Convinving a Landlord to Allow a Cat.

[Random-Hero]

I have a cat, she's 2 years old, litter trained (never even used anything but the litter box), never goes outside (she's very timid), never scratched anything other than her scratching post, short haired, fully vaccinated and neutered. Me and my girlfriend work but she works morning til evening and i work lunch til late evening. so there's only a few hours she's left alone and ive never know her cause a problem before.

The problem is i'm about to enter into a new contract of a new rented place, which as usual states no pets without consent. I've given you all the good points above, and if I were a landlord i'd accept a cat under those circumstances. But im just wondering, has anyone asked and been granted? I don't want ethical opinions about me bending laws, because I'm not, I'm just wondering If anyone has had a landlord allow a cat before, and if so how did you do it? Formally? Informally? A small rent increase? Any feedback is appreciated :)

[Random-Hero]

also forget to mention shes actually small for an adult cat, like 2/3 the usual size.

[alexanderd]

Well it says no pets without consent so your landlord isnt anti-pets obviously. Best bet is to ask if it will be ok to have a cat they can only say no at worst and if you dont tell them and they find out then you are in breach of tenancy agreement. Good luck

[daffy654]

My tenancy agreement also states no pets but my landlord has said he would be ok with a well behaved cat or a caged pet.
Try explaining about your cat as you have here and maybe they will give you a trial period to make sure the cat causes no damage or smells.

[bushbaby_de]

If they put in the contract 'no pets without consent' they cannot unreasonably withhold consent. Put your request in writing and ask for the reply in writing too.

[237SJ]

As you have said, you have an agreement which says no pets. The operative word here is `consent`. I have a property which I let to tenants and my agreement says the same but I would personally agree to cats (I probably wouldn`t agree to a dog) but as far as I am concerned a cat is no problem. Just sound out the landlord and see what they say. Good luck

[Twenty20]

As a landlord, I wouldn't necessarily have a problem with pets - even though the agreement says 'no pets without consent'. One of our current tenants has a dog and it's not a problem.

The only point you should be aware of is some possible extra cleaning costs at the end of your tenancy. Pets, both cats and dogs, do create more dirt than would otherwise be the case (pet owners don't always notice this themselves) and either you would have to do extra cleaning or the landlord would (and would charge you for it). So long as youre aware of this I wouldn't see a problem.

It shouldn't mean an increase in rent but some landlords might like extra on the deposit to cover any extra cleaning or damage. It might even be worth offering this if the landlord hesitates about giving consent.

If you've rented previously, with the cat, then you should be able to get a reference from your previous landlord that the cat didn't cause a problem.

[Random-Hero]

Just been reviewing my contract and it says...

2.7 The tenant is not to keep and animal or pet at the property without prior consent of the landlord (consent not to be withheld unreasonably)

Which to me says a well presented case about my cats good behaviour and me assuming all responsibility for any damages etc should get a yes without having to offer him extra cash :D

[craft1948]

Have you mentioned the pet rhino yet?

[bushbaby_de]

Refer back to my earlier answer on not unreasonably withholding consent :)

[237SJ]

Random-Hero - I personally wouldn`t offer extra cash. If when you move, there are cat hairs in the carpet and it needs cleaning, they`ll take it out of your deposit so why pay twice?