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Original poster

Renting with cats

62 replies

purpleme12 · 24/02/2021 20:27

I've already got 2 cats
I might be forced to move in the near future
I'm very worried
What do I do?? If I can't find anywhere do I lie and say I'll not bring the cats and then just bring them anyway??

OP posts:

womaninatightspot · 24/02/2021 22:03

Gumtree is a good place to find private lets.

Beamur · 24/02/2021 22:23

Local Facebook groups, community websites etc. Where I live rental market is very fast and people often post on Facebook asking for rentals coming up (plus cute pics of pets) when they need pet friendly homes.

user1471538283 · 24/02/2021 22:24

We rent with 2 cats! It really wasnt easy because I wanted a ground floor apartment with our own outdoor access (for the cats), in a good neighbourhood and with two double bedrooms. So many either said no or that the lease didn't allow pets.

However, in the end we had a choice of three flats! The first one in hindsight may have been better (it was also cheaper), the second one I didn't really like the neighbourhood and the apartment was a little worn and this one. I offered to pay pet rent and i said they were tame and trained (which they are).

I rang every suitable apartment for about a month and this one was sorted in a week. As you dont mind a house I'm sure you will get something lovely.

Interested in this thread?

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Cats

murbblurb · 24/02/2021 22:28

Just ask . Stupid campaigning has outlawed higher deposits, blame Shelter for that. You could offer more rent if you can.

I had a tenant with a cat, zero damage. But it could have been clawed doors and carpets, or worse.

Original poster

purpleme12 · 24/02/2021 22:31

The carpet in the house I'm in now is so cheap and old it comes up when I hoover!!
Ironically the letting agent in an inspection (he was a spiteful one this one) pointed out a mark on the carpet - which was not a stain anyway, it came out when I brushed it clean. But how he can have the cheek to point that out when the carpet's in such bad repair I don't know!

OP posts:

ShalomToYouJackie · 24/02/2021 22:44

In my last place I got my cat after I'd moved in, didn't tell the lettings agent and when I had inspections I hid the litter trays and food bowls in the wardrobe and got DP to take the cat out in the carrier so they wouldn't know.

In the garden flat I'm in now it took a while to find somewhere to allow pets but every place I was interested in, I'd ring and ask them to ask the landlord and offer to pay a bigger deposit, I eventually found one that was fine with it and I had to have a clause in my contract to say I'd get the carpets professionally cleaned at the end of the tenancy

Crowsandshivers · 24/02/2021 22:47

Use openrent. You de directly with the landlord and can message them questions you may have.

Crowsandshivers · 24/02/2021 22:47

Deal*

Poorlykitten · 24/02/2021 22:50

My advice would be to explain to the landlord, often they are quite amenable if you talk to them. Don’t lie, it’s breach of contract.

UglyHoose · 24/02/2021 22:51

I'm on my second rental with two cats. In both cases I offered to pay a higher deposit and extra rent along with a steam clean after. Both landlords were happy with that. Both through agencies.

Always worth asking. Good luck OP

FindingMeno · 24/02/2021 22:59

Don't give up hope.
Keep trying and at a real push make enquiries with family to see if they could foster them for a short period. Not ideal, I know, but it might help you out if you suddenly have to move, then you perhaps could see that as a shorter term rental and look for somewhere else.
Could you advertise yourself for somewhere? Ask your current landlord if they have any contacts or pointers?
Just trying to brainstorm for you.
It's a risk to try to hide the cats if they're not allowed.
Could you find a direct contact number for letting agents so you can talk to an actual person and assure them they are well- behaved and as pp said, offer a higher deposit? If you get an automated question, say you have no pets, just so you can get through and talk to them and disclose that you do?
I thought landlords are no longer going to be allowed to blanket ban pets - not that it means they won't say no on a case by case basis, but it may mean discussion of the possibility could be more likely.
Good luck, op. It's nerve-wracking but hopefully you'll find somewhere soon.

supernova89 · 24/02/2021 23:00

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

Thing is, if you lie and they find out they can evict you for breach of contract. All it takes is your cats shitting in a neighbours garden and them having a moan to the landlord.

I'm no expert but I am under the understanding that it can be quite hard (expensive/ lengthy process) to evict someone? I keep watching those nightmare tenant programmes and even if someone doesn't pay their rent for months they still have to go to court to evict them?

So if you got a place and they did find out about the cats; what are the chances that they'd actually go to the effort of evicting OP? Would they not be more likely to just ask for extra rent or deposit? I dunno, it's just a thought. Like I said, I am no expert.

OP, I would say it was just one cat. Maybe that might skew things in your favour. I really hope you find somewhere, I am sure you will. Might just have to look a-bit harder. Good luck.

MissPessyMistic · 24/02/2021 23:11

OP this is shit, but hopefully I can give you some hope.

I have rented for over 15 years and always with cats. Finding somewhere is stressful, you won’t have your pick of properties but you can find something. When I contact letting agents I make it clear what I’m looking for and I’m always upfront about my cats. I’ve lived in 2 places where we never had inspections, but my last one and current home are inspected every 3 months, we have a fucking huge cat tree, beds everywhere, and all sorts of other cat paraphernalia lying around, I’d have a hard job hiding them!

