Struggling to Find Housing

Very small sample size but the only people I know renting with a dog got their place through word of mouth at their work from someone who had dogs themselves. Working out fine, the place isn't exactly a palace but all seem happy.

Maybe put a notice up in work if allowed?

I had a tenant put a dog in and did not tell me. Back door destroyed, urine smell of the cupboard under the stairs where a dog had a duvet. Skirting board eaten as dog teething. Smell everywhere. Sofa destroyed as well. Carpets were cleaned and the smell was awful.
I was not happy and after that it was no to all dogs.

Then another brought a cat in without my permission. I allergies and had a feeling cats were there but could not prove it. Carpet was cleaned and hair lifted in the pile in the end I had to replace the carpet.

You need to be upfront with your potential landlord. Your landlord could give you notice in the 6months and you are back to square one. Ask your landlord now to add areference for the dog and state if damage was made by the dog. Offer a larger deposit and definately give as much information about it. If the dog is small maybe bring with you on second viewing or offer to bring the dog so landlord can see it. Take photos of where you are now and even off the protential landlord to visit where you are now so they know the house will be looked after. If the dog is in dog daycare let them know if you are out all day.

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Doesn't help is a complete understatement. It's a huge problem, most landlords will want nothing to do with you.

Just don’t say you have a god damn dog and you’ll be grand ffs. You don’t have to tell the landlord every small detail

We rented a few times with a Dog. The best way we found was to go see the property and express interest.

Once the process get started mention the Dog to the landlord as he already have indicated that he do consider you as a possible tenant.

Offer to meet in person to meet the dog, and to pay a extra month deposit if possible, to add a liability clause in the contract if needed.

It’s a bit more complicated but not impossible to find something. Houses will be easier as some apartments have a no pets policy.

Daft have a pets alowed filter available, but if not mentioned No pets in the add I would always give it a try.

Best of luck.

During the downturn I was forced to accept tenants with a dog. While the dog didn’t destroy my property and I am a dog lover, the attitude of those tenants to me and my property at that time where they took advantage has left a significant marker in my mind.

Since then I associate dogs as low point in being a LL, to the point of now where I would likely go out of my way to avoid a reoccurrence. I strongly suspect I am not alone in this.
On this basis, Id suggest trying to present humility to any perspective landlord, showing a recognition that the dog is a problem, where perhaps upfront offering to supply an additional deposit or a one off cost of replacing some carpets, a deep clean when leaving, even the cost of replacing a back door upfront might help persuade some prospective LLSs. I know this is going to run to a few K's but for me that's what it would take. Perhaps using the part 4 timeline as the exact time to pay the one off cost would lower the risk for the tenant.