Renting with pets - a problem

DefaultM

We went to view a property at the end of last year, and while meeting the land lady we mentioned that at some point we would like to get a dog, and asked if this would be a problem.
She said that it wouldn't and it would just mean an increased deposit which would be arranged by the property manager. She went on to talk about places close by to walk a dog etc so believed it wouldn't be an issue.

When signing the agreement I noticed it said no pets, however we were in a rush to meet the movers, and as we don't actually have any yet and she had said it wouldn't be a problem I didn't mention it again until she came round for property inspection.
Again she said it would be fine, so we said we would be getting a labrador. She said the last occupants had a labrador and that it was a good area for them, and to just contact the property manager who would arrange it.

We took our 4 year old round to look at puppies, picked one out and pretty much paid for him because we saw no cause for concern.
While waiting to bring him home for our 4 year olds birthday, the property manager got back in touch and said that the land lady had replied with an almost definite no because she has just had work done to the house prior to us moving in and a dog may cause damage.

Am I right in thinking that I'm pretty much fucked here as I didn't get it in writing?

lloyd

I'd just get one anyway mate. No one ever comes and checks your place and if they do they have to give notice. Time to hide the dog!

As long as there's no damage then everyone's happy.

DefaultM

I'm not sure that its worth the worry of if they just decide to come round and have a look through the window? Don't need permission to do that, or to watch to see if we take him out on a walk.

lloyd

Do landlords do that?

iseverynamegone

Legally yes but just get one and be a Responsible Tenant.

We had someone bring a small dog
Into a flat we rent out even though tenancy said no but we didn't do anything. No landlord in their right mind would try to evict an otherwise responsible well paying tenant for having a dog.

If it's a small flat and a Labrador then ymmv

lloyd

Exactly, get it then worry later if they get bitchy, if have not said anything in the first place and played dumb if they found out but they'd probably be ok if you're a good tennant.

Now they might get piased off if you get one (I'd still get one)

DefaultM

It's a large house, and a labrador puppy that I've bought a crate for it to sleep in etc.
I dont really know what a landlord will do, as I didn't expect that they would say yes in person on multiple occasions, then get another person to tell us no.

Emp_Fab

Sounds to me like the property manager has told you what they want rather than the landlord.  

holnrew

The trouble with a dog is that they could have a property manager pop round to drop off a letter giving notice of an inspection and then hear it barking. Ask her round to see the puppy? She won't be able to say no to a cute young lab. Or you might be able to go through some sort of mediation, she's unlikely to want to bother with court costs etc to evict.

I'm in a bit of bother with my destructive rabbits (well, rabbit. It's just the girl, as usual), and my messy habits. But they're being pretty reasonable. I'm going to ask for a little more time before I get inspected again, especially as I haven't been late with rent for three whole months. 

axisus

I rented with a dog once but it didn't work out. He didn't pay half the rent and turned up with a new bitch every couple of nights.

DefaultM

I'm more than annoyed as we were in no rush to move, and this was one of the main reasons we chose to move in rather than going to look at other places and waiting.
If she'd have just said no then I would have said sorry not for us then.
It wasn't just an off hand comment that was misunderstood, as she took the time to tell us about places for dogs in the area and how the previous tenants had the same type of dog.
There are also cat flaps all over the house, so clearly no problems there.

If she continues to say no then I've either to lose a lot of money or do it anyway and risk being thrown out.

PolarityMan

Estate agents are lying scum bags. I would place money on the fact that the agent never even asked the landlord.

iseverynamegone

And this^ we have experience of
Also as a landlord using a letting agency.

DefaultM

He hasn't been amazing so far. Taking weeks to reply to emails, missing things out of our requests etc so it's a possibility.

boogieman

Speak to the landlady again directly and get it in writing that she's ok with it. Then you can tell the property manager to take a hike.

Puppies are very destructive and chew everything in sight (our Labrador puppy ate lumps out of the skirting boards and huge chunks out of the wall plaster), plus there's all the wee and poop that'll inevitably get on the carpets and the stains are really difficult to get out. I don't blame a lot of landlords for saying no to pets.

monofin

Can you write to the landlady directly stating the earlier conversations?

DefaultM

When we moved in there was a fair bit wrong with the house, like the heating wouldn't work and neither would some plugs. He got it all sorted eventually bit it was a real pain and his response on the plugs was that "they've never worked and we can't get them to work". They still haven't been fixed.

spark240

lloyd said:

Do landlords do that?

Well, I rent out a few houses, and yes...Landlords do do that .

But more often the word comes form the Boiler man doing the gas check, odd job man, or similar.

We are not hard and fast with maybe cats, budgies etc but dogs are not preferred, the main issue in our experience is that they get left and then annoy the neighbours by barking.    

DefaultM

She lives about 100 miles away, but there's nothing to stop her asking someone to come have a look. My girlfriend doesn't have a job and has no need to get one, so hopefully if I explain that he would have constant supervision that will help.

spark240

There is an additional insurance you can take out to cover pets and potential damage, you could always offer to do that?  

chillidoggy

If you've been told no without getting approval, it's like applying for retrospective planning permission: You take the risk of losing.