I am desperate!! I am moving in Sheffield, but finding it impossible to find a place to rent because I have 3 lovely, well-behaving dogs! How can this be so difficult... most letting agencies won't even consider me, no matter how big deposit I would be willing to pay or what kind of references i have from my previous landlords. Should I lie and say I have no pets? They are fairly big and not easy to hide when I take them for walks, though.... What an earth do other people with pets do, please help?

Its impossible.

We moved up last year and declared a cat.
It was jolly difficult to find anywhere to consider us at all.
Basically the first place that did we rented.

Irritatingly we did look at one place through an agent with a double barrelled name that we liked but when we mentioned the cat they said 'no way.'
By coincidence we met the landlord through work, mentioned it to him and he said he had absolutely no probs with pets thus the agent unilaterally blanked us.
The place was in the country, as he said "everyone has an animal in the country dont they."

Your best bet is to board them somewhere til you can buy if thats your plan.
Sad but true Im afraid.

d

I've been working away from home and found that the fact that my dog has always been caged meant he was far more easily accepted.

Still, all agencies are going to refuse you if their clients have specified 'no pets'. It's more than their job is worth because they're bound by contract.

Private renting is probably your best bet, or find somewhere very close to a boarding kennels and board them. Will you be able to kennel them in the garden or outhouse of a rented property?

Everybody says their pet is well behaved, but it always rings warning bells. I know how much damage even the best groomed, well behaved, smallest, caged dog can do to the general standard of your decor. I'm getting fed up with cleaning nose prints off everything! :D

where could I look for private renting? I am not in Sheffield yet (have to find the house first!) so I have mainly been looking in internet and only know the renting agency websites... what would be the best place to find privately rented property?

boarding or kennels in the garden - no no! these are pets, my family, they sleep in my bed :) i'd rather sleep in the garden WITH them than kicked them outside on their own! i desperately want to find a place for ALL of us... want to buy something yeah but i think i need to rent first to give myself time to learn the town and look for something i want.

ochh, so stressed about this :( i didnt realise it would be this difficult, it never has been elsewhere i have lived.

Originally posted by onni
they sleep in my bed :) Eeeuuuchhh :gag:

that's why it's so difficult to find anywhere to rent. Are they allowed on the sofa too?

PS Brude is allowed on our bed - but it's ours. He's never allowed on any bed when we are visiting or staying in a hotel

well, i usually bring my own bed... never rented fully furnished, wouldnt even want to!??

You didn't say :rolleyes: rant retracted.

Have a look on the website

www.artfullodger.co.uk

Unlike a lot of renting agents websites, this one is based in sheffield and for sheffield only.

Although with three dogs I wouldn't hold out much hope. With one you might have a chance, but even the most laid back landlords might have a problem with that many.

Good luck!

Do you need to be *in* Sheffield? We found that places out in Derbyshire were more willing to consider pets (altho' not in all cases, sadly).

We're renting through http://www.beechwoodresidential.co.uk/ who have been pretty good.

Cheers, Carrie

This isn't your advert is it?

1 double room in shared cottage with 1 other professional, and 3 dogs (yes that was 3, they are all very good!). All bills inc. 10 mins walk to Ecclesall Rd, fully furnished house, internet, Looking for a chilled out male/female professional. I am a clean & tidy so looking for likewise. 1 month trial on both sides, drinking session compulsary before you move in! Please only respond if you are okay with dogs.

It's on: http://sheffield.freeexchange.co.uk/pages/5003.html

Originally posted by cgksheff
This isn't your advert is it?

It's on: http://sheffield.freeexchange.co.uk/pages/5003.html If it's not..... 6 dogs in one house? :D

not mine, although it sounds good!! However, even I think that 6 dogs in one cottage might be a bit excessive :)

Thanks for the links you posted, some of them gave me a little bit hope... Still wondering if there are any websites where I could find private lettings? I dont mind living outside Sheffield, as long as it is not so far that it takes forever to get to town... but because I dont know the area, I have no idea which villages would be good, and which ones would be a disaster. Any recommendations?

Re which villages outside of Sheffield you should look at, it kinda depends on what you're after. The livelier places tend to be those on the tourist trail (Hathersage, Castleton etc). But most places manage the basics (shop, pub(s), chippy etc).

Cheers, Carrie

You could try The Wharncliffe estate at Wortley, they do private renting, most of their properties are rural and dogs are usually accepted.


Wortley and the surrounding area has some great walks and the local pub, The Wortley Arms allows dogs in the bar.

Websites?

Upmystreet has a 'moving to...' forum thingy
fish4 may have private ads.
the local papers are usually a good source - sheffield telegraph, sheffield star
Or pick your area and check the cards in the newsagents and post office windows

I spent a while looking for a house to rent near the university (Crookes / Broomhall way) that would allow me to keep my dog and found that the majority of estate agents were quite happy to contact the landlord directly and ask if pets might be allowed. The advice given to me was to offer a slightly increased deposit and to commit yourself to having the carpets etc cleaned at the end of your contract. It is an extra expense but if you are serious about your dogs it might be worth a try?

onni,

Picking up on what some others have said and my own experience in letting.
It is possible for landlords to obtain varying degrees of insurance to ensure that their property is OK after letting.
The premiums for this insurance varies according to the terms of the lease.
When you find the right house you may want to pursue this.

Also you can take out pet insurance that will make good damage by your dogs. Not cheap but may be acceptable to a landlord.

Lastly. It is all a question of money!