Are pets ever allowed in flats?

[Deleted User]

immuno wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, guys. It's not like we'd be moving with a pet - more like considering getting one in the future. I agree that having a dog in a flat without a garden is not right...but does a cat also need a garden? What about communal gardens?
For some reason, I thought that a LL is more likely to allow pets in a house, not a flat...not sure why I thought that.

Generally it is recommended to allow cats the chance to explore outside for a few hours a day, as it gives them mental stimulation and exercise. However, if it’s not possible to do this then cats can adapt to living indoors particularly if they are used to it from a young age. There are things you can do to help keep them mentally stimulated like providing toys and even getting a second cat to keep them company.

[Deleted User]

You can have 100% indoor cats, it's whether you think you should. Personal preference I guess, and I suppose not relevant to the OP's original question so apologies!

Although if you do have an indoor cat prepare to say goodbye to your possessions, they will scratch everything. And a litter tray stinks.

lisa110rry

Ah...like I said, no knowledge of cats!

Sounds like you speak from experience!

Lunchbox

immuno wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, guys. It's not like we'd be moving with a pet - more like considering getting one in the future. I agree that having a dog in a flat without a garden is not right...but does a cat also need a garden? What about communal gardens?
For some reason, I thought that a LL is more likely to allow pets in a house, not a flat...not sure why I thought that.

Because the Landlord of a flat will usually have a lease that stipulates no pets, or that the freeholders permission is required for a pet.

Our freeholder requires that we purchase a licence off them for a pet. I can't see many landlords being willing to put in the time and cost of the paperwork for this for a tenant. Much easier to state no pets up front.

thesaint

immuno wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, guys. It's not like we'd be moving with a pet - more like considering getting one in the future.

When you move from that property, you will be moving with a pet.

I suggest you do not get one until you are purchasing your own property instead of borrowing someone else's for a short time.

Money_maker

Don't forget you wont be able to leave a dog home alone all day regardless of where you live.

HappyMJ

thesaint wrote: »

When you move from that property, you will be moving with a pet.

I suggest you do not get one until you are purchasing your own property instead of borrowing someone else's for a short time.

In London someone would probably be buying a leasehold flat/house and still not able to have pets due to lease restrictions and buying a house in or near central London is in my opinion beyond the budget of any of us posting on here.

Money_maker wrote: »

Don't forget you wont be able to leave a dog home alone all day regardless of where you live.

True. Any sensible dog owner would get someone to pop in some time during the day to walk the dog....unless of course they don't mind the dog peeing on the carpet. Some dogs can handle being home alone all day. Cats certainly can.

jpmnteiro

It's possible, however it will depended on your relationship with the LL/property manager (in my opinion).

When we first started searching for a flat, I mentioned once to a EA that we'd like to rent with pets and to this day I'm still waiting to hear back from that EA. So we left the cats out of the picture and after 6 months in the flat we're currently renting, we finally went ahead, asked the LL for permission and he agreed. Our two cats are now living with us (after spending those six months living with my parents).

By the way, cats are totally fine with staying at home all the time if they are raised that way. If they're used to go outside, it's going to be complicated getting them on the "not-going-outside-the-house" boat (they can get a bit noisy/irritating due to the lack of freedom).

hign10pines

In my block of flats there are plenty of cats and I think one dog. Our agency mentioned pets aren't usually allowed in purpose build flats, I don't think he knew what he was talking about. I take this to mean no-one has ever asked the landlady.

boliston

Indoor cats and fish are probably the best pets for a flat - persians are ideal as only a fool would let a valuable persian roam the streets - where i live (a large block of flats) pets are a total "no-no" per the lease yet i often see cats sat on window sills looking out