What to tell estate agents when renting regarding reptiles ???

[Tops]

Originally Posted by HABU

don't ask...don't tell........

Yes indeed

[Rain]

it's things like this that make me glad that I own my own place, the only people that disapprove dont have an say in the matter.

As has been said, apart from asking to only be shown "pet friendly" places, I dunno what to suggest.

[boabloketony]

Don't suppose there's anybody on here that has a house to let in Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent?

Surely you wouldn't mind me keeping reptiles ...

[CaseyM]

Try advertising for a place yourself?

Thats worked for me once.

[Azazel777]

Originally Posted by Tops

Yes indeed

but if you get caught out you are sure to be kicked out if your landlord has an issue with it...especially if the advertisement in which you found the house states a no pet policy...which the greater deal of them do in this country. if you were caught out you would be breaking a tenancy agreement and likely asked to leave me thinks. easier to be honest about it or following that do what i did and automatically cross out any listings which are advertised with a no pet policy

Originally Posted by Rain

it's things like this that make me glad that I own my own place, the only people that disapprove dont have an say in the matter.

As has been said, apart from asking to only be shown "pet friendly" places, I dunno what to suggest.

yeah i know what you mean...unfortunately everyone has different circumstances and cant own their own home. this is the short time i havent owned a home and it is frustrating...not because of pets but myriad things. i look forward to owning my own home again after my next degree and stable career (and paying the loans back lol)

[Tops]

Originally Posted by Azazel777

but if you get caught out you are sure to be kicked out if your landlord has an issue with it...especially if the advertisement in which you found the house states a no pet policy...which the greater deal of them do in this country. if you were caught out you would be breaking a tenancy agreement and likely asked to leave me thinks. easier to be honest about it or following that do what i did and automatically cross out any listings which are advertised with a no pet policy

Why would you kick out a responsible rent paying, trouble free tenant over some snakes? It wouldnt make any sense. They are more likely to leave you alone so long as your not causing trouble. No landlord wants their property to be vacant. It means they are losing money which is bad business practice. The only real reason to worry would be if they wanted you out for some other reason in which case they are looking for a reason to evict you. They will find one eventually whether its reptile related or not.

[Cookie1979]

I had the same problem when i was renting not everyone was happy about it.

The place i eventually moved into doesnt know i have my snakes in the apartment and by law they have to give me 48 hours notice before enterting the property i dont worry as i can move them if need be.

I tried to explain that snakes are like having a bowl of fish, they dont make a mess and are not the type of pet that will damage property/furnishings.

ITs just ignorance on some peoples parts thinking a snake is an evil slimy horrible creature.

[Spikebrit]

just make sure you read the contract and dont mention it when you lok around the house. My contract says no pets that will cause damage to the property there for i havnt declared my collection lol. The other thing is to make sure if they do ask that you state u have a few exotic reptiles that are kept in locked tanks where they cant excape, dont smell etc.

Once landlords find that out most arnt too bothered.

Jay

[boabloketony]

I rang a local estate agents after taking your comments on board and decided to be honest and asked them to show me properties that allow pets I told them that I keep reptiles etc and they said they'd never come across this as a problem (I'm assuming because alot of people wouldn't even bring it up and maybe hide them for inspections? lol), they said they'd look into it for me ... well they just rang me back with one property that allows pets but did say that the ones that don't allow pets is mainly refering to dogs and cats that can cause damage to the properties so asked me to view ones that I'm interested in and they'd fight my corner about allowing me to keep reptiles as I'd explained that the vivs all have locks on and there would be no damage to the house due to the reptiles.

I'm happy with the response, it did take some explaining and 2 very long phone calls but the manager of the estate agents had to be informed and had to make the final decision.

So first step is to arrange viewings for the homes I'm interested in and they'll convince the landlord/lady that the reps are not going to cause any hassle !!!

Thanks to everyone that's contributed to my thread, honesty seemed to be the best policy (but I will confirm this once I have my own rented property)

[bradhollands999]

If they don't ask what pets you've got then don't say. If they ask you what pets you've got say reptiles and then when they ask what reptiles then just say a few tortoises!! No one thinks anything different of them!!