Renting and Pets

[triggerhappy]

So I'm in the process of looking for a new flat and I've seen a few I like. Problem is that I have a cat and as far as I'm aware most landlords aren't really keen on pets.

I'm pretty sure I've asked about this before, but I'm damned if I can find it. So, do you live in rented accomodation with a pet? Does your landlord know about it? How much shit am I likely to be in if I just don't mention the cat and then get busted for it?

[unkle markus]

Just don't mention it and if for some reason the landlord has to come round ever(24hr notice in most cases) you kill your cat and eat it*

*or get someone else to look after it or hide it in another room.

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by unkle markus

*or get someone else to look after

*volunteers

Some places advertise as being pet friendly. Not sure if that would end up with you paying more though.

[Draven]

Your landlord will likely have something about pets in the tenancy, so if they find out, you've just invalidated the tenancy and your out on your arse. Plus younger animals tend to damage walls/furniture, so it's a bit shaky tbh.

[tiger62]

Rented for 2 years and only time i saw landlord was when roof almost caved in.
Saying that i asked and he didnt mind me getting 2 cats even gave me a letter for the Cat & dog home!!

Although flat before that we just thought fuck it, faked a letter and went and got a dog!

[triggerhappy]

Originally Posted by Hammer

*volunteers

Some places advertise as being pet friendly. Not sure if that would end up with you paying more though.

They seem to be few and far between. I'll take you up on that offer if I do find a flat by the way!

I'm sure someone else said just to lie and then hide kitty when landlord comes round, anyone actually done this? Did you get away with it?

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by triggerhappy

They seem to be few and far between. I'll take you up on that offer if I do find a flat by the way!

I'm sure someone else said just to lie and then hide kitty when landlord comes rounds, anyone actually done this? Did you get away with it?

Any time I kittys, but never get to see them because Emma is allergic and my Mum's one is a snooty git and doesn't like me.

I've heard stories about people managing to hide extra flatmates in flats so it can't be that hard

Just have to remember to get the litter tray, dishes, toys and food in a box somewhere and use plenty of Fabreez/air freshener/incense.

[Exit_W0unds]

Originally Posted by triggerhappy

I'm sure someone else said just to lie and then hide kitty when landlord comes rounds, anyone actually done this? Did you get away with it?

yes and yes. although I'm with the local housing association but didn't get permission for either of my two. Granted I've only had a housing official around here twice in about five years of tennancy.

[fallen_nemesis]

Harvey and co. have some pet friendly places. It was a bit odd, our flat was a case of small animals allowed if you already owned them. You weren't allowed to get pets other than bloody fish otherwise, and the woman in the office was adamant it was no pets till I reminded her what it was advertised as and she went to check the small print.

So yeah, in my experience I'd say letting agencies have some properties on their books that allow pets, but it'll probably limit your choices considerably.

Private landlords seem to depend on the individual and it's worth mentioning beforehand to them.

[Goth_pixie]

Unfurnished flats are more likely to allow pets, from my experience, probably because it's your own stuff the little monster would destroy.

We rent an unfurnished flat from Newton Letting, and it's reasonably priced and in a great location, and they're fine about the cats. Before that, when Dave and I were in the W'End, we just said we were looking after them for a friend who was on holiday, and that was fine.

[LesMTS]

Originally Posted by triggerhappy

I'm sure someone else said just to lie and then hide kitty when landlord comes round, anyone actually done this? Did you get away with it?

Yeah, I've done this before. With two cats.
To be honest, though, I don't think most places care too much as long as you're keeping the place clean. It's just a standard clause, I think. I've known loads of people who've kept pets in rented accomodation and I've never heard of anyone getting shit for it.

[Sakura-Miyagi]

If the landlord or letting agent don't advertise the property as "pet friendly" etc Have a chat with them and say you have a cat. When I moved into my old flat they weren't too keen to agree to the cat however I signed a waiver saying that I would pay for any damage. It tends to appease them if you are willing to sign a waiver.

[Crystal Mighty]

I'm looking into getting a wee old doggy, and I'm just about to phone up my letting agents about this (who then need to email my landlords blaaaah) would it be worth it to offer to add on an extra couple hundred quid onto the deposit?

[Hevs]

I just moved into my new house this week and we asked the landlord up front if they were ok with our cats and they were fine about it. It does stipulate in my tenancy agreement that any breach of my tenancy rules results in eviction with 2 weeks notice and my house is very well maintained and in immaculate condition(so no parties then ) so I would not have fancied my chances if I had not advised them beforehand and they happened to find out.

Most landlords are perfectly ok with cats to be fair, so long as you don't have a house full of them and they don't piss all over the carpets. My last landlord was fine with them too.

[Elfaba]

it is always worth mentioning to them, if you do decide to tell them that the animals are fully housebroken and offer to have the carpets professionally cleaned when you move out (just borrow someones carpet cleaner though lol)