Finding Pet-Friendly Rentals in Ireland

Looking to move to a new rental property with your cat or dog? Read our helpful guide for advice on how to find pet-friendly rentals in Ireland.

It’s difficult to find pet-friendly rentals.

Whether you are renting a house or apartment, it is important to find the home that best suits your needs. This often means having to search for a property that will allow you to have pets. Pet owners are forced to live in unsuitable properties or keep their pets without consent from their landlord, risking eviction.

Landlords and tenants should be honest with each other. The relationship is built on trust and honesty. It’s important to stay open about the situation from day one of renting.

Pets are an important part of many households. Here are HomeHak’s top guidelines and tips to make the process easier when looking to rent a home with your pet in tow!

Having a pet can give you an edge in the home renting competition.

With so many people applying to rent homes, it can be difficult to stand out from the multitude of other applications on the letting agents desk. Having a pet presents a practical opportunity to demonstrate how responsible you will be as a tenant. If you go about it in the right way, there’s a better chance you will encourage landlords and letting agencies to allow you to rent with your pet. Think about how your pet can help you can stand out from the crowd; Include a pet-CV with your application and an eye-catching photo of your furry friend

References are important for humans, and yet they are often presented as an after-thought and the end of the renting process. Imagine how impressed a landlord or agent will be when your pooch romps up with verifiable pet references from professionals like its vet, previous landlords and neighbours at its old address.

Be organised with your home-search process

If you’re looking to find a pet-friendly rental home, there are some steps that can make the process easier.

Plan ahead. Searching for a pet-friendly property can take more time than the usual house-hunting process. Give yourself plenty of time to find what you want without rushing things – this will help avoid disappointment down the line! In addition, when you have a pet in tow, you need to have your new property available before you must move out of your current home as finding temporary accommodation with a pet is frustratingly hard, and expensive.

Check the pet policies of each property you’re interested in before attending a viewing. Speak with or email the landlord or letting agent and check if pets like yours are allowed before viewing any properties. Maybe dogs are allowed if they’re below a certain size.

Be open-minded about the location or size of the property you are searching for. City centre living might be on your wish list, but it typically means smaller properties and less room for your furry friend to exercise. Pet-friendly properties in popular locations with lots of amenities will typically be more expensive. Pet-friendly homes in suburbs may provide a better value for money overall, including cheaper rent prices and fewer pet restrictions. The downside of suburbia though could be longer commute times and more time for your pet to be on its own, which isn’t ideal.

Be proactive and spread the word. Rather than just search endless property ads for the rare mention of “pets allowed” or “pets considered”, take the initiative with your home search. Post your need for a pet-friendly home on your social media pages and message boards. Let your friends look with you in their own networks. Make sure to share and post the link to your tenant CV with your pet-cv section prominently displayed so people with solutions can get in touch.

How to secure the ideal pet-friendly property when you find one

Pet-friendly properties are often limited in supply, so it’s important to have your plan for securing it primed well in advance of when one becomes available.

Collate information about your pet in advance so you are prepared.

Pet-friendly properties will often have a pet section on the application form. In these properties, you can be sure every applicant will put their best foot/paw forward and so it’s important to include as much information about your pet that you can.

Have your Pet CV ready for when pet-friendly rental properties are presented

When pets are not mentioned on the property ad, but you love the property, it’s worth checking whether the landlord will consider you and your pet. Rather than just ask the question and inviting an easy “No”, make a polite request by including an impressive Pet-CV with your enquiry. It may cause them to pause and consider inviting you for a property viewing.

Presenting a well-organised tenant cv is a must if you want to impress landlords or agents. Moreover, when you want to encourage them to allow your pet to stay, include a section for your Pet’s CV.

Pet CVs should describe what type of animal they are, where they live now and how long you’ve had them.

Provide any relevant medical history and vaccination records as well as confirmation about micro-chipping and relevant licenses.

Tell the story of your pet and communicate a little about your pet’s personality, their good behaviour, any training they have had.

Of course, you should include a picture of your pet, on its own or with you.

It all comes back to showing trustworthiness

You need the Landlord or agent to like your pet and soften any pre-conceived concerns they might have about potential issues with noise, fouling, or damage to people or property.

It’s very valuable to include verifiable references for your pet. If you have previous landlords who will vouch for the good behaviour of your pet as well as a vet, neighbours or the dog-kennel, make sure to include written references from all of them. Don’t be overwhelmed by the thought of securing such references as the process has been streamlined by HomeHak.com.

Introduce your dog or pet to any potential landlords

Introducing your pet at the first opportunity can immediately put any landlord’s mind at ease and dispel their fears. Bring them along for a property viewing so they can see how well behaved it is, but be mindful of other animals that may not want a trip in a carrier!

