Cat flap in rented property

Fen1

I live in a rented property. My living room has a conservatory that is not used much; it is accessed by a double glazed door. In the summer I've been able to leave the door open at night for the kitties to use the litter box that is kept in the conservatory. However, it is now far too nobbling cold to leave the door open overnight. I've put a thermal curtain over the door to try and keep the heat in, but it's not enough.

I just wondered if anyone had any bright ideas? I don't want to move the litter tray as it is in the most hygenic place in the house for it as the conservatory is otherwise unused.

How horrendously difficult is it to put in a new door that has a cat-flap? I cannot start cutting up the landlord's door. Please remember that I have few DIY skills.

Bluebonnie

It could be quite expensive.

You would need to get a glazier to install a new double glazed pane with a cut out for the cat flap. You retain the old pane of glass to be reinserted when you move out.

We had this done a few months ago - glazier charged £170 to supply and fit.

You choose whether to go for a standard cat flap, about £20, or one with a microchip sensor about £90. From what you have said, you might as well have the standard one.

Oh, and ask for landlord's consent, explaining you will reinstate glass upon leaving (ie you will get the glazier back and get him to reinstate the original glass).

G_M

1)I assume there is not a 'No pets' clause' or similar in the tenancy agreement, and/or you have written permission for cats?

2) You will need the landlord's written consent to start cutting holes in his property. If not, damage done will need to be put right.

A friendly chat is the first step.

DRP

Depending on the age / type of double glazed door you may be able to remove the pieces of uPVC (?) holding the glass in. I did this once and just removed the whole glazed unit in one piece. I used a flat head screw driver to prise out the plastic pieces - it was a bit of an emergency though and I did scratch the plastic a little.

Then you could replace it with a piece of hardboard cut to the same size (use the glass as a template) with a cutout for the cat flap.

Fen1

I have permission for the cats.

I was thinking how difficult it would be to change the whole door, not muck up the door that is already there.

How horrendously difficult is it to put in a new door that has a cat-flap? I cannot start cutting up the landlord's door.

ka7e

Why not buy a couple of cosy baskets or "igloos" and shut the cats in the conservatory at night? My cats sleep in an unheated conservatory and are fine - they just grow thicker coats in the winter!

Davesnave

ka7e wrote: »

Why not buy a couple of cosy baskets or "igloos" and shut the cats in the conservatory at night? My cats sleep in an unheated conservatory and are fine - they just grow thicker coats in the winter!

Fine for most of the time, but the temperatures can go down well below zero in an unheated conservatory, so OP might not want to go down this route without a fall-back position.

On the basis that it might be easier to get an electric cable into the conservatory instead of a cat through the door, something like
this might make that option more attractive:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vinyl-Cat-dog-bed-pet-whelping-puppy-electric-heat-pad-heater-mat-SAFE-/190942299625?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Kitchen_Steamers_Cookers_PP&hash=item2c750c45e9

ognum

I had a tenant and agreed with him that he could remove the bottom panel of the conservatory door, store it and then put in a panel with a cat flap in it.

I find most issues with my tenants can be resolved if we meet have a conversation and agree an approach. Try it, it usually works!

Fen1

Thank you for the ideas.

The moggs really would not appreciate being in the cold conservatory. Trust me! I have igloos for them, but they prefer the sitting-room sofa. I used to put them in the conservatory overnight when I first got them, but they hated it.

pinklady21

Why not find a local joiner or builder and ask for a quote to replace the existing conservatory door with a cheapie internal door and cut a hole in it at the same time for the cat flap?
Then at least you would know the cost implications.

Before you do anything though, talk to your landlord and ensure he/she is OK with you altering the property. Provided it is put back to how it was, in theory there should not be a problem, but you would be well advised to ask, and then put the agreement in writing by sending a letter of confirmation to the landlord..

Alternatively could you move the litter tray at night into the house and then back into the Conservatory during the day?
We keep ours in the bathroom.

Fen1

I'll check out how much it costs.

Don't really want to move the tray as it is in the most hygenic place in the house at the moment. Do not want to move the tray to another part of the house as the cats are allowed only in the sitting room/ conservatory. They are not given free-run of the house.