Help! What's the worst a real estate can do if we keep a cat on a rental property without permission? (Aust)

Question

Hi all,
My partner and I live with our 1yr old female russian blue cat. We currently rent, and are not interested in buying. We have lived together in a townhouse for two years, with a perfect rental record, and have stable incomes.

NOW- here's the problem.

The owner has decided he wants to move back in to our current rental property. With only 6wks left, we have been searching in our local area for rental places & have so far been knocked back on 10 applications for no other reason than we own a cat. We are starting to get desperate now, as in 6wks we will be homeless.

Up until this point we have been completely honest and always listed our cat's details on the application forms however with the response we have gotten thus far, we think perhaps NOT telling about the cat would be a better idea.
I've heard many things can happen, from nothing at all to being kicked out and blacklisted. Does anyone know where I can find actual info? Or do you know youself?

Thanks v much!

Answer 1

Honestly, as a dedicated owner of 2 kitty cats that have lived in 3 different apartments, I have always applied for the apartment without letting them know about the cat. THEN after they really like me and know I'm going to be a good tenant, I mention to the landlord right when I'm ready to sign the lease that I have old trained kittycats that are used to living in apartments and never go outdoors. I tell them I will be willing to pay a deposit. They have never said "no". I hope this works for you if you choose to try it. Good luck!!

Answer 2

If it states on your lease "No Pets" then they can kick you out with loss of bond within a moment's notice. You may have to go outside your local area to find a place, or is there a specific reason why you must live there? I also live in Australia, and most rentals I know of are pet friendly so long as it can be proved the pets don't cause a problem. Did you ask what the actual problem was in regard to the cat? If the problem is that the cat is inside, there are some wonderful companies that make brilliant cat enclosures. And the enclosures can be moved when you move. Has she been spayed? Some owners may get ikey at having an entire cat in their investment property. Or is it something to do with the area itself?

Answer 3

For being dishonest with the landlord you could be evicted, but since you are already going to lose your accomodations I guess that doesn't matter much. However, when you apply for a lease next time ask if the landlord or management company would be willing to accept a damage deposit from you in order to keep your cat. Offer to pay a little extra rent in order to have the cat and make sure it gets put into the lease before you sign anything. Sometimes landlords will make an exception for really good prospective tenants. Good Luck to all of you.
LL

Answer 4

I probally know the response that will eventually come around,and you may think I'm a cruel animal hating A$$hole to say this,but don't get me wrong,because I happen to respect animals more than that.As a matter of fact,I once owned quite a few different types of animals,even ones that scared the "Piss and Vinegar" out of my own mother or some of the girlfriends I'd try to bring in for a few hours,but alas they took a look at my snakes,spiders,scorpions,lizards,and then they'd run for the hills never to be heard from again,even though some of the pets I never even took out of the cages saying stupid things like "Meet my other side of the family." or "What would you like to eat tonight.,Ect."Anyways excuse me for straying a bit off the question,so I'll just say this.You've got different options of what to do,but it would be better that You have a home than a cat,at least for a short while,until you can manage to find a place that doesn't mind having animals around in the home you rent from.(1)You can ask if any of your family or friends wouldn't mind keeping your pet for awhile,until you can find a place like that which I described.(2)You can take the cat to one of the Adopt-A-Pet places,especially if you care about the cat,and keeping your place for right now at the same time.(3)Move to a state,that you know where there are places that allow pets in the home without worrying about being hasseled with this type of matter.(4)If you have already signed a paper that has permission to keep the cat,as well as yourselves,within this place you are currently living in,and the owner isn't keeping his end of the bargain with what both parties agreed to before,when the lease was signed,then you could possiblly even bring a lawyer in on this to consult the issues at hand and time being,only if you can provide the proof that is signed and sealed by yourselves,and that particular owner.Because if it just about trying to hussel and hassel you before the lease is up,then you could ask a lawyer if anything can be done,if not to also help you maybe find a place to live afterwards,so as to not be discriminated against on these matters.But in truth,I know this will be hard for you,and some sacrifices may have to be made in this matter.But keep also in mind,which is more important for things to work for you.A House,or A Cat?I know if it were myself,I'd put my odds on a place to live first and foremost,over "Garfield,Shadow,Tiger,or whatever the hell the cat's name may or might be",even if it may look or sound cruel to most.But I guess that's where we as people start to also feel what is the most reasonable things to do,to make things work for all parties involved.But all I can say for right now is choose wisely in this matter,then do what you know already has to be done.

Answer 5

for breaking contract (which is what you would be doing), you can lose your deposit, they can kick you out with very little notice and you could be blacklisted depending on the agency.
they can also charge you for any damage or cleaning of property that they think or say might have been caused by the cat.




.

Answer 6

You can be evicted, ABSOLUTELY. Don't lie on your applications; but ask up front if they take pets and what is the pet deposit. It is hard to find rentals that take pets, just keep looking. Again, make it the first question you ask.

Answer 7

You can be evicted, lose your security deposit, and be charged for any damage the land lord thinks was caused by the cat.

Answer 8

See my answer in your other question.