Pets and renting

Fireflyaway

We will be searching for a place to rent in a few months time and we have a cat. Virtually all the ads I see on websites don't mention pets and the few that do say 'no pets'.

I can't get rid of the cat. From experience do you think its going to cause a problem trying to find somewhere? I don't want to be searching for ages or end up somewhere bad. How much will it hold us back?

Any ideas what to do? I was thinking to register with some agents so they can keep a look out?

emlou2009

From experience, it depends on the LL. What we've done before is to view somewhere and offer to take it,then volunteer that we've an adult cat thats well behaved and spends its timeoutdoors and only comes in to sleep and eat, thentthe LA will usually check with the LL if they'll allow it, there's usually a higher deposit. A cat is a bit different to a pack of wall chewing, carpet ruining dogs!

Fireflyaway

I guess offering and then saying you have a cat might tempt them - good idea. Thanks. However where we live the houses tend to get snapped up super quick and they can probably chose who they like. Our cat just sleeps all day. She is very friendly and has never scratched anything. I honestly don't see she would be a problem. I guess maybe landlords worry about fleas. I can see their point.

babe-ruth

Yep, fleas are a problem especially after the tenant has left as the fleas don't move out with them. Also, I have had to rip up perfectly good carpets because we couldn't get rid of the smell, not sure if it was cat urine or if the cat was marking its territory with spraying ( not quite sure what it is that cats do)

Davesnave

We had 2 cats + 2 ferrets and found 3 properties to rent in 24 hours.

Our secret?

We visited the agents in person so that they could form a judgement about our likely level of responsibility for themselves. We also offered an extra deposit if they required it, but none did. We offered the incentive of 6 months rent up-front and bargained the price down on that basis for the property we took.

We found that 'no pets' became 'possibly pets' for many properties, though the really posh ones and brand spanking new places were exceptions.

clarky_cat

It might depend if the property is furnished or not. If the former many LL's would be concerned that a cat may scratch the furniture, our cat has scratched the hell out of our sofa. If its unfurnished they are likely to be more lenient.

I live in flat, and some are rented, and many on the ground floor have a cat.

Reue

If they don't mention pets then don't mention them yourself, surely?


As long as no damage is done to the property (or you make good/pay for any at the end of the tenancy) what's the problem? What you do in your own home is your business.


Personally I'd not mention the pets and just rent as normal. How would the landlord find out, and even if they did.. so what? Would they go through the time and cost of evicting you for it (assuming it was even mentioned in the tenancy), unlikely.

suestew

You can either ask and/or offer to pay a higher deposit or not say anything. I rent out a property and to be honest if the worst thing was they had a pet in the property without telling me I wouldn't go mad about it but I am an animal lover. We rented a little while ago and paid £200 more on our deposit but we did have 3 cats :-)

ognum

Remember that many flats have no pets written in to the lease. As a LLS I am happy for people to keep their well behaved pets but sometimes I have to say no because of lease restrictions.

fishybusiness

Our landlord asked for a £300 deposit to cover additional cleaning costs when we leave.

Or two cats are really good and we keep our home clean, even so we felt it a fair compromise.

Puffin2014

fishybusiness wrote: »

Our landlord asked for a £300 deposit to cover additional cleaning costs when we leave.

Or two cats are really good and we keep our home clean, even so we felt it a fair compromise.

I think this is the better way forward instead of lying about having pets. If you offer an extra deposit then I'm sure a landlord would be more likely to take you on as tenants as you've been honest up front AND you are making a financial commitment to show that you will look after the house or will pay up!

Good luck!