Can my friend catsit in our rented property?

ButterflyKisses

Hello everyone *waves*

Have been browsing the boards for a while now, but just got round to registering. Hoping you intelligent people might be able to help me with a query!

My partner and myself privately rent a house. We are lucky enough to be going on holiday in June for 19 days. In our tenancy agreement, we must let the letting agents know if the property is to be unoccupied for more than three weeks, so this is just under the threshold.

However, we have a cat. My family are happy to pop in a couple of times a day to feed and fuss her while we are gone, but one of my friends has offered to stay at the house and 'catsit'. This would be ideal for us as she is very timid and she likes my friend. Would this be something I would have to get permission for? She wouldn't be our guest as such as we wouldn't be there. There wouldn't be any issue with getting a reference for my friend if it were necessary, she has rented in the past but is living at home at the moment.

Many thanks in advance for any thoughts you might have!

HappyMJ

I don't see that as a problem but you will be taking all responsibility for any damage she causes. I don't think you'll need permission but maybe a phone call advising the landlord of that might be nice. Then hopefully they shouldn't come around or bother sending you letters for the 3 weeks you are away.

ButterflyKisses

They're coming round to do an inspection in a couple of weeks so I'll have a little chat with them then. Just didn't want to put my foot in it, if it was definately going to be a no go I'd make other arrangements rather than have them thinking I'm up to something dodgy!

G_M

She IS a guest, unless she's paying you rent and sub-letting. You invite her to stay, she pays no rent - guest. Whether you are there at the same time is irrelevant.

Th 3 week unoccupancy rule doubtless reflects the landlord's insurance, which would be invalid if the property was unoocupied.

No need to ask permission.

missile

Do you have LLs permission for the cat?

ButterflyKisses

missile wrote: »

Do you have LLs permission for the cat?

Oh yes, all above board!

ButterflyKisses

G_M wrote: »

She IS a guest, unless she's paying you rent and sub-letting. You invite her to stay, she pays no rent - guest. Whether you are there at the same time is irrelevant.

Th 3 week unoccupancy rule doubtless reflects the landlord's insurance, which would be invalid if the property was unoocupied.

No need to ask permission.

Thanks for your reply, that's really helpful

missile

ButterflyKisses wrote: »

Oh yes, all above board!

Then I can see no problem. You certainly don't need permission, but you might want to mention that you are going on holiday and someone will be staying whilst you are away.

Aquatronixjenny

We are doing this with our dog when we go away in June! We are only away for a week and rather than put her in kennels, my Mum is going to come round and 'dog sit'
I just dropped my landlady an email asking if it was ok and just gave her my Mums mobile number, I will also leave a list of emergency contact numbers (landlady, letting agent, approved contractors etc) for my Mum just in case she needs anything. I though it was best to let the landlady know...

prudryden

It's probably a good idea to let the letting agent or LL know. If something goes wrong in the property, your friend can call the agent and they will know who they are talking to and won't be surprised. Sorry for the run on sentence.

ButterflyKisses

You're right, you can bet as soon as I step on the plane all the appliances and plumbing will collectively decide not to work!