Pets Allowed?

one_bill_at_a_time

Hello - not sure whether to put this here or on the house buying thread but I figured pet people may have more experience!

I own my own flat (miracle!) but in the leasehold it states I'm not allowed pets such as cats / dogs

I would love to get a cat (one that doesn't go outside obv) but wonder if the rule in my leasehold is enforceable... does anyone have any experience of this kind of thing? I'd hate to get a cat then have to rehome it :-(

thanks a million!

gunsandbanjos

one_bill_at_a_time wrote: »

Hello - not sure whether to put this here or on the house buying thread but I figured pet people may have more experience!

I own my own flat (miracle!) but in the leasehold it states I'm not allowed pets such as cats / dogs

I would love to get a cat (one that doesn't go outside obv) but wonder if the rule in my leasehold is enforceable... does anyone have any experience of this kind of thing? I'd hate to get a cat then have to rehome it :-(

thanks a million!

How weird that they can tell you you can't have a pet in the home you own! I don't know the answer to your question but i'm really curious:)
I understand in rented property the owner can tell you they don't want pets which is fine, but in a bought property?

cjmumto2

As far as I know you can't that is the problem with leasehold, as you dont actually get the final say in anything. You can phone the management company and ask them though. The rules may have changed or it may be ok with an indoor cat but do check first as there will always be one busy body who will see the cat at the window and then report you.

Good Luck.

podperson

I would check with whoever manages the flats. I'm in flats - although I rent - and I had to write in to ask for permission for my cat before I moved in.

one_bill_at_a_time

Thank you all - I grew up in scotland where preperty law is different so the whole leasehold tihng still baffles me!

Ah well - I'll re read the leashold agreement for any loopholes

Tropez

The lease is a legally binding contract and so the leasing company is legally entitled to enforce a no-pet policy if they so desire. Generally, flats are subject to no-pet policies for the benefit of everybody living in the building but also because pets can cause damage to property too.

If you try to house a pet that breaches the lease and refuse to remove it should the landlord find out then the landlord will likely apply to the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT) to make a decision about whether your housing of the pet consitutes a breach of the lease. If the LVT finds in favour of the landlord (which they almost certainly will) the landlord can apply to have you issued with a Section 146 Notice under the Law of Property Act 1925 which will state their intentions to have the lease forfeited unless the pet issue is resolved. A Section 146 Notice may also require you to financially compensate the landlord.

Tropez

gunsandbanjos wrote: »

How weird that they can tell you you can't have a pet in the home you own! I don't know the answer to your question but i'm really curious:)
I understand in rented property the owner can tell you they don't want pets which is fine, but in a bought property?

Leasehold is different to freehold. When you buy a property on leasehold you are basically buying ownership rights for X amount of years. You can still sell the property on the open market, and providing you do not breach the lease agreement, you can do with the property what you would normally do with a freehold home, but once the X number of years is up the property reverts back to the leasing company or landlord (the freeholder).

The vast majority of apartments being sold in the new constructions in London such as Imperial Wharf are being sold on leasehold for 99 years.

becky4131

I live in and own a leasehold appartment and have a cat. It says in my lease that i am not allowed pets but i don't see the problem if the cat isn't disturbing anyone else.

My neighbours know i have a cat and no one is bothered, the cat only stays in my appartment so any damage caused will be my own problem.