HOW TO RENT A PROPERTY IF YOU HAVE A PET?
Do you have pets? Are you considering getting pets? Whatever the case is, it is usually difficult to get a pet-friendly rental property.
Based on a survey, about 45% of people living in the UK own a pet. So, there are several tenants in need of a pet-friendly property.
However, lots of letting agents and landlords will not allow let out their properties to pet owners. Once you let them know, they will avoid renting you their properties.
Perhaps you may decide to hide this information from them. Nevertheless, this could lead to a violation of your lease terms. Resultantly, the letting agents or landlords may give you notice to leave. Unfortunately, you, your pet or the landlord will never gain from such action.
Therefore, relax and learn more about renting with pets. Foremost, read our fives tips for renting with a pet.
1. BEGIN YOUR PREPARATION EARLY
It can be very difficult to get a decent pet-friendly home for a few reasons. Firstly, the tenancy agreement may not permit pet ownership. Secondly, there are certain things that the property must have.
For instance, cat owners must rent a home that is far the main road and possesses a cat flap. Dog owners will likely prioritize renting a big property that is not far from a park.
Therefore, it is reasonable to start preparing early. It is recommended that you start planning for about eight weeks ahead.
Also, it is important to be flexible when searching for pet-friendly homes. Flexibility can help you increase your chance of getting a home. Ensure that you expand the type of property you are looking for. Similarly, expand your search areas.
2. PERSUADE THE LANDLORD ABOUT YOUR PET
If you are lucky to find a landlord that allows a pet, persuade them. The essence of persuasion is to put them at ease about your pet.
For instance, you can give them the medical details of your pet. These details include the worming and flea treatments, neutering confirmation, and last vaccinations. These sets of information allow them to understand that living with your pet is safe.
In addition, give them the contact information of your veterinary doctor. Also, give them contact details of someone who can look after your pet in case of an emergency.
Getting a reference from your former landlord can also help. This is specifically meant for people who have rented before with a pet. The reference should show that your pet is not violent and did not damage your previous rental property. With this, the new landlord knows you take responsibility for the actions of your pet. Moreover, it will let them know that your pet is not a threat to the safety of their property.
3. MODIFY THE CONTRACT
Most rental agreements are Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreements. These agreements include certain sets of information. The information includes the start and duration of tenancy, rent, and notice needed when moving out. Furthermore, the agreements have the dos and don’ts of the home. The dos and don’ts may include owning a pet.
However, AST is amendable. In other words, both the landlord and tenancy can modify it before signing. Therefore, you could suggest that the AST should include ownership of a pet. Also, the AST should show that you are responsible for cleaning and keeping the property free from smells caused by your pet.
Another thing you could agree is paying for the costs of professional cleaning when leaving home. You could also include the allowance of regular inspections of the homes during the tenancy.
Nevertheless, there is an alternative. This involves paying a more substantial security deposit. This ensures that you cover any damage that your pet may cause. For instance, the landlord may request for rent of four weeks as a deposit. However, you can increase the deposit to about five weeks. Notably, this is the maximum deposit as stipulated from June 1, 2019.
Your deposit is safe as long as the agreement is an AST. The landlord will keep it in any of three Tenancy Deposit Schemes approved by the government.
Alternative, you can choose to pay a slightly higher rent. However, the landlord must state that the home allows a pet or not.
4. LET YOUR LANDLORD MEET YOUR PET
You should introduce your pet to your landlord. This way you can put the mind of your landlord at ease. Generally, you only need to do this if your pet is a dog.
After meeting your dog, the landlord can understand how she relates to people. If you would like to do this, invite your potential landlord to visit your current apartment. This can help you prove that your pet is well behaved. Even if a letting agent is in charge of the rental property, you can still do this. The letting agent can help you convince the landlord to allow pets.
5. NEVER KEEP A PET WITHOUT PERMISSION
Do not shy away from the information your landlord that you own a pet. If they find out on their own, you may be in a big problem. They can find out through routine check or complaints from other renters.
This breach of contract can lead to an eviction process.
WHY A HOMEOWNER MIGHT NOT ALLOW PETS
Several reasons make landlords avoid letting out to pet owners.
Some pet owners are irresponsible. This can lead to damages to furniture, floors, wiring, and woodwork. Such damages usually require costly repairs. This is enough to make landlord lose interest in renting to those with pets.
Noise nuisance is another common issue. This can lead to complaints from other renters or neighbours.
