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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get a cat without asking landlord?

227 replies

lananana · 30/12/2016 19:25

Wooden floors throughout so no danger of carpets being ripped. Previous tenant smoked and left the house in a state which I spent ages cleaning. Agents said no pets when I moved in.

OP posts:
Hellmouth · 30/12/2016 19:43

Ask your landlord. Don't be a dick about it.

KimmySchmidtsFakeXmasSmile · 30/12/2016 19:44

I am a LL and if you asked me I would say yes provided property returned in same state it was let.
If I were to find out you had a cat without permission I would probably be okay with it (I love cats) but my letting agent would throw the book at you re any damage incurred.
I would be a hypocrite if I were to slag you off as I took in a kitten whilst in rented accommodation but ultimately I was evicted, still got references but had to rehome the cat as could not find rental where pets were welcome.
I am thinking of getting a cat soon but will ask my LL (I know they will say yes as the block has a mice problem).
I really would just ask.

BillyShingles · 30/12/2016 19:44

It could cause hundreds of pounds worth of damage to floors, carpets or no. Please don't.

andintothefire · 30/12/2016 19:44

Unfortunately it is not that easy to find another property - as exemplified by the number of landlords on this thread who refuse pets even if their tenants are prepared to pay a sufficient deposit and be extremely responsible in other ways! You are very lucky to own a second property - have some sympathy for those of us who couldn't even afford our own home and don't want to rehome vulnerable animals just because of personal misfortune..

Alfieisnoisy · 30/12/2016 19:46

I had a cat in my last rented property but I did ask the LL permission and paid an extra deposit to cover any damage. I also took out insurance in case of further damage.

Please please do t do it without the LL permission.

tierny · 30/12/2016 19:46

It's not hair the floors - our cat has ruined the wallpaper, my divan bed, curtains even the door mat ! They will sharpen their claws on anything.

If I was a LL and had stated no pets, and the tenant got one anyway, they'd be getting their eviction notice that day !

SisterMoonshine · 30/12/2016 19:47

Why would you take the risk?
Just ask.

LlamaDrama · 30/12/2016 19:47

Just ask your LL for chuffs sake.

I have no idea why people think that the rules don't apply to them. I know someone who isn't allowed pets and now has a whole menagerie. The place stinks and they wonder why they are being evicted.

lurkymclurkerson · 30/12/2016 19:48

Yes, YWBU. We've had to take in a kitten under these exact circumstances because the shelters were full and no-one else would take him after the landlord threatened to kick the tenant out. Please ask first.

TweedleDee3TweedleDum · 30/12/2016 19:49

One upon a time, I did this. Got a cat when the landlord didn't allow it. It caused a multitude of problems when they had to come by the house.

mistermagpie · 30/12/2016 19:49

Not sure who these mad cats are that are causing 'hundreds of pounds worth of damage' to wooden floors but you would never have known mine had been there. (Carpet would be a different matter!)

MiddleClassProblem · 30/12/2016 19:50

So if they said get rid of the cat or leave, would you get rid of the cat?

I would never do this having worked at a rescue where people got found out by their landlords and the car had to be returned and cause the animal extra stress and feeling unsettled. We changed our policy to need write permission because you can't trust people to be honest and to us the cat comes first not what someone who fancies a pet wants.

PidgeyfinderGeneral · 30/12/2016 19:50

FFS intothefire

And I have no sympathy for tenants who choose to ignore their contract without asking me, even if it is to give a rescue pet a home.

yorkshapudding · 30/12/2016 19:50

YWBVU to do this. Just ask them.

If you choose to go behind their back and get a cat when they've specified 'no pets' then don't complain if they find out and decide to give you your marching orders.

andintothefire · 30/12/2016 19:51

It's not hair the floors - our cat has ruined the wallpaper, my divan bed, curtains even the door mat ! They will sharpen their claws on anything.

But that's all rectified by a larger deposit, and the potential damage is minimal if the flat has wooden floors and is unfurnished. That is why I simply don't understand why so many landlords and agents are so unkind about this issue.

And I agree that landlords who specify "no children" are even worse, notwithstanding that in my experience a toddler is likely to cause far more damage than a cat!

dingdongdigeridoo · 30/12/2016 19:51

A friend of mine did this but with a puppy. The LL found out because a repair guy came round and told the letting agents. She had to rehome the poor dog, her contract wasn't renewed, and they absolutely went to town on the inventory, meaning she barely got any deposit back.

As a tenant myself I really do sympathise. It's horrid to not be able to have pets. But there are much worse things. Like being forced to move or even ending up without a place. Is a cat worth it?

Find a private landlord next time. They're usually much more flexible.

EddieStobbart · 30/12/2016 19:53

Our tenants did this. I was pissed off that they hadn't asked as I would have said yes (unfurnished let). We asked agency to let them know we were aware of the cat and that they should have requested and would need to make good any damage but let it at that.

andintothefire · 30/12/2016 19:56

EddieStobart - I think that was fair enough. But the majority of landlords on this thread are saying they would refuse if asked (even if offered a larger deposit). That was certainly my experience when I was struggling to find somewhere to live with a cat that I really couldn't have brought myself to rehome because of the miserable life she had previously.

BIWI · 30/12/2016 19:56

andintothefire

So many agents specified "no pets" - I think it is really unfair to deprive somebody of a much loved pet (and sometimes much needed company) just because they can't afford to buy. I have very little sympathy for landlords who do this, I'm afraid.

So here's a thing. The property isn't yours. It belongs to the landlord. Therefore they have the right to say what you can and can't do or have. If you don't like it, why not buy your own place Hmm

BIWI · 30/12/2016 19:57

For clarity, the first paragraph in my post above us quoting a PP

KimmySchmidtsFakeXmasSmile · 30/12/2016 19:57

into the fire was that to me? Confused It is not easy to find another property hence my warning to the OP, I was evicted for having a cat.
Fortunately she was rehomed to someone I knew and was happy but it broke my heart, totally my fault and selfish of me: so I am that cautionary tale (hence why I would let tenants have kids/pets if they ask me). I didn't own a home back then or would have been problem solved. I rent now as I live in Germany, majority rent here, am an accidental landlord in that renting out my home was more practical than trying to sell it...but am sure my tenant will tell you they are happy as I have not increased the rent in five years, get repairs done asap, give them long term contracts, mediated with bank to keep them on when they were temporarily dhss and yes, would let them have a cat if they asked me! Smile

andintothefire · 30/12/2016 19:58

BIWI - if you would have loaned me enough to buy a studio in London on a £30k salary with no security then I would happily have bought my own place Hmm

andintothefire · 30/12/2016 19:58

KimmySchmidt - no, not to you!

dingdongthewitchishere · 30/12/2016 19:59

andintothefire

I own a flat, and the lease does state that we are not allowed pets without written authorisation from all the other directors. It's unlikely that the other owners would take me to court over a cat, but it's not worth falling out with them either because of my tenants.

You don't know why landlords impose some clause, not every body is spiteful.

user1479745061 · 30/12/2016 20:00

I am a landlord, and I might allow a tenant to have a cat. I say "might" because I've recently acquired a kitten myself, in addition to the two adult cats I've had for a while, and the kitten has ripped the wallpaper to shreds in my kitchen and another room. So, given my own experiences, I might be ok with an older cat, but definitely not with a kitten. And, I would very definitely expect to be asked up front, and for any damage to be paid for.