Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pets

Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

Original poster

Housing association doesn't allow pets

66 replies

Flowerywoman · 18/10/2019 09:10

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

OP posts:
Oliversmumsarmy · 18/10/2019 18:11

Keep your cat and wait for something more appropriate to come along.

Original poster
Flowerywoman · 18/10/2019 19:58

Yes there is, I'm keeping my cat and taking the property. Thank you :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Flowerywoman · 18/10/2019 20:01

I am only moving because I do not need a two bed and happy to downsize , I have been an assured tenancy with a tenancy that allows pets for 10 years, I am downsizing so a family can have use of a two bed that I do not need. I will keep my pet they will never know I have a cat they never want access to the property unless it was for repairs which is easy since they give notice and I can shut my cat in the cupboard (the people who do repairs are contractors who aren't even with the housing association anyway) completely unreasonable to keep a very well behaved cat , I am extremely clean and tidy and people have told me you wouldn't think I even owned a cat it's a tenancy for life and it's a suitable place, I am not downsizing to a crappy old property when the property I live in is nice anyway and I've spent so much money on it ,I am doing them a favour. Therefore I am keeping my cat and the property. Thanks for the kind replies and for those who replied with hostile rude messages, well, f*u. Have a great weekend everyone x

OP posts:
ChicCroissant · 18/10/2019 20:05

well, f*u.

Charming! If you didn't want opinions you didn't have to ask, OP!

Original poster
Flowerywoman · 18/10/2019 20:07

Sorry I take that back, I thought this was the aibu thread where I was met with abuse and the thread was closed. Thanks for your responses chic, have a nice weekend x

OP posts:
Waveymaevey · 18/10/2019 20:08

You can’t shut a cat in a cupboard. That’s not acceptable.

Original poster
Flowerywoman · 18/10/2019 20:11

Not REALLY the cupboard, my bedroom, where her litter tray is. So, all is well and good :) have a great weekend x

OP posts:
MotherOfLittlePeople · 18/10/2019 20:33

Our council do checks 6 months after moving in. They will know if you have an animal there or not. I wouldn't be lying to them.

Oliversmumsarmy · 18/10/2019 20:46

It is only a tenancy for life if you adhere to the contract.

You could find yourself homeless if you keep your car.

Why the urgency?

Can’t you wait till something comes up which is more suitable

Original poster
Flowerywoman · 18/10/2019 20:50

All new builds say no pets, I will keep my two bedroom then, very happy here just wanted to help out by giving it to a family but very happy where I am it's a spacious nice flat and I've spent a lot of money on it , certainly am not giving up my relatively new build nice home that I've had for 14 years for an old run down rough place that allows pets. I will probably stay here and keep my cat. Thanks everyone x

OP posts:
Original poster
Flowerywoman · 18/10/2019 20:51

And no they would never find out, unless you're an idiot. I lived here for 14 years never had a home check only repairs and they didn't even know I had a cat since he hides whenever someone comes in the door. Have a great weekend all and thanks for the advice x

OP posts:
Original poster
Flowerywoman · 18/10/2019 20:54

The new association tenancy agreement would be the same, assured/secure with no home checks left to your devices. If found out I had a cat they would take me to court over an indoor cat and the judge would either way get rid of it or keep it since it's a silly reason to evict anyone over especially since she helps with my mental health. Bes to just stay where I am, 14 year old home I was the first tenant to move in with my dad since he left kept in immaculate condition building is like a new build and I've spent money on it, I've kept it nice, I will stay here :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Flowerywoman · 18/10/2019 22:13

It is sad that I cannot move to a decent new build property because of my cat, the association said the builders said no pets and the association agreed, it's a blanket ban on pets which is unreasonable, I can't even request permission, she just said no .very unreasonable how is this lawful? Would they really evict me for just having an indoor cat in a suitable large apartment when it helps my mental health needs and I am downsizing doing a good thing to help a family have my two bedroom property? It's upsetting. Oh well. I'll stay put and notify the association tomorrow about my decision to refuse.