Offer to pay for a professional cleaning at the end of the tenancy.

You have a responsibility to look after a property that you rent. Over the course of time carpets, soft furnishings or walls can get extra grubby after muddy paws or stains from little accidents! In some cases, allergens can be an issue for future tenants who are not comfortable with pets, making the property harder to rent or sell. Check if you can fund your landlords extra cleaning services when it is time to move out. You can offer to agree or pay these costs upfront instead of waiting until the end of the tenancy.

Offer to pay a special deposit for damages caused by your pet

To assure your landlord that you’re a responsible pet owner, offer to pay an additional deposit for pets. Even the best cat or dog can get up to mischief and it’s as well to acknowledge the possibility by agreeing on a special damages deposit upfront.

Some tips for moving into your new pet-friendly rental home

Moving into a new home is exciting. Moreover, it is easy to get caught up in the euphoria. However take stock of a few important things before moving day.

Check your lease for all mention of pets. Also, ensure you are comfortable that it reflects everything you agreed in relation to your pets. Don’t be afraid to mention any omissions or mistakes. A good landlord or agent will be just as keen as you to have everything contractually in good shape before the move-in date.
Additionally, ensure the contract agrees the amount for special cleaning or pet damage deposit.
Moving day can be one of the most stressful days for humans. Having to pack and clean. Additionally, the stress for our pets that are going through a big life change. The day will arrive when you’re getting ready to move house with your dog in tow. Take steps now to make it as stress-free as possible! Consider asking friends or family if they would mind taking care of your pet while you get all packed up.

Honesty is the best policy

To have a successful landlord/tenant relationship, one must be honest about their pet. Be open and upfront with your prospective landlord or property agent. Assure them that you won’t break any trust by sneaking in a pet without permission. Show them you take responsibility for your best friend. You do not want the tenancy agreement terminated due to unauthorized pets. You may not have an opportunity to live at this location ever again!

On the other hand, do good preparation and take a proactive approach. This way you can be more assured of finding pet-friendly rental accommodation to suit the whole family. Circumstances will change and you might decide to move home in future. A good relationship with your landlord or agent will auger well for good references on your tenant cv.

For more information about the regulations around private rented accommodation with a pet in Ireland, take a look at this guide from Threshold.

Key Takeaways

When looking for pet-friendly rentals with your pet, there are a number of steps you can take:

Being open and upfront about your pet in advance when enquiring or before signing any tenancy agreement
Keeping your pets in accordance with all rules set out in agreements such as not allowing animals on furniture
House training, (i.e., providing sufficient litter trays)
Taking care not to disturb neighbours during odd working hours.

November 6, 2021September 7, 2022

Renting in Ireland – What is the tenant’s true cost?

Renting in Ireland – What is the tenant’s true cost?

Name: HomeHak
Price range: $

The price of rent can represent the tip of the iceberg when renting in Ireland. From utilities and furniture to Netflix subscriptions and bin charges, we have you covered with everything you need to appropriately budget your first few months in your new home.

Before you can start your new life in your new home you must first identify and secure your desired apartment or house against high demand, with vacancy rates tipping at just 1.31% across Ireland (Savills Ireland., Shifting Ownership in Ireland’s Private Rented Sector., 2017). Rental properties can receive thousands of views once posted on rental sites and you will need to brace yourself amongst the wave of applications you will be sidling alongside.

1. Rent

First and foremost, and most costly, will be your monthly rent to be paid in advance of each month. The considerable cost of renting in Ireland is no secret with a National Rent Index recognizing the standardized average rent as €1,122 in 2018, an increase of 7.5% on the previous year (Residential Tenancies Board., Rent Index., 2018). This will no doubt represent the most pivotal variable in your ability to live independently.

2. Deposit

In addition to your first month’s rent, you will have a sizably additional cost in your deposit. This is taken as collateral by the landlord for any potential costs they will need to suffer that we cover in our Guide to Deposits. Your deposit typically reflects one month’s rent and will not be returned until you leave the premises, contract fulfilled.

3. Moving

All your bags are packed, you’re on your way as John Denver once said, but he failed to mention the back and forth trips on moving day, ferrying a seemingly endless amount of possessions, clothes, jigsaws, and any other rainy day items. GoCar provides excellent prices on cars and vans ideal for such an occasion.

No matter the mode, persistent ‘one final car-full’ trips will take their toll on your petrol. Be careful you don’t blow the deposit on day one with any reckless transportation of big bulky items with sharp edges that can dent your new home’s walls and its deposit!

For A Faster, Easier And Less Stressful Move check out this article!

4. Furniture

If you manage to keep the leg of the chair away from the walls on move-in day, you may be lucky enough to complete the entire set without so much as a mark incurred.

