Cats and dogs policy shortsighted

Im sorry but this is pure hysteria.. Tenants are never banned from letting a dog in their house, they are only banned from keeping a pet. A friend could bring round their dog.

If the incoming tenant has an allergy it is up to them to deal with that, as a landlord you could never guarantee that there was no animal hairs in the house. When I visit my dad who has 2 golden retrievers I come home and find hairs everywhere.

You don't have the same policy for children.

I always believe it is upto the landlord to decide although I do think it should not be unreasonably denied. having a dog in a flat would not be suitable for example. The government have been silly in limiting the deposit which was an easy way to cover any extra costs, no good pet owner ever has a problem with a higher deposit.

As a landlord is it right that we should be able to unreasonably hoist upon tenants limitations to their mainly due to our own opinions? I have let tenants have dogs and cats, they have never caused any more damage than a child could and tenants generally stay for longer. I could understand the worry if you were renting out a high end apartment or even a flat but a family home no.

As due diligence I always do the viewings to meet prospective tenants and always ask any pets be brought along so I can meet them. You can usually get a good idea by how well behaved the animal is if they are going to be an issue, most pet owners are responsible.

As for the responsible owners certificate, clearly you have never been on one of these courses, basically everybody passes so its a waste of time relying on that.

I love all animals but there are certain animals that should not have to be alone all day which is why some may have a little chew.I feel that leaving a dog home all day alone is wrong . To put the animal in a crate is wrong. I do have a couple of my tenants that have these doggy centres that have their dogs.
But it cant be fair on the animal to be just left so I will refuse a pet if this will be happening .

Reply to the comment left by steve p at 22/01/2020 - 12:47Here is more hysteria from medical papers:
Chan&Leung 2017, Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Journal (US) - citing c 20% worldwide population affected by pet hair and skin allergies, numbers affected growing as our immune system weakens from pollution.
Hellgren et al, Allergic rhinitis and the high cost to society in time off work from pet allergens,. 2010, Allergy Journal.
Ownby, DR, Difficult to control (chronic) asthma and the (prolonged) burden of illness from pet body materials, 2010, Allergy and Asthma Proc.
Mandhane et al, The risks of atopy (immune deterioration) in children and adults from pets, 2009, Allergy and Clin. Immunology.
etc, etc.
-but then I forget, we do things by popular appeal in the UK now, not by science, that is why we have such a strong economy (sic).
As newer 'modern day' tenants abetted by their fee starved lawyers find out the names to sue when the tenants cant get rid of their chronic rhinitis and have to take massive time off work, etc, (so losing more millions from our flourishing nation's economy) they, or their lawyers, will not forgive the 'pet compassionate' rogue behaviour ridden landlords.
In addition, no landlord should ever consider a dog from the dangerous dogs list.
Very good pet owner courses do exist, but commentator kindly reminds me that courses should now be more stringent than ever, so, here is an appeal for some new updated pet owner courses, ones eminently matched for rogue landlords. (Plenty of money can and will be made from these so get busy course providers!).

As a landlord can I still advertise my properties as “no pets” or will I run the risk of be charged with discrimination ?

I remain anti pet in my properties. A lot of my properties are flats so I do not feel suitable for cats and dogs. Its not fair on an animal to be left all day if owners work, and in addition I have other tenants in the block to consider. I HAVE allowed registered helping/service dog in a ground floor flat and have had no issues since. There is a clause in the TA that states all carpets must be cleaned, or if necessary replaced at the end of the tenancy (it is only a small flat). I deal direct on a one-on-one basis with my tenants, and so take each incoming renter as an individual. There are too many rules and regulations hoisted on LL's. If you don't want to live in my property that's your choice but I wont be told what I h ave to accept and what I don't. In opposition, I had one tenant who was really happy that I don't take pets, no issue of noise, dog hair etc in communal hallways etc. She came from a block where everyone was allowed pets and hated it. Pardon the pun but horses for courses - I still wont allow pets!

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 23/01/2020 - 09:54
oh run the gauntlet! I tell my Local Council no pets when then ask for flats from me. I've seen far more discriminatory signs of 'No DSS/kids' in boards in estate agents!

Just say 'no'. We have a rule at my own home - no dogs allowed. If it's good enough for me, it's good enough for my tenants. My (true) defence is that I suffer from asthma, exacerbated by contact with dogs. I would therefore be unable to give active support to tenants who wished to keep pets. Incidentally, have you ever visited a house with a dog that doesn't smell? (the house, that is, and probably the dog as well! And for dog, read cats and dogs.) James

Reply to the comment left by WP at 23/01/2020 - 10:02
Call my cynical but I can see a legal case shortly where a landlord advertises as no pets and gets taken to Court (or as in the recent “No DSS” challenge, settles out of Court).

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 23/01/2020 - 10:09
probably...if it's me I'll be willing to argue the case and keep you all posted LOL! Pet discriminaton? Oh please...(sighs)

Reply to the comment left by James Noble at 23/01/2020 - 10:08That is an excellent defence James hadn’t thought of that. I suffered terribly from asthma when a child and have allergies to pretty much all animals, dogs, cats, rabbits and horses. Within half an hour of being in the company of a dog I can’t breathe it’s like suddenly developing a chest infection and I have to use my inhaler and leave. I have substantial medical evidence of this as I had allergy tests when I was 13 years old and was allergic to pretty much everything. (And of course my doctor currently prescribes my inhaler). I had a course of two injections each week at my local GP surgery for around 6 months which cured the asthma but somehow brought out the allergies which I was not aware of until the treatment. My doctor tells me they don’t prescribe these injections (from the 1970’s) these days as they are too dangerous. I can have a goldfish at home but that’s about all.