Keeping guinea pigs in my flat against landlords wishes

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Gingeypig101

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Hello all! I’ve had my two boys for two years now and didn’t have a problem keeping them in my old flat but I’m moving into a new flat next week due to a new job and my landlord won’t allow me to have my Guinea pigs. I have sent him a reference from my old landlord as well as pictures of their set up and reassurances regarding smells and damage but is still refusing. Giving them up is out of the question as they have helped me so much. On top of this one of my boys has recently been ill with bladder stones so I don’t feel I can leave them with family members. Does anyone have any advice regarding tenancies and keeping their pigs without permission? TIA
 
I don't have experience of keeping guineas in a rental but when were renting and got our dogs we had to pay an extra £100 per dog on top of the deposit, it was to cover damages etc and was refunded at the end of the tenancy.
 
I would strongly advise against keeping pets without the landlord's permission, if they have a no pets clause in the tenancy agreement you have signed and you go against that you could be evicted and end up homeless unfortunately. Its an unfortunate situation but if you sign a contract with a no pets clause that is legally binding. I suggest you try engage with the landlord and offer an extra deposit and try to negotiate a solution- and if you can't, you will either need to find a pet friendly landlord or leave your piggies with a friend or family member until you find suitable accomodation which permits pets I'm afraid. Is social housing/housing association an option? They tend to be more pet friendly than private landlords. But its worth engaging your landlord to show them the piggies and their set up and agree some ground rules and extra deposit that might allow them to agree to the piggies. Best of luck!
 
I agree with PigglePuggle. You need to urgently lease with your landlord - if it’s in a signed contract then it is legally binding. Try to find out why you cannot have the piggies with you. An extra deposit to allow them with you might help in persuading the landlord to agree. I wish you good luck.
 
That’s such a shame. If the landlord won’t budge then you’ll have to find another rental that allows pets I’m afraid. ☹️
 
Thanks everyone for your replies so far! I just can’t see how the landlord would ever find out if we’re clean and just take them to a friends for quarterly inspections. The landlord has to give me 24 hrs notice legally before coming round so that would give me time to clear up.
Unfortunately the contract is all signed and can’t offer anymore more money because of the tenants fees act:/
 
There is a " fairer rental sector" white paper which the government intends to bring into force but will be at least 6 months away. Within it landlords won't be allowed to deny pets without good reason. Will you be renting directly from the landlord or through an agency? Private landlords who don't use agencies may not be up to speed with proposed changes. An agency should be aware of changes and be able to advise you accordingly. Has your landlord explained why they don't want pets? Perhaps there is someway you can persuade them to be ahead of the curve?
 
Are you in the UK? I'm not sure if it will help, but they aren't supposed to deny pets for no reason in the near future, if you sound like you know what your rights are he may back down.

This article has a link to the government's own website regarding it.
Landlords must allow renters to have pets in new Government plans
 
Pound Shilling & Pig said:
There is a " fairer rental sector" white paper which the government intends to bring into force but will be at least 6 months away. Within it landlords won't be allowed to deny pets without good reason. Will you be renting directly from the landlord or through an agency? Private landlords who don't use agencies may not be up to speed with proposed changes. An agency should be aware of changes and be able to advise you accordingly. Has your landlord explained why they don't want pets? Perhaps there is someway you can persuade them to be ahead of the curve?
Click to expand...
Thank you for this. I’m renting through an agency but will go back and mention this and see what they say
 
Eriathwen said:
Are you in the UK? I'm not sure if it will help, but they aren't supposed to deny pets for no reason in the near future, if you sound like you know what your rights are he may back down.

This article has a link to the government's own website regarding it.
Landlords must allow renters to have pets in new Government plans
Click to expand...
Yes I’m in the UK, I wasn’t given a reason just a firm no so I’m going to go back and quote this and see what they say. Thanks for your help :)
 
Keep us informed of what they say!

It's heart breaking having to give up piggies. In November, I adopted 2 piggies from a family a couple of miles away whose rental agency said "yes" but at the quarterly inspection, the Landlord found out and said "no". I felt terrible taking the piggies from the family, the wife and son were upstairs as they couldn't bear to see the piggies being taken away. The family were happy that their piggies were going to a lovely home and I was happy that I could give them a lovely home where they have been spoilt rotten.
 
I’m sorry you’re in this situation. I agree with those above - if the landlord is stuck on no then it’s really not a good idea to keep them with you. I wouldn’t risk the taking them round to someone in preparation for the quarterly inspections either.

We are renting and our contract has a not pet clause as well. Because of this, I did ask the landlord if we could have the (then) school guinea pigs for the weekend.

It would be risky to keep them when you’re not allowed. I am sure the landlord has his reasons. Sorry it’s not what you want to hear though, I can understand your frustration.

ETA I wrote this a while ago but didn’t post. I hope that the info you’ve been given will be of use. Keep us posted!
 
I really hope you can come up with a solution, but even moving them before inspections may not be enough.
If the landlord finds out you have been keeping them there without permission, you risk loosing your home and deposit with no notice.
Breaking the rules of an agreement that you signed has the potential to end very badly, no matter how unfair it seems I simply wouldn't risk air and would spend time looking for some pet friendly accommodation instead.
 
When I was a student pets were absolutely forbidden. Many people (not me, I didn’t think it was fair on them) kept a hamster in the wardrobe. No hamsters were ever found, despite the smell of wet sawdust 😂

I suppose the grown up in me is advising you to listen to the others. I’m not sure I would though 😬😬😬
 
So here is the current stance and depends on what your tenancy agreement says
New standard tenancy agreement to help renters with well behaved pets

At the end of the day you can move the piggies for the quarterly check etc but there are other ways they might find out. If there are urgent repairs needed etc it might be reported back by builders, plumbers etc. At the end of the day it's a risk. If your tenancy point blank says no pets then you risk being found in breach which could start eviction proceedings and I believe a breach in tenancy agreement like that would be mandatory grounds which means the judge would have no option but to allow the eviction to go through.

I know I used to hide my hamster in the wardrobe if the landlord ever came round to inspect which he rarely did. This was more like 15 years ago though
 
It's easy to get them out the way for planned inspections but what if there's a burst pipe or emergency situation that your landlord needs to come and see. Hiding the evidence may be the least of your worries when your toilets leaking in the middle of the night.

Our landlord told us we could keep Guinea pigs but tried to go back on this after a few months when he realised we were keeping them inside (we never said how they would be kept) we've had to sign a separate agreement that says we'll have the place professionally cleaned and fumigated when we leave, pet food will be kept in sealed containers, rodant or flee infestations will be delt with by us at no cost to the landlord, and piggies will not get floor time outside of a run with ground sheet. We try to make sure the cage is tidy and looking it's best and makes sure there is no hay or poops on the floor if the landlord is visiting.
 
Gingeypig101 said:
Hi everyone thank you all for your help and advice on this. The landlord won’t budge on their decision and so the piggies will be staying with family. Such a tough decision but I know that it just isn’t worth the risk of eviction. I appreciate all of your comments so thank you x
Click to expand...
I’m sorry there was no change. It’s not what you wanted but it’s good they’re staying with family.
 
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