While most accommodations will come fully furnished, you will quickly discover a table and four chairs may not suffice. Bed stands, dressing tables, armoires, bureaus, coffers, and davenports, may not be at the very top of your list, but every trinket needs somewhere to rest upon.

Due in no small part to their affordable value and effectively Swedish flat-pack features, Ikea is a renter’s best friend. While its home just off the m50 is a forestry of flat-pack furniture, there will be many local providers and charity shops. Or you could peruse Donedeal for an opportune bargain, with an hour’s sanding and painting to transform any antique.

5. Food

You will quickly find that your food costs are particularly flexible. Weekly shops can cost as low as €30 with stringent restraint, but they can also soar considerably higher without careful monitoring. Your first step in reducing your shopping bill requires ditching the costly takeaway and cooking your own meals.

Aldi and Lidl are the unequivocal champions of value while the other end of the spectrum will find significantly higher prices in Marks & Spencers or boutique groceries. Jalapeno Peppers can be sought for less than euro in certain more palatable retailers or rising to a far spicier €7 for example.

6. Renting in Ireland Utilities

Four walls by themselves will not do much in terms of keeping the heat in. Aside from brief weeks of summer bliss, our other three seasons prove the need for comfortable heating and lighting. Gas and electric bills are ingrained in the Irish psyche due to generational berating with regards to a certain immersion. However, it is worth shopping around and identifying the best deal for you.

Consider other utilities like your phone, internet, and bin charges. Again, shopping around is an effective method in quelling creeping costs that can erode your pocket.

7. Entertainment

Aside from sleeping and eating, your home should primarily be used for living in! Life is to be lived beyond necessity! When budgeting, make a realistic allocation for entertainment and hobbies such as Netflix, painting supplies, videogames, or gym memberships.

While drafting your entertainment budget it would also be worthwhile to make an extensive list of low-cost or free activities that you can participate in, for further bootstrapping.

8. Transportation

Location, location, location are the three most important words when it comes to accommodation. The goldilocks zone would be located a short walk between your place of work, family, and friends. Realistically however you will be spending some amount on public transport, petrol, or most cost-efficiently a bicycle.

The more convenient the location, the higher the cost, as seen when comparing standardised average rents in Dublin (€1,620) to outside Dublin (€1,149) (Residential Tenancies Board., Rent Index., 2018). Thankfully we can ensure you that there are more places to live than just Dublin!

Cars will get you furthest fastest, but this convenience has a higher cost. Insurance, maintenance, tax, and fuel, combined with the price of parking (if no on-site parking is available), can quickly reach untenable costs.

9. Insurance

Keeping your worldly possessions kept safe and away from harm has its price. Unfortunately in Ireland the cost of insuring your home and car is considerable and rising. In the last decade alone, the average cost of motor insurance has risen by 42% (Central Bank of Ireland., Private Motor Insurance Report., 2019).

Much like utilities, shop around to obtain the best deal. Hours spent on the phone to multiple brokers and agents are grating and tiresome, but this is the price that must be paid to improve your bottom line.

10. Savings

At the end of the month, it may be difficult to categorize any of your remaining income as savings. This is a particular issue in Ireland with 1 in 10 people spending over 60% of their income on rent (Social Justice Ireland., National Social Monitor., 2019). This is why it is best to categorize your savings at the start of the month while drafting your budget. Savings should be prioritized in line with other costs no matter how tempting they are to shave and spend.

A few hundred euros each month could be deemed an immaterial amount in times of less restraint. However, month by month, your savings investment will slowly but surely build and be there for you in times of need or to finally purchase your own home so that you can bid farewell to your rent and welcome in a mortgage.

Finally…

Renting in Ireland is undoubtedly a costly endeavour. The playing field is rarely even, and any number of unseen variables can capsize even the best-made plans. However, with careful planning and foresight, you can navigate and mitigate almost all risks. Invest your own time and effort into reducing your monthly costs. This will allow for greater investment in the things you would rather capitalize upon, such as your future!

November 6, 2021September 7, 2022

Letting Agent in Ireland – The True Cost of Being One.

MoreoLetting Agent in Ireland – The True Cost of Being One.

A letting agent acts in the landlord’s best interest. You provide housing for tenants while facilitating the livable environment to turn their house into a home.

As an agent, you must tread the line of the middleman, adding value, mitigating costs, and fundamentally identifying a delicate equilibrium between obligations and profits.

Squaring out a margin sandwiched between both entities is a balancing act of efficiency. How you spend your time and resources are of critical importance to your bottom line. You are required to provide a minimum standard of care to your tenant that remains profitable within your 6.5% – 10% share of the landlord’s earnings (Estate Agents, Let.ie, 2021).

