should i get a cat even though my landlord does not allow pets?

Question

I need written permission and if she does agree i think i have to pay a large deposit, also when it comes to inspections i would have to pretend i was looking after the cat which they may not believe....i would love to have a cat but am torn about whether i should or not. some advice??

Answer 1

If you get permission from your landlord, you don't have to pretend that you are looking after a cat. If you pretend it belongs to someone else and they find out about it, they can take you to court and ask for a deposit plus also evict you. If I were you, I would go with the high deposit.

Answer 2

I have rented several places over the years with 2 cats & a dog. Providing yyou have someone who will look after your cat on inspection days, you can get away with it.

Firstly, does your landlord live near your property. If he doesn't don't panic too much about him seeing the cat and as you said, just say you are looking after someones cat for a day...

Second your landlord needs to give you a minimum 24 hours warning to inspect your flat or even come in.

The other point is, in your tenancy agreement, it is normal to have a clause that says no pets, this is what the letting agents advise landlords to do. However, sometimes just asking the landlord may work but it is a risk...The landlord doesn't write your tenancy agrement, the letting agent does.

Of course there is the other question, is your place a suitable environment for a cat?

If you want my advice, I would get the cat, however talking from experience it does get very tiring having to hide your loving cat every time you get a visit. After so many years I am now in a house where I am aloud pets and it really does make life easier. I asked myy landlady and then she contacted the letting agent to change the clause in the agreement. I hope some of this has helped yyour decision. Good luck

Answer 3

As a landlord myself I would advise that you speak with your landlady - she will probably be fine about it as cats are generally easy to keep and spend a lot of time out doors.... the deposit is to cover damage the cat may or may not do due to finding most things good alternatives to scratching posts! (take photos of the interior of your place in advance of getting your pet)..... your first steps should be to contact her, agree the deposit, find a cat you like, buy a dirt tray - and then make efforts to keep the tray cleaned every day and the house hoovered regularly as all animals moult...
Unless you get an already adult cat, the likelihood of a kitten just 'straying' into your house would be unlikely - your landlady then, however sympathetic and understanding she might generally be, would be extremely upset to find a tenant lying to her .... this could cause problems for future situations where you would look for her support and not get it because you broke her trust..... honesty is always the best policy.

Answer 4

Speaking as a landlord, dont do it without the permission of your landlord. You have obviously signed a legal and binding lease and it will only cause problems. Landlords are often governed by the lease on the property they own too, so it probably wont be just you in trouble. We dont say "no pets" just to be awkward - we're honour bound by our lease as owners too, and if its an apartment we're in trouble with the management company! Also, cats can do a lot of damage to carpets and furniture if you're in a furnished or part furnished property and it can be a costly exercise. Do it the honest way and you wont be living on your nerves in case you are found out.

Answer 5

Talk to your landlord and do it the honest way, or find a place where you can have the pet. It is not worth being dishonest. You can try and hide it all you want but chances are your landlord will find out. I used to be able to tell, there are ways to find out. A search with a black light always shows where an animal has messed or vomitted even when you have cleaned it up.

Answer 6

NO. Are you crazy?!

If you want a cat so bad move to a place where you can have cats! Why risk being evicted for a cat?

Rent a basement, rent a room or find a place w/ a lower pet deposit but don't chance getting evicted.

Answer 7

You've got a mean mean landlord....in some areas in the UK no cats or dogs are allowed and animal droppings is a falacy. In some council estates...one cat is permitted for company or one dog for company and guard dog. A year or two ago it was on TV that a council tenant had more than twenty cats in her living room. The council officer told her to get rid of them or be evicted. It's a tough decision in your case but if it were me I would get a couple of dummy cats....just for spite.

Answer 8

I have had a cat in my home for about a year now and I was supposed to pay a 150 dollar deposit for animals but who is going to pay that for an animal. We trained the cat not to scatch the walls and anything else that was in here before we moved here. we havent had any problems so far.

Answer 9

I have been torn like that too, but it is not worth the risk. You can not predict your cats behavior and anything could go wrong. It could start spraying, etc. And if your landlord did find out, there could be some major issues

Answer 10

We managed to keep a jack Russel puppy in out rented house for a whole year before we were found out and only then it was because of our nasty next door neighbour. A cat can't do much damage, my sister had a cat in a rented house and all they had to do was to get the carpets professionally cleaned when they left. I'd ask rather than risk it.