Dog A-Z > R > Rental Accomodation

Rental accommodation for you and your dog

Trying to find rented accommodation if you already have a pet dog seems to be a relatively common problem. You can’t force a landlord to let a property to you, so what can you do? Sadly, although we are often asked, we aren’t aware of any specifically pet-friendly landlords or rental agents in the UK.

One exception is for those aged 55 or over - the Anchor Trust, who may be able to help you find rented retirement housing that accepts pets. Please call 08457 758595 for more information.

There’s no way of guaranteeing that a new landlord will let you keep a pet, but if you’re looking to rent, making the following preparations may help you win them over.

• Write a ‘C.V.’ for your pet, so that your landlord can objectively consider if your dog may be suitable as a tenant. Consider including the following points and try to be as honest as possible:

• Your dog’s breed, size, age and activity level.
• If your dog is a purebred, include the breed’s positive breed traits.
• Try to highlight your dog’s history of good behaviour.
• If your dog has attended and completed training classes.
• If your dog is neutered.
• If he is likely to moult.
• If he is generally quiet.

Other points that may be useful or of interest to a landlord are:

• How often and where you plan to exercise your dog. Make an assurance that you will be responsible and pick up any poop whilst out and that you will keep the garden free of droppings at all times.

• How often and how long your dog will be left alone on the property on a regular basis. It will help if you are able to state that you will take your dog to work, arrange for day care or be at home with your dog most of the time. Dogs Trust does not recommend that you leave a dog alone for longer than 4 hours at a time. A lonely, bored dog may become destructive or noisy – not something that any landlord would be keen on!

• Assure that your dog will be regularly groomed (as appropriate for coat type), and carpets and soft furnishings will be vacuumed and cleaned.

• Detail how often your dog is treated for worms and fleas, and state whether he has had the relevant vaccinations. Supply the details of your Vet, in case the landlord wants to contact them for a reference.

• Include the details of someone who can look after your dog in an emergency, so that your dog will not be left alone in the property.

• Stress that dogs are very effective as a burglar deterrent.

• Include a cute photo of your dog, since this may help to win them over – or offer to bring your dog to meet them.

The following are strongly recommended:

• If you and your pet have lived in rented accommodation before, get a written reference/recommendation from your previous landlord. This will really help your chances – as long as your dog was well-behaved and you were a responsible owner of course! Consider suggesting that your future landlord may want to visit you and your dog in your current rented accommodation, so that they can see the condition of the property for themselves.

• Offer to sign a ‘pet agreement’, which should be included (or at least referred to) within the main tenancy agreement. This should include points applicable to both parties – for example, the landlord must give you sufficient written notice if he changes his mind about allowing you to keep a pet, whilst you must agree to ensure that your pet is off the premises when maintenance work is being carried out. You should also be prepared to offer extra security deposit funds to cover any damage that your dog may do to the property.

Remember – please do not be tempted to sneak in your dog without permission and hope that no-one notices. Breaking a no-pet rule may be grounds for eviction and you may feel forced to rehome your dog at short notice, or be left homeless – with no place for either of you to call home.

Please note that if you are thinking about adopting a dog from Dogs Trust and live in rented accommodation, we will require written permission from your current landlord before allowing the adoption to go ahead.

For more information please read about our work on 'Pathway - Pets and Housing working group'