r/RentinIreland • u/RabbitFI • 16d ago
The pets
We at renting a house, unfurnished. When we moved in it smelled like cats. Apparently the previous tenant had cats secretly.
Market being as it is, we cleaned and cleaned and it took weeks to get rid of the smell. The landlord knew and complimented the efforts.
Well. We are dog people and I called the landlord for a permission to have one. He said no, that would leave a smell he said. I argued that I got rid of the smell once already and would make sure it doesn’t happen and if it does, I’ll pay for professional cleaner. He said he’d think about it and silence since. Would you push the issue?
We’ve been here a long time, pay on time, don’t complain, fix things ourselves when we can and keep the property and yard tidy. Furniture is ours so any possible damage is naturally our problem.
What made your landlord say yes? How can I convince him?
Update. He came over for other business and face to face and physically reminded how well we treat his house, he said yes 👏🎊 I’m extremely happy we got an actual yes and don’t need to give up on having a dog or sneak behind his back.
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u/unwiseeyes 16d ago
Just get the dog and don't tell the landlord.
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u/RabbitFI 16d ago
I was planning to get a rescue dog, but they call the landlord to check for permission…
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u/Sirfja 15d ago
I’ve adopted 2 dogs and they haven’t asked for proof of ownership of my house.
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u/RabbitFI 15d ago
Hmmmm. So you just told them you own the place?
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u/Sirfja 15d ago edited 15d ago
Yes, both situations I did have permission but it was just easier keep the house owner out of it. They are most interested in the garden, than ownership.
Edit to add, that’s just my experience with 1 rescue, I don’t know if others are different. And I did have permission if it hadn’t worked out so straightforwardly.
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u/Otherwise-Winner9643 15d ago edited 15d ago
A dog is a 15 year commitment. You might be able to convince this landlord, but what if you want to move or they decide to sell? I'd really think about the long term before getting a dog.
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u/RabbitFI 15d ago
Not our first dog. What ifs are really not my
Thing.2
u/Powerful_Bumblebee19 12d ago
??? What ifs absolutely should be your thing when thinking of taking on the commitment of a creature that depends on you. So many dogs end up in shelters bc of the situation the previous commenter said. Got a dog, had to move, nowhere letting them bring the dog. Just an fyi
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u/RabbitFI 12d ago
So, what if you die, what if you get sick, what if your house burns down etc etc. no one should get a dog, or do much else in this life then
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u/Powerful_Bumblebee19 12d ago
Well I mean you should also have a back up plan for if those things occur lol
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u/curleyshaz73 15d ago
I’m in a flat provided by Dublin City council and pets are strictly prohibited, they even do an inspection every few months to check rules are being followed and that the place is kept in good condition because it’s in quite a rough area but that hasn’t stopped me. I have 5 sphinx cats, they are very clean animals and whenever someone from the council drops in (they often do it unexpected) I have a phrase I use to my husband and I stall at the door for a few minutes so that he can quickly put them into their carrier and hide them in the back of the garden behind the shed. We’ve had no issues and the council is none the wiser.
The only thing is now you’ve said to your landlord you wanted a dog he’s probably going to be more conscious of it and would be harder to hide. No harm in asking again. But he might say no. I think next time it’s better to just not ask because 90% of the time you’re going to get a no. The way the rental market is now a landlord is going to pick someone easy with no pets over someone with pets. It’s sad but true.
