Installing a dog door in a rental property

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Hi, We're about to move to a rental property in Zurich and would like to install a dog door. Does anyone have experience with this or recommend any tradespeople?

2
If it’s a rental property the first thing to do is to see if you can get permission from the owner.

3
Generally I have gone with the motto, if you want to do something small like that, it is ok, as long as you put it back to the origional condition it was when you first rented the property, when you leave. I guess a dog door is like a cat flap, so you would need to replace the door, when you leave. Must be a small dog, or large door!

4
Just a thought.

You might want to buy another door (cheap and nasty or second hand?) and cut that one up as required to install the dog door. You just need to transfer the door handle/lock and possibly the hinges.

Then when you move, take the original door out of storage (where you kept it clean and dry etc.), remount it and swap over the door handle/lock.

This avoids the drama and possible cost when the owner says that he does not like the new door you are proposing etc. etc.

5
First step check with the owner that they are cool with it, if they are worst case is they may insist on the door being replaced when you go.

I could do it for you but am not back in CH until the end of August, you can PM me about it if you want.

6
Depending on the door, if it is not made up of one piece of glass, but several, then you may have the option of removing one pane of glass and replacing it with one fitted with the dog door. This is done when people have airconditioning that needs to be vented outside.

But as you rent, you really do need to ask permission first to modify the door. If you go with the "I will just to do it and put it back the way it was when I leave" this may not sit well with the landlord and could sour the relationship.

It is not just about whether you are willing to pay for the change.

Of course had you asked for permission to install the dog door as a condition of the rental, you would have known how things stand.

Hope you find a good solution.

7
As well as checking permissions, consider the security implications. These can be used as a means of access for intruders.

Even if they don't physically gain access through this, they may be able to reach keys.

8
There is one other thing you might try. Purchase a screen door and install the dog door in it. This has the advantage of keeping the bugs out as well.

We had a quote from CEBO for this item, including a dog door by dog mate but we felt the opening was going to be too small for our dogs but any larger the mesh would just be unstable.

So instead we decided to go with Morisibari, as in the photo below. It took a bit of getting used to but now the dogs don't mind them at all. We leave the door open only when we are home.

Dog doors have always made me nervous after my friend told me how she had a "visitor" who got into the house through the dog door and when she arrived home she found him and her dog on her dining room table.

9
How do you go about putting a dog flap for a large dog in a door with double glazing?