Tenants want a pet cat.. yay or nay?

Thanks for the replies.

I emailed the PM and said I don't mind if they get a cat but want to make sure it's toilet trained and has a scratching post so it doesn't damage the carpet, curtains etc.

It turns out the tenant who emailed the PM and wanted the cat didn't run it past the other tenants first. The other tenants were not happy she made a request to have a pet as they were not keen on having one in the property. I've let the PM know to tell the girls I'm happy for them to have a cat if they change their minds.

 

Perfect scenario You look like a great landlord in their eyes

 

This came up on my newsfeed earlier, thought of you when I saw it!

With any luck they won't get a cat after all, but good to see you've given them the option.

 

So to me it means try your luck, nothing to lose

I've often found what is actually enforceable and what is perceived to be enforceable are two very different things. Some of the best negotiators I have read about in business etc utilise this distinction all the time.

 

Most tenants are quite clued up because all of the legislation is publicly available online or via the free tenancy helpline. It's fair that both teams know all the rules of the game, I guess, but some like to abuse them.

 

Personally, I think its OK to ask he tenants to clean the carpets every year if they have indoor pets which are likely to make it more dirty/smelly. I wouldn't feel bad at all if they paid for it and I wouldn't consider it 'abusing' them. But others might that's ok with me.

 

Not much point - they're not going to do it and there's nothing you can do about it.

 

I hear what your saying Dave.

But really, people do things all the time that they don't 'legally' have to do, but do so for x, y and z reason. But that's for another thread.

 

If they were good people, they'd probably do it anyway, even if it wasn't in the lease. Some people do have pride in their homes

 

I think your right @D.T. ...most of the tenants I have come across are decent people. I often give them movie tickets, dinner tickets and the like every few months. I think it helps. Its hard to be 'bad' to people who are kind to you.

 

In all seriousness, yea really...
I would have thought they'd be the best thing for a low end IP
Cheap, easy to throw in a front loader machine to clean
Light so can use those spring end rods rather than drill holes etc
Provides privacy whilst allowing plenty of natural light
(Peeping toms can see inside at night when lights are on)

What other curtain ticks all those boxes with easy maint?
Venetian blinds are a pain to clean or repair
Verticals are shocking and end up in the bin, scrap metal yard real quick with any place I've purchased that's had them.

 

Yeah as a PM I find a lot of the tenants with pets stay longer than tenants without, I am not a pet person myself as I hate the hair but find most tenants with pets are very conscious of the hair and cleanliness as they need a good reference moving forward.
You can get an drawn up an agreement whereby you can request the tenant gets the carpets steam cleaned every six months and also can request fumigating the carpet, if need be at request.

 

Like your style. Even if it's not legally enforceable, its good stuff.

 

If all parties agree prior then its usually a winner. Its all about negotiation at the end of the day right.

 

Agree...

My understanding also that it is not enforceable.. so why waste your time! So agreed. Not harm in putting it in.. If they are overly compliant.... Hmm... I wonder if I had to clean that chimney in that property I once rented.

 

Can't imagine any PM sticking their head in a fire place looking up the chimney to see if its been done.

@D.T. might?

I didn't even give it a thought when my last tenant moved out, didn't matter anyway, ripped it out, hate the things, termites with wood, carpet burns, smoke stains on paint, potential to burn the place down etc

 

We has to provide receipts for chimney sweep and carpet cleaning. BS when we didn't even use the fire.

 

I'd dispute that. They can't force you to use professional services vs doing it yourself. Only thing that matters is the exit report matching the entry one.

 

Good to know. We certainly thought it was unreasonable but just did as we were told. Something to look into if I am ever a tenant again!

 

If they are good tenants I'd allow it, as long as they sign on for another 12 months