Landlords are getting slightly more used to people with pets renting, it’s not quite as alien as it used to be. Register with as many letting agents and estate agents as you can. For private rental, we found a flat on gumtree, she was our best landlady and we lived there for 9 years. There is also a site called Open Rent, which is private landlords renting direct.

Let us know how you get on, and good luck.

Original poster

purpleme12 · 24/02/2021 23:14

Thank you everyone for the hope and brain storming
Really needed

Any more welcome too

OP posts:

Original poster

purpleme12 · 25/02/2021 10:21

If I'm going round letting agents giving them my details for properties so they can email me details of any properties
Should I tell them that I have one cat or just no pets at all?

OP posts:

givemushypeasachance · 25/02/2021 10:42

I rent with three cats, initially found through a letting agency, it can be done. My landlord has a cat himself, so he doesn't mind. With levels of pet ownership many landlords do, and saying "no pets" is just the default position to take but if you can get to a negotiation with them there often aren't real concerns. Or maybe by no pets they're picturing a couple of large dogs digging up the garden and making the carpets smell, not really low level cat impacts. Can you get a "pet reference" from your current landlord, can you agree to pay an additional pet deposit, can you promise to make good anything that needs changing e.g. I fit a cat flap in the door and will replace that when I leave.

BalancedIndividual · 25/02/2021 10:51

To all the people who are saying just lie / bring the cats anyway, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

I rent out a 1 bedroom flat. The tennant confirmed no pets. Then he brings his cat along after moving in. Other neighbours complain. Management company threatens me / the landlord. Tennant becomes a pain in the backside, and wont get rid of the cat. Tennant is forced to move, and I end up with an empty property for another 3 months trying to find someone else.

Most flat leases prevent pets. Dont be selfish.

Original poster

purpleme12 · 25/02/2021 10:56

Great, I was thinking flats would be my back up as a last resort
Now it doesn't even look like that's the case from what you're saying

OP posts:

BalancedIndividual · 25/02/2021 11:00

@purpleme12

Great, I was thinking flats would be my back up as a last resort Now it doesn't even look like that's the case from what you're saying

There are some flats where it may be possible. E.g. where the landlord actually owns the freehold or part of it. Or if the landlords leasehold permits cats (not often).

I guess my point is, please be upfront with the landlord. :)

YorkshireGoldFanClub · 25/02/2021 11:05

I have rented with a cat a few times, I just don't mention it, when I had inspections (they have to give you notice of the inspection) I used to pop the cat in the car and drive round the corner (in his carrier) until they were gone along with anything else cat related such as food, dishes and toys.

Never had a problem, always got my deposit back. Neighbours wont go to the trouble of complaining about a shitting cat - you'd have to be super unlucky for that to happen and its actually very difficult for landlords to evict people.

All my landlords say I'm one of / the best tenant they have had, I always pay on time and keep everything maintained so if you live like that, they wouldn't want to boot you out over a cat anyway as you'll be an otherwise great tenant.

Alcides · 25/02/2021 11:12

I didn’t mention the cats until after viewing a property and meeting the agent/landlord so they could see I’d be a good tenant. Then I told them and offered higher deposit and to pay for a full clean when moving out. Some still said no but a surprising number were ok with that. Good luck and hope you find something.

MaudesMum · 25/02/2021 11:23

As others have said, it's really worth looking at properties and then talking directly to the landlord. When I did it, I ended up going for a property which was slightly run down, although clean, so that there was less reason why the landlord would worry about cats. I was in a flat as well, but it was the ground floor of a house conversion, so no management company involved. I have to say I also said I only had one cat rather than two, so as not to be seen as a mad cat lady. That's easier to do if your cats look very similar! Good luck!!

Emmelina · 25/02/2021 11:35

We’ve never been refused cats when renting, even where the ad said no pets. I think it’s a standard thing they put in! Ask, it can only be yes or no. Perhaps offer a bit more on the deposit for potential damages. We also had to professionally clean and pet treat carpets on leaving which was entirely reasonable! Good luck.

BarbaraofSeville · 25/02/2021 12:05

I thought they were trying to outlaw stopping tenants from having pets as it's an unfair restriction - it prevents people from having normal lives, is discriminatory and can lead to animal welfare issues because desperate people have to abandon their pets to find a home.

You've had lots of helpful ideas, but if the situation becomes desperate, another way might be to get your cats fostered while you find somewhere they can live with you, for example if you need to move to leave an abusive relationship. I think I've seen the Dogs Trust advertising for fosterers to help in this situation, but it might be something that cat rescues can help with, especially if you can contribute towards their food and just need a stable home for them while you sort yourself out .

AllMyPrettyOnes · 25/02/2021 12:22

To all the people who are saying just lie / bring the cats anyway, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

Wouldn't have to lie if they were allowed to treat the place they live like home, and have pets. .

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