Convincing 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 :)

[Messalina]

Well, first point is that if your landlord is really anti pets, keeping a cat is a breach of your contract & could get you evicted. BUT, if I were you I would speak to him & offer an increased security deposit just in case of any damage - that mey be enough to keep him sweet. I hope it works out for you.

[Random-Hero]

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

and i was thinking about offering increased rent as a 2nd option. hoping that my experience in life with cats and general good pet/home keeping, would be enough, then if not offer £20 a month extra to ease his mind over damages etc.

[bednobs]

if i were you i'd go for the increased damage deposit first.

[ELVIS68]

I`d avoid the increased damage deposit, that`ll look like your cat is likely to cause damage

[Random-Hero]

see i agree with elvis, the deposit seems bad, the increased rent is money i know im never going to see again so this profit may sway him...

[saxy_jag]

We've lived in three lots of rented accommodation over the past 17 years, always with at least one dog. Every time when I've asked, I've put in writing that I will make good or pay for any damage my pets may cause. It's never been a problem yet.

[ELVIS68]

Just ask him anyway, if he says no, then mention the rent increase

[alexanderd]

Since iti says in your agreement no pets without permission it woud appear your landlord is not anti pets in general so go ahead and tell him/her you have a cat. As Messalina says if you tell then you are in breach of your agreement. They probably dont want someone moving in with a huge dog. Good luck

[Random-Hero]

So you think a formal letter explaining my long cat background is good? explain about her great clean habits, and that at the end of tenancy i would be happy to do a walkthrough with him and discuss any costs he believes are the cats fault? and if he says no ask if he would consider the previous terms but with +£20 a month? I can't see why not, but it's just we love this new apartment and also our cat and would hate to choose :(

[Barmaid]

I rented a place for 2 years which was going to be "no pets". I explained to the agent that I had a cat and my sister was going to be moving in, also with cat. They asked the owner and the owner was happy. Indeed, the owner even volunteered that I could have a cat flap into the garden shed for days when I was out and kitty cat couldn't get in. I was asked to pay an extra deposit, which I was happy to do. Consequently, me and cat moved in and had 2 lovely years there.

I rent out my house. I said no pets without consent. I would, however, have readily consented to a cat or two or a small dog. It is worth asking. Good luck. (I'd rent a house to you and your cat!)

[wildwood]

You say you are about to enter into a new contract, this means you have already occupied the place for some considerable time. Ask the landlord to exclude one cat in the 'no pets' clause, as you'd really like one. It has to be a stupid landlord not to allow this as you must obviously be a desirable tenant seeing you are about to renew the rent contract.

[carmalee]

I wouldn't make a big deal out of it - just mention that you understand you need his permission to have a cat therefore you are doing this and will, of course, assume responsibilty for your pet. By pre-empting things in offering extra deposits etc not only are you giving away your back up cards you are putting ideas in his head! He's maybe quite happy for kitty to be there and just wants you to do the decent thing and play the game fairly. I really think you are over analying things and need to keep it simple and low key. Good luck and keep us updated.

[Random-Hero]

Hehe, I got hold of my contract again and found the guys name, and then I facebooked his profile. Turns out he is a family man with a dog of his own, so we know he is an animal lover :D I'm going to write a formal letter in a week or so, once we've settled in, and hope for the best :D

[Babz]

I'd write or phone him and tell him exactly what you put here, how harmless your cat is and tell him that you are so confidant that you are willing to pledge to make good or replace any damage to his property. When we moved into our present rented home it had been empty quite a while so although the landlady had said no pets she was easily persuaded to allow us to bring two middle aged quiet cats... we ended up with four but because she hardly visited and the cats all looked similar she never realised. We're still here 11 years later with two different cats but we think she still thinks it's the original two. Our neighbour also in rented property has 14 rescued cats, when she had her first inspection we brought 12 of them round here and she pretended she only had 2, and got away with it. Recently though the agent turned up unexpectedly, she hasn't said what he said about all the cats...I bet he got a shock.

[Bambi_1]

A long time ago I rented a flat with a no pets claue to the lease. A stray cat attached herself to me and I started feeding her. The landlady inevitably spotted her (the flat was attached to her house) and was pleased that somebody was looking after her so I was positively encouraged to keep her. I was evicted after she found out that my boyfriend was staying - it took her a year to cotton onto that one and there was no clause about it in the lease!

I now rent out a small number of flats and the couple in one flat have two dogs. I take each case individually and the understanding is that any damage will be made good. I think cats are less liable to do damage than dogs, anyway.