Landlord Products / Services
I’ve been in the landlording game for a long-arse time, and I’ve definitely had my fair share of experiences with tenants who have pets. Some were unmitigated, soul-destroying disasters, that still haunt me to this day. Think the usual: chewed-up furniture that looked like they had been tossed into a wood-chipper, stubborn excrement stains left in places you’d think are unreachable, and lingering stenches that made my nose fall off my skull. Others were so seamless it was like the pets (and sometimes even the tenants!) didn’t exist, which is obviously every landlord’s dream scenario.
The reality is, most landlords have their own stories and requirements, and no one can force a landlord to accept pets, especially if they’re dead set against it. It’s just not going to happen. In my experience, that kind of resistance usually stems from past trauma – bad experiences that left behind battle scars, usually in the form of financial losses.
As is so often the case, it’s the few rotten apples that screw it up for everyone. I get the struggle tenants face when trying to find pet-friendly landlords – they’re becoming increasingly rare.
Truthfully, I’m sympathetic to both sides of the debate. I get it.
That said, there are still landlords out there who are openly pet-friendly. Moreover, even when a listing has the dreaded “no pets allowed” disclaimer, it’s not always set in stone – there’s often wiggle room to tell your story and change a mind. All it takes is a positive nudge.
However, with relatively few pet-friendly landlords, and with many perched on the fence, pet owners often have to make a strong case for being the most suitable applicant.
I genuinely believe there’s a right and a wrong way for pet-owning tenants to approach a tenancy application, and doing it the right way can put you ahead in the queue, and even open doors you might not expect.
So, in this blog post, I want to share what I believe is the right approach – one that gives you the best possible chance of being accepted alongside your beloved pet(s).
What all good landlords want from a tenant
Since I don’t live under a rock, I’m not oblivious to how most of society views landlords. We’re not exactly topping anyone’s Christmas card list.
But I can tell you this with certainty, decent landlords have simple expectations. It all comes down to one thing – responsibility. We want long-term tenants to treat the property with respect, communicate clearly and promptly, and pay rent on time.
In return, we want to help ensure you have the most comfortable experience possible, so you have no reason to leave.
Understanding these expectations is key, because they’re the foundation you can use to build your case as a responsible pet owner.
How to build a solid case: Documents that show you’re a responsible tenant and pet owner
This is where I introduce AdvoCATS.
A wonderful non-profit voluntary organisation, which provides FREE practical support and advice service to tenants (and landlords) where there are issues with keeping pets in rented properties.
Their mission is to keep pets out of rescue by working with tenants and landlords – helping responsible pet-owning tenants stand the best chance of finding suitable rental accommodation.
Surrendering pets for rental issues is the second highest reason animals are handed in to rescues, and with more people renting than ever before, the problem is getting worse.
- They help tenants put together documentation that demonstrates they’re responsible pet owners, something that can significantly strengthen rental applications and boost acceptance rates;
- and supporting tenants who are already in rental accommodation and want to adopt a pet. This includes challenging No Pets clauses, advising on the best course of action, and even negotiating with landlords on the tenant’s behalf
How do they do that exactly? By doing the following…
- Speak to a housing association, agency or landlord on your behalf
- Assess your pet(s) and their behaviour/characteristics & produce a Pet CV
- Obtain a Vet Reference to confirm appropriate healthcare
- Look at other ways of showing that you look after your pet(s)
By the end of it, responsible tenants will have documented evidence to indicate they are responsible pet-owners, which can be passed onto their current or prospective landlords.
Will this guarantee a pet-friendly landlord welcoming you and your pet(s) into a wonderful home? Nope, but it’ll give you the best possible chance, in my opinion.
AdvoCATS are bloody brilliant, and that’s exactly why I’m fully behind their cause.
I implore you to visit their website to find out more about how they can help you.
What pets do AdvoCATS assess and verify?
Cats and dogs are their bread and butter, but thanks to a couple of vet nurses on the caseworker team, they can also assess small mammals like rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters, as well as birds, and even some of the more exotic pet choices, like chinchillas.
Interested in being a volunteer?
I have to ask. I’d be remiss if I didn’t.
AdvoCATS is a completely voluntary, not-for-profit organisation run by folks with a strong background in pet rescue and animal welfare. Their team of volunteers shares one thing in common: a genuine passion for animals. They’re always on the lookout for more helping hands, especially if you’ve got that same love for pets.
In their words,
Whatever your strengths or preferences, there’s sure to be something you can do to help us, from as little as a couple of hours a month – here’s just a few examples:
- Caseworker
- Staffing at Information Days
- Helping at fundraising events
- Social Media Management
- Corporate Liaison
Interested? Here’s a link to their contact page.
Good luck!
Landlord out xo
Disclaimer: I'm just a landlord blogger; I'm 100% not qualified to give legal or financial advice. I'm a doofus. Any information I share is my unqualified opinion, and should never be construed as professional legal or financial advice. You should definitely get advice from a qualified professional for any legal or financial matters. For more information, please read my full disclaimer.
