To say that no pets mean no pets?

[Aprilcherry04]

I currently have lodgers in a 3 bedroom semi. They seem nice enough and the neighbours say they are well behaved. However their contract says no pets and I found out they have 2 cats living in the property. I was visiting a friend and saw a cat sitting on the window ( inside) as I passed. They contacted me a couple of months back to ask if I was likely to renew contract and I said yes - subject to a house inspection. They have also mounted a 60 inch tv on the living room wall without permission. I have a strict no pets no smoking clause on the tenancy agreement. I have a cat allergy. Contract needs renewed in a month. Aibu not to renew?

@BelfastNonBlonde

Go and have a lie down love.

Well I'm back. Read all the replies. House is actually in NI. I didn't want to id area not because of this post but perhaps subjects I've commented on in the past might out me. NI is relatively small place. I've spoken to letting agency today and I have decided that I will renew contract providing inspection of house is ok. They have broken the terms of their agreement so I am within my rights to end contract with 3 months notice but on reflection I probably won't do that

@Aprilcherry04

Glad you got it sorted.

Bit mad to boot out otherwise great tenants.

And cats RARELY do any damage, or cause any smell, despite the bullshit comments from a minority of posters saying they do.

Good lord..

I do think you would be silly to evict the tenants if they are otherwise good tenants, cats are generally one of the cleaner animals and unless they have behavioral issues don't do much damage. My kids do more damage than my cat.
That said all the PP asking how your allergy comes into it if you don't live there, you can't go in and do inspections if you cant step foot in the house. Can you afford to pay for someone to go in and do it for you?

I think youve made the right choice OP. Nice one

Good update OP.

I hope the inspection goes well.

I am within my rights to end contract with 3 months notice but on reflection I probably won't do that OK! That, and most of what went before, makes sense now we know it is in NI!

Good luck with the inspection.

You could ask them for a slightly larger deposit to cover cleaning carpets if need be. (I have cats and they’re fine, but I think there should be some small consequence for them having done this behind your back). I’m glad you’re not throwing them out though.

I don't understand why they can't have cats just because you have allergies. You don't live with them, so it doesn't affect you. If you do decide to live there some time later, a good vacuuming and perhaps steam-cleaning will remove it, it won't stay in the house forever.

You could ask them for a slightly larger deposit to cover cleaning carpets if need be Yes! Now we now she is in NI we can say yes! She probably can as they don't have a Tenant Fee Ban - yet!

Inspect the house.talk to the tenants.as pp have said,why throw out otherwise good tenants because of cats?if house clean and no damage and rent paid on time etc do you really want to throw them out?
I read something this week about the law changing preventing owners of rented out properties stating no pets allowed but whether that comes to fruition is another matter.

Sorry sorry!just seen update..was distracted by kitten and dog both wanting to sit on me....well done op!great decision

If they pay the rent on time look after the house and are good neighbours I would not rock the boat

They've broken the terms of the agreement and you don't have to renew the contract anyway. You're not really evicting them, are you, if the contract is up for renewal? And yes, cats can damage flooring and soft furnishings. Is it furnished? Are there carpets?

Also, they should have asked permission if they wanted to put something on the wall.

Do you have an agency working for you?

you could always say you can only renew if the animals are rehomed as it was in the contract no pets if they disagree dont renew

Having been a tenant in the past, as well as a letting agent AND a cat lover, I absolutely would not renew the contract. All cat owners know that cat piss absolutely reeks. The deposit would not cover new carpets for the whole house. I saw this happen several times as an agent and it's a real shame. Don't take the risk on a family who clearly don't abide by landlord rules.

I would rather have cats than people as tenants. They only need a warm place,and like to sleep a lot, and they are not keen on loud noises. so perfect in every way.

The law is changing soon so you can’t have no pets as a stipulation in your tenancy agreement without good reason.

Those saying it's an easy thing to rectify when tenants move out, it really isn't! Cat smell pervades all the carpets and any soft furnishings. A deep clean won't get rid of any allergens either so it will restrict the OP's ability to move back in should she need to until she replaces carpets etc. There's also the flea issue, not all owners treat their pets and once they take hold it's a really tricky job to get rid of them.

Yani...if they are otherwise good Tennant's. I had a cat and she never scratched anything she wasn't meant to.i.e scratch post (also no shed unless I brushed her) . It always amuses me to hear how cats cause loads of damage but I've never seen it.

Do you think the tenant found the cat and then fed it Abd then the cat made itself a home with them. We have had a lot of cats including females cats we have taken in temporary til we could get them to cat shelters. We also had other tom cats who had been abandoned and who arrived at hours

And new people never knew I had a cat till she came out to say say hello to them, not all homes smell of cat lol

If the home is in a clean, tidy & undamaged condition, just ask your lettings agent to advise them they have broken the Terms of their Tenancy Agreement in writing and get them to sign an agreement now for a specialist deep clean to be carried out when they vacate.
Thats crucial as future tenants may have allergies even if the house looks clean.
Also state clearly no more pets than those existing... (there is now precedent so if you're lax they may get more pets )

GET EVERYTHING in writing and have them sign......EACH individual name must be on the Tenancy Agreement so they are jointly liable.
Very best of luck....cover all the bases [halo ]

YANBU.

The majority of the people on here stating the contrary are not landlords and have zero concept of what a nightmare it is.

No pets means no pets. They may be tenants but it's your property and they are under contract.

Definitely do an inspection to ascertain any damage and ask them why they flouted the terms of their contract. It is then up to you whether you serve them notice for breaking that contract or give them another chance with the stipulation that no more pets are added to the current 2.

You don't need to evict them, such drama! You can serve them notice for breach of contract. You only evict if they refuse to leave.

Animals smell and that includes cats, it's just the owners are used to it and swear blind they don't.