Landlords amenable to pets?

Hello All,
I'm new to your site and hopefully posting in the correct area...we are considering moving to London in the next few months, and I have a pretty specific question:

How easy or difficult was it for you to find a rental home that permitted pets?  We think we'll probably look in Richmond and Putney for a 3 or 4 bedroom set-up.  Is the UK rental market pet-friendly?  Will we have to put down a zillion dollar damage deposit?  Does anyone have experience or opinions to share?

Thank you!

When we met with estate agents we told them right up front that we had a dog.  That helped them so that they only showed up property that accepted a pet.  We didn't have to pay any extra deposit, but that probably depends on the individual landlord.

Stephanie

.... We think we'll probably look in Richmond and Putney for a 3 or 4 bedroom set-up. ....

That's a fancy part of London to be living and you may be less likely to find landlords willing to tolerate pets than elsewhere.  Do you realise that you can probably expect to pay a minimum of $4,000 a month for three/ four bedroom rentals in that part of London?  .... Or are you on a corporate relocation deal?

Well, we probably will be on a corporate relo...but who knows how much pain we'll be able to stand in terms of rental prices!!  We'd be coming from San Francisco (not exactly the land of cheap living), but we're still expecting to be shocked.  Thank you for the info.
Jamie

Hello all. I am in the research/ planning stages of a move to the UK and I have 2 cats that I plan to bring with me. I am interested in living in Manchester. I have found some gorgeous flats online and am wondering if I will be able to rent a nice flat with my cats. I have no objection to keeping the kitties a secret but what are the possibilities for me if the landlord/letting agent finds out that I have them- can I be evicted?. Here, in the US, your landlord can come to your flat as long as they give you notice-is this true in the UK as well?? I am imagining having to stash my cats and all of their stuff somewhere while the landlord is "visiting". Thanks in advance for any info.

Hello all. I am in the research/ planning stages of a move to the UK and I have 2 cats that I plan to bring with me. I am interested in living in Manchester. I have found some gorgeous flats online and am wondering if I will be able to rent a nice flat with my cats. I have no objection to keeping the kitties a secret but what are the possibilities for me if the landlord/letting agent finds out that I have them- can I be evicted?. Here, in the US, your landlord can come to your flat as long as they give you notice-is this true in the UK as well?? I am imagining having to stash my cats and all of their stuff somewhere while the landlord is "visiting". Thanks in advance for any info.

Our letting agency comes to inspect our house every four months (per their agreement with the homeowner).  In our last flat, we were never inspected (it was brand new, so maybe they thought it would stay in good shape?). 

When we were looking for a house, we didn't have a dog, but we wanted to get one, so we had a clause written into our lease allowing a small dog.  The homeowner and leasing agency had no problem with that and all we have to do is have the carpets cleaned before we leave (which we'd do anyway).

I personally wouldn't really recommend lying about pets....in my mind, you just never know what could happen.  If there's some sort of emergency and the landlord needs to get in and finds a couple of cats...well, you'd be in trouble.  Besides, I've found that there are far more options for cat owners than dog owners -- more properties will allow a cat (possibly two) than will allow a dog.