Pet advice from Woodgreen
From behavioural issues to dietary needs and everything in between, we’ve got yo...
Finding rented accommodation with a landlord who gives permission to keep pets can be challenging. Here are a few things that you can do to show prospective landlords you are a responsible and considerate pet owner.
It does take longer to find pet-friendly accommodation, so start your search early. Six-to-eight weeks before you need to move is a good time to begin. Being as flexible as you can might also increase your success. Try to consider as many homes as possible, and over as wide an area as you can.
Include as much information about your pet as you can. This can include things like the veterinary surgery they are registered at, their vaccination records, their flea and worming treatment dates, and if they are microchipped. If your pet is insured, be sure to include insurance company information. If it’s a dog and they have graduated at training classes, we also recommend including this.
A reference from your previous landlord can be very helpful. Knowing that a previous landlord was happy with your pet’s behaviour in their property can go a long way in reassuring the new landlord that you and your pet will be good tenants.
Even if the property you are interested in says no pets, it’s still worth asking the agent to call the landlord and enquire about your specific situation. Some landlords may be reluctant to allow particular pet types, but may be comfortable considering others. If you are able to visit the agents, have your pet’s reference and CV prepared and ready to take along with you, as it could help open doors.
Inviting your landlord to your current home to meet your pet and see how they behave will reduce their concern. They will be relieved if your pet is settled, and there are not any signs of pet related damage.
We strongly advise not to keep a pet in a property without getting permissionDiscovering a tenant has a pet is likely to damage the trust between you and your landlord. This can cause serious consequences, and could lead to termination of your tenancy agreement.
If you have been given verbal permission to keep a pet at your property, always ask for that in writing. Also to prevent future problems, it is advisable to request and ensure that any ‘no pets’ clauses are removed before signing the tenancy agreement.