Reasonable price for pet licence?

ThisTimeNextYear

We own a leasehold flat and one condition of the lease is we can't keep animals without permission. We'd like to have a cat, so we enquired about the cost. The leaseholder replied "£220 + VAT !Please note that a Licence to Keep a pet is granted on the strict understanding that this could be revoked if we receive complaints of fouling and or noise. "

This seemed unreasonable to me, and from what I've read, the landlord can only charge reasonable costs. I asked them for a breakdown of costs but they weren't able to provide any. I offered to pay £20 +vat to cover their costs if they could just send me an email granting permission. Unsurprisingly, they refused.

I asked the leasehold advisory service for advice and they said "Regrettably I am unable to comment on the reasonableness or otherwise of the charges save to suggest that you may need to consider making an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) (the FTT) for a determination about the reasonableness or !otherwise of the charge. There is an application fee of £100 with a hearing fee of £200 should the matter proceed to a hearing."

Does anyone know what the worst case scenario is if they find we have gone ahead with getting a pet without permission? We don't want to breach our lease terms, but we're not happy about paying so much money for what costs them absolutely nothing. Alternatively the FTT option could cost even more!

Any advice appreciated!

da_rule

That’s exactly why they charge that much, as they know it’ll cost you the same if not more to challenge them.

Worst case scenario they take legal action against you for breach of lease, obtain an injunction compelling you to remove the pet and you’ll probably end up paying their legal costs.

It could be worth putting together a letter before action warning them that you intend to take action at the tribunal as their costs are not reasonable and they have been unable to support their costs despite you asking them to do so. The tribunal does, especially where a party has acted unreasonably, have the power to award costs, so there is an outside chance that you could recover your costs if you went to the tribunal.

eddddy

ThisTimeNextYear wrote: »

Does anyone know what the worst case scenario is if they find we have gone ahead with getting a pet without permission? We don't want to breach our lease terms, but we're not happy about paying so much money for what costs them absolutely nothing. Alternatively the FTT option could cost even more!

The freeholder might send you letters telling you to stop breaching your lease covenants - and charging you an admin fee for each letter sent.

They might also instruct a solicitor to send you letters - and then charge you for the solicitor's fee.

In theory, ultimately your lease could be forfeited - i.e. you lose the flat, with no compensation.

boliston

if it's an indoor cat i'm not sure how anyone would ever know you had one - on the other hand a cat that is allowed into communal areas could cause a lot of nuisance to other residents

G_M

Setting aside the strange matter that it's the leaseholder making this demand of you, it may well be justifiable on the grounds that a solicitor will draw up the licence.

If you want a cat enough, pay for the licence and make sure the poor animal is kept suitably restricted so as not to annoy the neighbours.


:whistle:

need_an_answer

Our pet consent on one property was free,on another £80 so it would seem that £220 is quite an amount!

I guess its done to detract owners from having pets.Its possibly one of those situations where they feel the more they charge the less likely the complex will house animals.

Red-Squirrel_2

If the cat is going to be restricted to your flat for it’s entire life how will you ensure all it’s needs are met for exercise and mental stimulation?

If permission is ever withdrawn are you prepared to sell up and move to somewhere the cat is allowed or would you get rid of the cat to keep your home? If the latter, don’t get the cat.

agrinnall

Why did you buy a property that clearly discourages pet ownership then decide to have a pet? Wait until you have a property that is suitable for a cat to live in (and outside of).

Davesnave

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

If permission is ever withdrawn are you prepared to sell up and move to somewhere the cat is allowed or would you get rid of the cat to keep your home? If the latter, don’t get the cat.

They've already got the cat.


Seems to me they're now as entitled to everything that's coming to them as they are to have a cat without permission.

Exodi

When I was renting and asked the EA about the implications of housing a pet, I was told I'd need to pay a 'pet deposit' of £50 (which in my mind is justified as insurance against damage the pet may cause).

Now £200 is pretty steep but still seems reasonable (should the pet claw up all the carpets) but the crux is whether this is a refundable amount or if you're just giving them £200+ out of the goodness of your heart to go on a jolly with?

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

If the cat is going to be restricted to your flat for it’s entire life how will you ensure all it’s needs are met for exercise and mental stimulation?

Behave will you.

iammumtoone

While its a lot of money I can kind of see why its that much.


For the benefit of all residents they don't want people to get a pet on a whim only to leave it to its own devices annoying the neighbours.


One way of stopping this to encourage responsible pet ownership is to put a large price tag on the privalage.


Of course this protects you as well if your neigbours were the kind who would let a dog bark all day and night.