Requirements

To be a letting agent in Ireland involves a base number of costs. A seemingly endless number of license fees, brokerage fees, and of course membership fees to be paid to the Property Services Regulatory Authority including:

– €1,000 for a company, partnership or sole trader

– €100 for principal officers or employees

Overheads

As an estate agent, in order to coordinate a successful business, you must incur a number of overheads. They grow in tandem with your success and unless effectively managed can cause mounting concerns for your eroding profit margin.

Office supplies, utilities, continuing professional development, and internet charges are all par for the course. These should be carefully monitored on an annual basis.

You may be utilising project management software to rightfully monitor and maximise efficiencies. Teamwork.com (from €9 per user per month) is an excellent third-party project management software that will help you to keep on top of your copious list of actions for each and every one of your clients.

Wages

The average cost is €30,334 (payscale.com, Average Real Estate Agent Salary in Ireland, 2021) annually per estate agent. We are going to outline a number of ways that you can maximise your return on this investment.

The Interview Process

Numerous emails, attachments, and questions will be from both suitable and unsuitable applications. Demand has never been higher with reports indicating up to 25,000 units are needed annually to keep up with the demographic changes alone (Ahrens, Martinez-Cillero, O’Toole, Trends in Rental Price Inflation and the Introduction of Rent Pressure Zones in Ireland, 2019). Serious questions, therefore, need to be asked around how you filter these applicants and how long is invested in this stage? With hundreds of potential tenants to choose from, how do you know that you are getting the very best for you and the landlord?

An open house provides some opportunity to shake the hands of the hundred or so people that can show up on any one day. Fielding repetitive questions and partaking in conversations. Resulting in semi-memorable face time.

Much like when interviewing for a new employee, the interview process is the most critical factor for what the next number of months or years will look like. Your ideal tenant will provide little interaction besides their monthly rent paid on time for years to come.

However, without a rigorous examination of every applicant’s references, bank statements, proof of employment, proof of address, identification, and specific requirements, you will be throwing caution to the wind. It could end up with a couple of month’s filled with arduous issues before the property is vacant again (voluntarily or otherwise). How many of your tenants fall above the average tenancy length of 10 – 12 months (Ahrens, et al. Trends in Rental Price Inflation and the Introduction of Rent Pressure Zones in Ireland, 2019)?

Safety checks, installations, rent reviews, and pre-letting expenses are all expenses to ensure the property is in a suitable condition. The most valuable sot suffered is the letting agent’s time.

Disputes

A happy tenant is dependent on a number of factors:

How long is their commute to work?
How close by are friends and family?
Can they keep their bicycle indoors?
Can they have friends over?

A happy tenant is an engaged tenant. A tenant that will invest their time and effort into making their house a home. They might even add value to the property with painting, sanding or varnishing.

However, disputes do typically occur around the (pre-agreed) terms & conditions of said property. Arguing over damage incurred by claw marks, pet smell, parties, or carelessly manoeuvring a bicycle indoors.

Repairs & Maintenance

The vast majority of time spent on tenants is around repairs & maintenance. Happy tenants will happily complete smaller repairs and maintenance tasks. This is to save the hassle of waiting for a handyman to screw in the hinge of a press for example.

The handymans job is to focus on larger projects rather than spending time visiting multiple properties for minute-long jobs. Your tenant and their respect for their home will directly impact the property depreciation and post-letting expenses.

Marketing

The Irish letting market is awash with demand and finding any tenant will not be an issue. Finding the right tenant, however, is another thing. Property sites such as Daft.ie, Moovingo, or rent.ie (to name but a fraction) will provide you with a full inbox of applicants for costs ranging from €5 up to €2,500 (Irish Times, Selling a home is expensive, but we offer a way to cut down the costs, 2020). This marketing expense could be the tip of the wedge of time-consuming evaluating costs.

Finally…

At the end of the year, it will either be a loss, or else taxable profits. A large number of expenses can be tax-deductible for landlords. However, the most significant variables will impact your bottom line through costs. Secondly, they will also prevent you from reaching your upper revenue potential.

The time spent on managing tenants is already incurred in the interview process. That is then realised throughout their tenancy. From the influx of emails to the days spent meeting and greeting the waves of potential candidates. Moreover, these are where the most hours are sunk and the least value gained. Implement efficient sifting and prioritising from the onset. As a result, agents’ time can then be focused on analysing the select number of clients. Moreover, that tick every single box for you and the landlord in question. Allowing you to negotiate a more comfortable equilibrium. Further, nestled between a content tenant and a satisfied landlord.

References

Estate Agents., Let.ie., 2021
payscale.com, Average Real Estate Agent Salary in Ireland, 2021
Ahrens, Martinez-Cillero, O’Toole, Trends in Rental Price Inflation and the Introduction of Rent Pressure Zones in Ireland, 2019
Irish Times, Selling a home is expensive, but we offer a way to cut down the costs, 2020