Looking to rent but have 2 cats, help!

Kittylah

Hello all,
So I'm new to renting, I'm moving out from my parents with my partner. We're on a timer of around 2 months and in London.
I have 2 young, very clean cats. And I'm fully aware that lots of landlords don't like pets these days.

It's been a struggle to find a place that has not got a big 'no pets allowed' written on its listing. The few estate agents we've approached so far have asked straight up if I have any children or pets, and I've been rejected a couple of viewings because of the cats... so it's proving to be quite difficult. :wall:

I don't want to lie, as I'd rather not be evicted somewhere because I did!
But it's difficult to even negotiate with the landlord when an estate agent just refuses you upfront. :doh:

I could leave the cats with my parents for a little while, but that doesn't seem fair on them and if I can never negotiate a pet clause in a place, then they'd have to keep them.

Any advice? :sad:

I'm so unsure on what's the right thing to do if they ask if we have any pets. I'd happily pay more for them or anything. I want to be fully honest and open with our future landlord, so it's a shame this pickle has come up. :sad:

(And please no one say anything like just buy a place then. That's in the plans for later once we can!)

ThatWentTitsUpThenDidntIt

Try Open Rent - you do at least get to deal with the LL directly that way

emsywoo123

I've got 2 cats AND 2 children.... and I am a single parent, imagine the joys of renting with that dynamic combo :rotfl:

I saw this house that was *perfect* for us, it did not mention pets either way, so I called the agent and explained my situation, using my very best posh voice :rotfl: and asked them to check with the landlord.

It was a very popular house, they did one a one day viewing, 6 families expressed interest, but LL accepted my brood and I. I have no idea why, as you would think single income would actually be a far more risky/limiting factor, but we have been here 7 months and still love it.

Just keep trying, I think is my message. But do not lie. The stress would be too much! When they wanted to do inspection for example, they were happy to wait until I could get out of work for a bit, as I said I did not want to risk the cats getting out, and they were fine about it.

Vectis

Try and find a property directly from a LL. You could try the old fashioned way - to look in the classifieds in the local paper. Be willing to offer a larger deposit to cover any damage/extra cleaning.

Try and stress the positives about yourselves when talking to the LL to counteract the pets element. Do you have decent jobs, a good credit history, can you provide good references? Unfortunately, I'm doubtful about any of those as you appear to be living with your parents at present - unless this has been a temporary measure since a previous relationship break up?

How old are the cats? Maybe, just a suggestion, they might prefer to stay where they are?

Cakeguts

Keep trying. There are landlords out there that accept pets you just have to find one.

Kittylah

emsywoo123 wrote: »

I've got 2 cats AND 2 children.... and I am a single parent, imagine the joys of renting with that dynamic combo :rotfl:

I saw this house that was *perfect* for us, it did not mention pets either way, so I called the agent and explained my situation, using my very best posh voice :rotfl: and asked them to check with the landlord.

It was a very popular house, they did one a one day viewing, 6 families expressed interest, but LL accepted my brood and I. I have no idea why, as you would think single income would actually be a far more risky/limiting factor, but we have been here 7 months and still love it.

Just keep trying, I think is my message. But do not lie. The stress would be too much! When they wanted to do inspection for example, they were happy to wait until I could get out of work for a bit, as I said I did not want to risk the cats getting out, and they were fine about it.

Omigosh I can only imagine the stress that must of been, I'm so happy for you that you found somewhere so good! It's really motivating to hear stories like that. :')

Kittylah

Vectis wrote: »

Try and find a property directly from a LL. You could try the old fashioned way - to look in the classifieds in the local paper. Be willing to offer a larger deposit to cover any damage/extra cleaning.

Try and stress the positives about yourselves when talking to the LL to counteract the pets element. Do you have decent jobs, a good credit history, can you provide good references? Unfortunately, I'm doubtful about any of those as you appear to be living with your parents at present - unless this has been a temporary measure since a previous relationship break up?

How old are the cats? Maybe, just a suggestion, they might prefer to stay where they are?

You have doubted wrong. I assure you we're not teenagers with no jobs etc. We're literally good to go on everything, we've just been living with our parents/siblings to save up cause it's London but now it's time to leave the nest. The cats are literally the only problem haha!

The cats are only just turning 1 so they'll be fine to adjust. To be fair, I feel like my mother wants to keep one but we'll see. :rotfl:

I'll have to check out some more direct LL ones though, thanks for the advice!

Sagz_2

Good advice here: https://www.letswithpets.org.uk

FBaby

Are you looking for a flat or a house? If flat, it could be an issue with the lease anyway, so nothing LL can do.

Also, LL with flats might be more anxious if cats can't go out, so reliant on litter, who can turn very smelly. You say your cats are very clean, but anyone would say that.

Your best chance with be a house owned by someone who's got cats too.

Dorian1958

As a LL, I allow pets. As far as I am concerned, not to do so cuts you off from 40-50% of the available market, bad for business. Age, number and pet type are all specified and agreed in writing (to avoid any issues about extra pets finding their way into the property). I don't use a LA, but I suspect the no pets rule is just an automatic arbitrary condition, not necessarily formally specified by the LL. You could ask the LA to ask the LL if the rule could be waived, if you offered to professionally clean the carpets on exit. Faced with the prospect of having a void period or having a tenant with a couple of cats, I know what I would prefer. Apart from anything else, given the challenges you may face in finding alternative property to rent, you are likely to remain a tenant for longer. Good luck.

[Deleted User]

I'm a LL and I accept one dog - but not cats, simply because of the experience of a friend of mine who let to someone with 2 cats. They left claw marks on the door frames of most rooms (presumably sharpening their claws); they left rips in the long curtains, one of the blinds was half pulled down, and they had peed on the carpet to the extent that even when she threw out the carpet (which was only 2 years old), the smell had soaked through to the floorboards beneath, and some of them had to be replaced. Not surprisingly, the tenant lost most of her deposit. So, be careful what you wish for.

Good luck with your search. (Sorry to sound so negative).