Pet smells can also be a big issue. The smells are capable of lingering on for so long in the property. In most cases, only professional cleaning can get rid of the odour. Without property treatment of animals, they are susceptible to fleas. If these fleas should infest a property, only expert treatment can take care of the problem.
Possibility of allergies for other renters can put landlords off renting to pet owners. This is specifically true for shared properties.
WHY A PET OWNER CAN BE A GREAT RENTER
Sometimes, it can be worthwhile to let out a property to a pet owner. This is because pet owners have higher chances of setting and staying in a place for long. Therefore, this ensures that the landlord does not need to find new renters. Notably, finding new tenants requires lots of efforts and money.
Also, it is usually difficult to find pet-friendly properties. Consequently, a pet owner will probably want to impress the landlord. This requires them to take proper care of the property to ensure tenancy agreement renewal.
THE BENEFITS OF BEING A PET-FRIENDLY LANDLORD
By allowing pets, a pet-friendly landlord has access to more tenants than others.
Since only a few landlords allow a pet, pet-friendly landlords can charge a higher rent.
8 STEPS TO LOWER STRESS WHEN MOVING TO A NEW PLACE WITH PETS
1. VISIT THE VET
Foremost, update your pet’s vaccinations. Also, keep all important certificates and records. If your pet is on any medication, make sure you have the medications before moving.
You can also ask the vet if you can get any mild sedatives. This is because your pet may go through stress while traveling.
Lastly, update your pet’s microchip. Ensure that your new home address is on it.
2. KEEP YOUR ROUTINE
Cats and pets like routine. However, moving from one house to another can affect the routine. Therefore, avoid changing the routine of your pet. This can be difficult, but it is possible.
If you own a cat, keep her indoor for about two weeks. However, this is not the same as a dog. You can maintain the same walking route for your dog, if possible.
3. TAKE OUT YOUR PET’S CARRIER EARLY
Moving comes with lots of activities. These include clearing out your cupboards, garage, and loft. During these activities, take out the carrier or basket of your pet early. Then, keep it where you can easily see it. This ensures that your pet sees it from time to time. Resultantly, it will adjust to being close to the carrier. The pet can adjust to the sight and smell of the carrier.
Waiting till the time of moving can be problematic. It may lead to extra stress for the pet.
4. USE A TEMPORARY ID TAG
Normally, you should update the microchip of your pet. Change your old address to the new one at the local vet. However, this may not be enough. Add a temporary tag to the collar of the pet on the moving day. This temporary tag should have your new address and mobile number. This ensures that people can find you if your pet gets lost.
Cats are likely to return to the former address even after leaving the place. So, if you keep a cat, inform the new talent in your old apartment about her. Give them your mobile number. If possible, you can give them a picture of the cat.
5. GET A CATTERY OR KENNELS
Consider booking your pet into kennels or a cattery on the moving day. In fact, you can book the pet one or two days before and after the moving day. Basically, this saves pets from the stress of moving. Also, this ensures that you do not worry about the pet while moving.
Alternatively, you can keep your pet with a friend or family. This saves you money. Similarly, it saves the pet from the stress of kennels and catteries.
6. PREPARE FOR YOUR PET
Designate a room specifically for your pet in the old home when moving. Ensure that the room is undisturbed and secure. You can hang a sign on the door to prevent people from disturbing the pet. After moving everything, you can then move your pet.
You can use a seat belt to strap the animal carrier to the car. This eases the process of moving. If you are moving reptiles or fish, consult an expert on the equipment or container to use.
7. SETTLE YOUR PET INTO THE NEW UNIT FIRST
If your pet is a fish or reptile, put the tank in place first. Also, you should monitor them for a few days.
If you own a cat or dog, put them in a room filled with familiar belongings. This allows the pets to familiarize themselves with the new home. Afterward, let the pet check out the rest of the home. However, you should pay attention to them as they continue the familiarization.
Keep outdoor cats inside your home for about two weeks. This lowers the chance of them returning to your former apartment. For dogs, take them out from time to time. This is to make them understand their new terrain.
8. LET YOUR NEW NEIGHBOURS MEET YOUR PET
Finally, introduce your pet to the people living in your new neighbourhood. With this, they can help you watch out for the pets if they ever get lost.
CONTACT US
So, you now understand what renting with a pet entails. You can learn more from us at Agent House. We offer different top-notch real estate solutions to letting agents and others. Get in touch with us now.
