Pets - what is reasonable?

Pets - so cute. So companionable. Protect the property. 

What could go wrong? In short: damage, stress, cost, legal action.
Your local papers will probably supply several stories about damage caused by squirrels, pigeons and invading or escaping animals, pets, birds, even fish.

In Florida snakes and alligators, so cute when they are the size of a little lizard in your hand. However, large snakes are not the least but funny when they fill the bath, block the bedroom door, or grow big enough to break the cage and slither out over the telephone wire.

1 Pets make a noise and disturb neighbours. Dogs bark. Cats run into other people's homes and frighten them. 
2 Pet bites postman who refuses to deliver post.
3 Pet not house trained and leaves smell in house on carpets or furnishings.
4 Pet does poo in garden endangering other residents.
5 Pet as guard dog prevents landlord entering or workers servicing appliances and doing gas and safety checks.

6 Pets frighten away prospective tenants coming for viewings.
7 Scratches on walls, paintwork, furnishings.
8 Stains on furniture.
9 Animals can attract predators.
10 Escaped rodents can eat wiring and start fires.

 (My friends' house was damaged by fire from hibernating tortoises. Their possessions were covered in smoke damage. Plus water damage from firefighting. They had to move out into temporary accommodation. They later divorced, which may or may not have been connected.)

11 Escaped animals cause damage or accidents to cars in car parks.
12 Tenant feuds start.
13 Building management changes and new management company bans pets during the tenancy.
14 Pets in so-called safe cages and fish tanks are dangerous piranhas or crocodiles, small snakes which grow huge, pairs which breed, the rescue dog or cat multiplies to 6 or 13, a viper has 21 other snakes and goes missing. Other tenants move out causing loss of income or claims against you.

15 Pets breathe out moisture increasing mould in the property.

16 Pets can knock over candles. Or incense. The owner might claim that they do not use candles. Sub-tenants might not know or forget. The cat could go into a neighbouring flat which has candles or incense. 

17 Pets can chew cables - rats ate wiring of a dishwasher in Hendon. Rats ate wriing under the bonnet of our car in Hatch End.

Insurance

Can you get third party insurance for damage by pets? Probably you should get the tenants to take out insurance and give you their policy number. (If your tenant was bitten by their own snake and died owing you rent, who could you claim on?)

Cleaning

1 The landlord might wish to add a clause that the property must be professionally cleaned at their expense when the tenanaat vacates the property, 

2 Or professionally cleaned (carpets, curtains, soft furnigh and work surfaces) annually. 

Permission

The landlord or management company might reserve the right to withdraw the perisson if

a) any other tenant complains

If the management company or landowners' agreement with the primary tenant (the owner landlord) forbids pets and requries the landlord -tenant to pass this on to the sub-tenant (renting the flat from the owner).

Pets Welcome - advantages
1 Tenants unable to rent elsewhere may choose your property.
2 Tenants who are animal lovers may see you as an animal friendly, reliable, trustworthy person.

3 Cats may reduce or eliminate mice and rats.