OP posts:
ohnoitsnot · 18/10/2019 22:28

My HA doesn't allow pets except for medical reasons. I got a letter from the doctors stating that our cats are important for my dds mental health as she suffers from depression. If yours allow on medical grounds ( which they probably do ie for assistance dogs ) it may be worth a chat with the gp and the cost of a letter . Good luck

Original poster
Flowerywoman · 18/10/2019 22:37

Wow. Now this is why I posted in the first place for helpful advice not from vapid horrible women who don't know how to speak to a vulnerable person. Thank you, I will speak with my GP tomorrow

OP posts:
TheTempest · 18/10/2019 22:42

Honestly, I’m a HO and I couldn’t care less if people have an indoor cat. Clean up the mess, any staff round out the cat in the bedroom and don’t worry about it. IME, you won’t get evicted for a cat. If you have a letter from the doctor saying your cat helps with your anxiety then I’d imagine the HA will ignore happily. Good luck, enjoy your new home Smile

Original poster
Flowerywoman · 18/10/2019 22:49

Thank you so much your reply made me tearful with hope, that really meant a lot to me thank you. X

OP posts:
Original poster
Flowerywoman · 18/10/2019 22:59

I sent you a private message, I'd appreciate if you could check it for me x

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 19/10/2019 10:07

It is worth a try flowerywoman but please don’t get your hopes up too much.
I really think it’s not worth risking having a cat without permission. You say your existing flat is nice but if you give it up and then are evicted from the new one for having a cat against the rules of your TA then you will be in a very difficult position.
As I said on the other thread, you do sound vulnerable - do you have anyone Supporting you?

Original poster
Flowerywoman · 19/10/2019 16:31

I just called shelter and they said it is highly unlikely a judge would evict me for having an indoor cat and considering my mental health needs, it would be considered very unreasonable and before they even threatend court action (they would avoid that at all cost and try to exhaust other avenues because I have an assured secure tenancy), I could call the housing Ombudsman and they can get the no pets wavered for me to be able to keep just my one cat and no other pets. I am going to move into the property with my cat and if I ever got 'caught' I would fight my case. I also have a letter from my gp stating that I heavily rely on my cat for comfort and support because I have severe depression and anxiety. I wil also call the council on Monday to see if they can fight my corner if not I will move in anyway and fight my corner if it ever came to it. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
Fallofrain · 19/10/2019 16:35

I work in mental health and have seen people evicted for having pets they arent allowed.
Im not trying to scare you but it does happen

Fallofrain · 19/10/2019 16:37

Also as they are already aware of your cat they are more likely to be looking for it.

One of the tennants i supported was evicted because they could prove he was aware that he wasnt allow pets because he had asked several times

Original poster
Flowerywoman · 19/10/2019 16:44

I told them I rehomed the cat but if I got 'caught' I can say I had to have the cat back because my mental health deteriorated which it would, it would be down to a judge, it's discretionary grounds in regards to them seeking possession not mandatory and the judge could and more than likely consider it unreasonable since I didn't even have permission to ask for a cat in the first place and I did downsize my property, giving up a two bed to move to a one bed, blanket pet bans are considered unreasonable and aren't very enforceable, court eviction would be the very last option they would try other avenues first (having a secure tenancy) so I would have the option to give my cat to my mother if I had to, but a housing Ombudsman can get it wavered and a judge would likely allow me to keep my one cat. I am going to move in and keep my cat.

OP posts:
Original poster
Flowerywoman · 19/10/2019 16:46

The first property I applied for and turned down said no pets but they said they would allow my indoor cat, which is what I expected with this association since that seems to be the common theme, but absolutely no pets under any circumstances without even being able to ask for permission, a blanket ban is very unreasonable.

OP posts:
Fallofrain · 19/10/2019 16:52

Hmmm unfortunately the power is very much with the housing authority and unfortunately it doesnt matter if its unfair. I have worked with people with really significant mental health problems who have been evicted despite doctors notes etc

Unfortunately your tennacy will also be classed as a seperate tenancy, you're unlikely to be given any extra consideration due to giving up your current tenancy

I can see that you have chosen your course of action so am wondering what you would like people to give you advice on?

Lots of people have given you advice which i can understand you dont agree with, but please try and listen to them.

Swipe left for the next trending thread