To not exchange contracts until I know what the seller's plans are for her cat?

[decimatedday]

We're moving house, and in the final stages of conveyancing. I recently met the owner and she mentioned that her cat had been born in the property and has a well-trodden territory. She said she can't take the cat with her because she is going into rented accommodation and travels abroad a lot. At that point she hadn't decided what to do with it (tbh I got the impression she was hoping I might volunteer to take it on).

I'm a bit worried she might re-home the cat with a near-neighbour or somewhere close enough for it to return to its territory. As we have a cat of our own, this would be a big problem. I've requested reassurance via the solicitor but so far we haven't had an answer. AIBU to hold out for one?

She could tell you anything and then “forget “ to take the cat or rehome him and he just comes back to you anyway
No solution for you but waiting to exchange based on a cat is a bit daft

Yes YABU. I can't believe that you are this far down the process and have started issuing demands about how far her cat needs to live away from the house.

Yanbu. But what you could do is offer to take it on then put in a rescue centre far from your new home.

or do what melting said, that'd work.

Well, a solution would be for her to rehome with a neighbour. I don't think you can put an exclusion zone around your property incase it's occasionally around. There may also be other cats around too

I think you just need to wait and see what happens and then if she does leave the cat take it to a reputable re-homing centre. One that doesn't put cats down when they have too many

It's not a purrfect world op

She needs to get in touch with a rescue centre if she can't find a home for cat. If cat is still there when you arrive you could contact the rescue centre yourself. I wouldn't hold the sale up for this reason. But that's up to you.

I feel really sorry for the seller. She loves her cat, doesn't know what to do and us desperately hoping you'll take it on. It's sad really. I think- why not give it a try - I have two cats and a dog who all live together harmoniously though I'm sure each would secretly prefer to be the only pet! And if it doesn't work them regime her cat.

Regime = rehome

So you're seriously going to hold up the sale in case her cat lives nearby and decides to come in the garden? What about the neighbours, will you be asking them to restrain their cats too? You don't think you're being a tiny bit ridiculous?

Even if it's rehomed by a neighbour it doesn't mean it will be trotting through the door demanding breakfast each day. Once it twigs the new owners and new cat resident it will turn around again.
(I feel sorry for it)

You could lose that house if you waste time fussing around over a cat. If she takes it or rehomed it OK. If she leaves it, so what? It's only a cat! You could keep it (cats usually get on together eventually - we've got 2 - one is 16 and one I'd 4). Or put it in a cat rescue, or see if you can get it rehomed. That is it.

I think what the op is trying to get across is that the cat may be territorial over the house with her own cat so that could cause a cat war with the sellers cat not wanting another cat in its property .
All you can do is try and see how they get on and if any problems re-home the sellers cat . It might turn out good for everyone .

I can't believe you're prepared to lose a house over a cat

I understand what you mean OP because if the sellers cat is rehomed close I'd be worried it would keep trying to get back in the house. Not much you can do about outside really.

I think all you can do is say to her that if the cat isn't actually rehomed,you will have to take it to a shelter. If it's rehomed local I would just say can you tell me what number/who so I know who to contact if the cat keeps coming here and not going home/needs feeding etc.

I am so glad you aren't going to be my neighbour.

If you're prepared to lose the house you want at this late stage, I can only imagine what you would be prepared to do over minor neighbour issues

My neighbour moved about four months ago, a good hour away. Their cat still comes back every now and then.

Even if she says she'll take the cat with her or put it in a shelter or whatever, you have no guarantee that she'll actually do it. You can't force her, and to maybe lose out on a house over a cat is a bit silly! You could always offer to take the cat yourself or rehome it for her, I think thats the only way you'll be able to determine exactly what happens.

Why is it a big problem for your cat to interact with another cat?

Get a microchip cat flap and let your cat defend its territory in the garden.

FFS.

If her she rehomes it with the neighbour you can’t take it to a shelter
The neighbours cats maybe just as territorial, what then?

The people who sold us our terraced house moved to the house right next door with their cats who never set foot in our house again. Give the cat the benefit of the doubt!

Poor cat and poor seller. :(

This thread has reminded me why I swore after our last house purchase I would never move again!

It's none of your business what the seller chooses to do with the cat and she is under no obligation to share those plans with you. I can't believe anyone would be willing to lose a house over this.

Surely your cat will have to go out and claim territory whether or not the lady leaves her cat nearby. When we moved in the neighbours cats clearly felt like our garden was their turf (previous owners had no pets) and ours had to fight their corner.

your cat will defend it's territory so it'l sort itself out....or you can take it to the cat shelter/rspca and report her for abandonment.