I think the rules are about to change regarding pets in rented property..
Making it possible to have pets .
I love animals.. We have/had dogs and cats in the family..
Would I rent my property to a dog/cat owner.? Probably not..
I do believe that it should be the choice of the property owner.. All damage caused by pets and there can be many, will usually lay at the feet of the landlord..
My friend's son had tenants in his house who owned an Alsatian dog, the dog was looked after, but left alone for too long. They moved out owing rent money and left the house in a dreadful state. New carpets were needed and even the rooms with laminate flooring stank. The best part is the mother was a school teacher.
There was a local women who owned at least 5 cats and was smelly herself, she told my friend that she was looking for a place to rent, would you want her as your tenant?
A friend of my daughter's lets out property and once told me , if you get the place back in a reasonable state it's a bonus. Although many people will be OK, you are bound to get one who turns the place into a dogs or cats toilet, never mind wrecking the garden.
Even some tenants without pets can cause so much damage to your property..
I feel for those who truly do have a well behaved pet.. struggling to find accommodation because of those who care less about the property of others.
They are usually whingers who can be a bugger to evict.. The rights seem to be in favour of the tenant rather than the landlord ..
Tenants who want to have pets can take out a specific insurance policy that covers the landlord for any damage done by the pets.