Housing association doesn't allow pets

[Flowerywoman]

Hello everyone I would like some help, oak downsizing my property from a two bed to a one (I am a single 29 year old living alone in London( the property I bidded for and accepted however it does not allow pets, it did state on the advert but many do accept with permission hence why I asked during the pre tenancy sign up, the woman said I can have it as long as I agree to not have any pets, I am a vulnerable person with severe anxiety and depression and my indoor cat really helps me with that, I don't know what to do, I got my hopes up, she said it's 'a thing with all new builds now' that they simply don't allow pets, it was part of the development agreement and of course the association agreed to that. Please help any advice would be much appreciated , I struggle with these things.
Thank you

[MotherOfLittlePeople]

We are housing association tenants. If it said no pets they really won't allow pets. Ours accepted pets but only either 1 dog and 1 cat or 2 cats, 2 dogs.

[Broken11Girl]

Oh love
My two cats are my best friends, I would never give them up.
Who is this woman? From the HA? I would offer proof of recent checks & vaccination from vet, and get HA to check your current flat and confirm no damage by your cat beyond reasonable wear and tear. Also explain your mh issues.
You don't have to take this property though, if the above doesn't work you can hold on for another that accepts pets.

[blanketsallday]

You've already posted this

[blanketsallday]

Housing association doesn't allow petshttp://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/amiibeingunreasonable/3720657-Housing-association-doesnt-allow-pets

[Broken11Girl]

Helpful blankets

[Flowerywoman]

Sorry I didn't know where to post sorry everyone I have learning difficulties and severe depression I posted in aibu and was met with s lot of abuse and I shouldn't have posted this at all I am sorry and I hope this thread is closed

[Broken11Girl]

Yes, I just saw your other thread, lovely. Please take no notice of the twats being nasty to you. There are some terrible people on here.
As I said, ask nicely if you could bring your cat, offer vet reference and current home reference, or then it down and wait for another property. It's awful though, why shouldn't you have a pet. I have mh issues too and similarly my two cats keep me going. You need to talk to someone irl about this - do you have a support worker/ cpn etc?
Please don't feel you need to apologise. 💕

[Flowerywoman]

Thank you very much for your kind response and advice x

[VioletCharlotte]

Hello so sorry to hear this. I used to work for a housing association. Most new build apartment developments don't allow pets unfortunately. It's not done to the association, it's a condition of the lease. The reason for this is that some people are not responsible owners and the pets become a nuisance to other residents.

I can totally understand you didn't want to huge up your cat, so all you can do really is to pull out of the property and wait for something else to come up.

[Broken11Girl]

No worries love, keep us updated

[bloodywhitecat]

Sounds like it is the developer who is saying no to pets rather than the Housing Association so I am not sure you can get around it. Please don't smuggle your pet in, there are people like my daughter who end up in ITU after coming into contact with cat dander and dander takes months to leave a home.

[Cassimin]

I’m a private landlord. I put no pets when I advertised the property.
However I would allow a small dog or cat so it’s worth asking.
I only put no pets as I have had large dogs and have seen how much mess they make and the property I rent out is very small.
It just gives me the opportunity to refuse if someone wants lots/ unsuitable pets.

[Oliversmumsarmy]

I have rented out places before and providing it isn’t actually in my lease, if it is a flat, I had no issue with people having pets.

To me it made financial sense. Because so few landlords offer a place that allows pets people stay longer.

[sunshinesupermum]

So sorry flowery my daughter also has MH problems but atm shares my home. I dread to think of when she has to move out as she can't give up her cat either. I can understand landlords not wanting dogs (although they are my no 1 pet) but cats are fine. Good luck and ignore the rude unfeeling peops on here.

[codenameduchess]

As PPs have said, it will be the developer stating no pets so not a lot the HA can do about it. If it said no pets on the advert then it's no pets. Could you pull out of the new build and wait for an older property that does allow pets or does your HA have anything else available/opportunities to house swap?

The damage any pet can do is substantial and there's no real way for a landlord to tell which pets will or won't cause damage or a nuisance so many opt to not take the risk. I work for a HA and have seen the state some properties are left in because of irresponsible pet owners and how much it costs to put right (thousands in some cases) so understand why developers have this stance, however I am also a cat owner and could never give up my cats either- even after they've destroyed my couch.

[Aloe6]

Sorry to hear your predicament - if you are already housed you could turn down the property and wait for another suitable one to become available. Check with the council whether this affects your level of priority although it shouldn’t as they will be keen to free up your two bed for a family.

[Raphael34]

Your only option is to get rid of the cat or not take the flat

[ChicCroissant]

The advert stated no pets, the OP has already asked the HA and they have confirmed it is no pets.

You want to keep your cat which is fine, but you need to look for a property that allows pets in that case.

[Hoppinggreen]

I commented on your other thread (hopefully without being a twat) but most people were just saying that if you’ve been told you can’t have a cat there then you can’t. It’s ok to ask but you did and were told no.
The advice on the other thread to have a “secret cat” was pretty bad as it could cause problems for you and if you suffer from anxiety I imagine that worrying about being caught won’t help.
I have cats that I love and could never give them up but it is the cat or that property and it doesn’t matter how many times you Post this in how many different areas it won’t change anything.

[Flowerywoman]

I understand about your daughter but I have been offered a assured tenancy which is a tenancy for life I will not be moving out until I'm old, and I would have the place deep cleaned (laminate floor easy to clean ?

[Flowerywoman]

Yes the developer not association

[Flowerywoman]

I only posted In a few areas because I didn't know where was appropriate and I was recieving abuse on the other thread :(

[Flowerywoman]

I'll stop posting now sorry

[codenameduchess]

You've had very good advice, you asked the question and have been told no pets so it's either take the flat or keep the cat. there isn't another option OP.

[DianaT1969]

It is a shame to lose the chance of an assured tenancy. Do you have a friend or relative nearby who would have your cat and you see it daily? On the other hand, if the HA/developer never relents on the rules, then you are stuck in a home for life probably never able to have a cat.
Why are you moving? Is it the bedroom tax? Or just to get a better tenancy agreement?