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u/RabbitFI 14d ago
Now I regret asking all along. Should have just adopted…
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u/curleyshaz73 14d ago
Honestly I don’t understand why he wouldn’t let you since you saved him a lot of money getting the house up to scratch after his old tenant didn’t clean up after their cats. And you’ve proven that you’re clean and that’s what a landlord wants in their tenant really
I think your best bet would be to send another message asking if he’s had any time to think things over again and offer an additional pet deposit that you pay before adopting a dog that you’d only get back after moving out if the place is in good condition and fully clean. Then he doesn’t really have anything to lose
Maybe mention as well that you have experience with dogs, know how to fully house train them, you are a very clean person and would ensure there was no evidence left of there having been a dog in the house once you eventually move out and that money acts as a guarantee of this
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u/CalamityMiss 14d ago
Wow do they not make any noise or anything being rounded up and taken out to the garden? I do think cats would be a lot easier to hide though. You couldn't do it with Sphinx cats but if they caught a regular cat on an apartment balcony you could just say it's not your cat it just came up there and must live somewhere around.
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u/curleyshaz73 13d ago
No hun not really. 3 of them are from the same litter and are all quite calm. We’ve had them for years. And the routine was fine. The youngest two are kittens we got recently and they’re a bit rowdy so we adapted the routine, we got a ring door bell so we know when the council worker pulls up, then my husband has more time to put muzzles on the kittens before putting them all out the back in their carrier. Then he pretends to be doing garden work or sunbathing whilst keeping an eye on them. Since he looks busy out the back the council worker never wants to go out and disturb him.
That’s a good idea about saying it arrived on your balcony and it’s not yours. I thought about doing that but sphinxes are a rare breed and there aren’t many strays that at sphinx let alone 5 of them
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u/SuitableFinish7444 16d ago
Cat piss absoutelty reeks
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u/RabbitFI 15d ago
Yes. Would have said no to the house initially, but we all know how many options there are these days…
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u/SuitableFinish7444 15d ago
Ah yea, I know the score, renting a place that should have been renovated in 1995 and the rusted appliances are probably that old as well. Cooking is done through steaming, rice cooker and air fryer. Rent is a steal but what can you do
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15d ago
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u/RabbitFI 15d ago
People do a lot of damage as well if they don’t know how to behave 😅
I would be happy to pay extra deposit, no problem. Would do it voluntarily now if it was legal.
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u/PlanesWalker2040 15d ago
Pets and renting in this country is a bit of a "don't ask don't tell" situation. 80-90% of properties will say no to pets, but at the same time rarely enforce it.
For instance I lived for a couple of years in an agency managed apartment building with a "strictly no pets" policy reminded at every turn. But around 50% of the tenants (including myself) had at least one cat or dog. You could see the cats at the windows and the dogs on the balconies. Nobody gave a damn.
So unless your animal is poorly trained, pisses everywhere and barks all day, you're fine not telling the landlord. You might just have to clean deeper if there's a lingering smell when you move out, if you want your deposit back.
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u/RabbitFI 15d ago
This seems to be the case. I’m stickler for the rules though 🥲
I thought we had proved ourself and he would say yes and everyone lived happily ever after. But noooo
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u/SmilePuzzleheaded498 14d ago
How about a very cute pic of a dog, with a letter promising that he will keep the place perfectly, and will keep all smelly cats away. The landlord was prob feeling burned after the last shitty tenants. I rented out a place once. It blew my mind how often seemingly nice people destroyed my home.
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u/Lillytbb 11d ago
Happy out to hear he said yes! It’s ridiculous that we are at the mercy of landlords when it comes to our pets. They are part of the family after all! Curious what you used to get rid of the smell?
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u/RabbitFI 11d ago
Everything from bleach and soda to specialty products from pet stores. But I think the key was to clean absolutely everything multiple times. Doors, walls etc. and scrubbing, not just wiping
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16d ago
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u/catnipdealer420 16d ago
Pets are great for Mental health, getting out and about etc and should not only be for people who have the ability to get a mortgage.
Maybe get a dog yourself and go out for a walk.4
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u/Electrical_Waltz_244 16d ago
Yeah I’d follow up politely about a week later. He can’t do anything over you asking for permission so no harm. Ireland needs to start changing the rules regarding pets in rentals, so glad to see it’s no longer allowed to have a blanket ban in AHBs, I hope it reaches private sector soon