Should I take in kittens in my rental townhouse when the lease says not to have pets?

Question

The reason I ask is because there are a number of neighbors with cats and they are aware we aren't supposed to have pets (fish are ok) and the landlord really hasn't done anything about that. In addition, my whole life I have had cats & have had them fixed so they won't spray. Never have they ruined any part of the house (although my 1st cat wasn't declawed and he used to use the furniture to sharpen them)! What kind of trouble would I be in if I took in cats? I have lived in this rental for 4 years now.

Answer 1

I think you really need to think long and hard about this. Owning a pet is a big responsibility and a life-long commitment. These kittens deserve a home for life. Don't take these cats if you would later turn around and get rid of them because your landlord would kick you out otherwise. Personally, I would move in a heartbeat over giving up my babies, but are YOU willing to do that? If you are, then I say go for it. If not, however, you probaby are not ready for such a commitment. It's also a big risk. Your landlord could evict you and he may be entitled to damages for you violating his lease. If you've lived there for 4 years, does the landlord make you sign a new lease every year? If not, then you are a month-to-month tenant and maybe you could get away with violating the terms of the original lease. It's still a risk you need to be certain you are willing to take. If I were going to do it, I'd stick to one cat. It's easier to hide a single kitty. And please don't declaw your cat. It's cruel. Cat trees work great at keeping your cats claws off the furniture.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Ask your landlord if you can give a pet deposit or something. If you've been a good tenant for 4 years s/he might be willing to let you have a pet. The landlord might currently be clueless to the number of cats in the building, or maybe s/he is looking the other way because the situation hasn't gotten out of hand. But if the lease says no pets, your landlord does have the right to make you get rid of animals at any time. It would be a shame to get attached to a pet only to be forced to get rid of it.

Answer 4

Don't run the risk of being kicked out. Go to your landlord and offer him a "pet deposit" to cover the cost of any additional damage that your pet may cause. Let him know that your cat will remain indoors and will not mess up the landscape. Try for a one-time deposit of $100 to be added to your security deposit. Your landlord may want to raise your rent, so be prepared to negotiate.

If he agrees, be sure to get something in writing from him saying that you can have a cat. If it's not in writing, then he'll still be able to kick you out for breaking the lease. Also, pay the pet deposit by check or money order and keep the canceled check or receipt.

Answer 5

I live in an apartment and have been thinking about doing the same thing. My uncle owns some apartments/townhouses somehwere else so I asked him about it. He said it would be bad idea because it gives the landlord a reason to kick you out any time he/she wants, plus if the cat does tear something up, you're going to have to pay probably more than it actually costs to fix it. I know a few people who have dogs and cats here though, so I guess if you want to take the risk and you know your animals well it would be alright.

Answer 6

that would be breaking your lease. generally speaking, cat's don't piss landlords off all that much unless they have special disdain for the animal. However, after taking in a cat against your lease, if the landlord sees any other problem with you, you've already broken the lease, so he could boot you out the door. If there are kittens that need a home, or something noble as such, then perhaps the best thing to do would be call the landlord and ask if it would be ok with him if you helped them out until you found them other homes.

Answer 7

If the landlord hasn't done anything and he finds out that you are bringing in kittens, he might start enforcing the rule or that these people were grandfathered in before the rule came into place.
I suggest not getting them and wait till you move out of there to an apartment that will allow you to have pets.
When there is a rule that says no pets, it means no pets. Sorry but you need to follow the rules or you might end up losing the place.

Answer 8

I wasn't allowed to have cats either but made an agreement with my landlord that if I gave him an extra $25.00 month as a pet deposit could I have one and he said yes. So, for the last 3 years he has made an extra $25.00 which will more than cover any damages the cat would make (if it did) . Try offering your landlord a pet deposit - better than getting kicked out if he would find you are keeping a cat.

Answer 9

You know it's a lease violation but who cares? You've been there 4 years as you say. So I think having a tenant that pays rent is more important than worrying about a couple cats! Cats don't hurt the property of a landlord like a dog might. They use litter boxes and are more cleaner. I wouldn't let it bother you!

Answer 10

If your neighbors are flouting the "no pets" rule and nothing seems to happen to them, then I don't see why you can't take your kittens to live with you. The worse than can happen is your landlord finds out and decides to "crackdown" on the rule flouters and give all of you 30-day notice to vacate unless you rectify the problem by getting rid of your pets. But seriously, if all your neighbors have cats, how likely is it that your landlird will kick ALL of you out? Wouldn't that be cutting off his nose to spite his face? I think what your landlord will do if he indeed decides to "crackdown" is ask ALL of you for pet deposit (hee hee hee). At anyrate, just be aware that legally, the landlord can give you notice to quit if you flout his no-pet rule. I don't know about you, but I would rather move out than give up my darlingest darling babies!