position as yourself and just respond with your concerns and end the conversation with if you wish to end your lease early to find more suitable accomodation that's fine.
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