Advice needed: Pet in leasehold flat

VincentVincent

Does anybody here live in a leasehold flat which doesn't prohibit pets? I'm inclined to think prohibiting pets is actually a standard clause in leasehold agreements which is just generally ignored or unknown until it becomes an issue in individual cases.

Unless it's a new build, leasehold agreements tend to be archaic and haven't been updated in decades. They're long, detailed documents which include all sorts of things which are either irrelevant to modern society or completely ignored and nobody bats an eye.

My point being; OP may find it difficult to find a leasehold flat which officially allows pets and will merely be in the same risk/reward situation of breaking the agreement elsewhere.

VincentVincent

Crumble2018 wrote: »

We've just moved into a flat, and the lease says absolutely nothing about pets. However, we were sent a welcome pack from the Housing Association last week which states that you must ask permission to keep a pet (at a cost of £60!!) and that Dogs were not allowed at all. Which is amusing as 2 of our direct neighbours each have 2 dogs! Neighbour downstairs has been there 10 years with dogs, so clearly either they don't enforce it, or nobody has complained.

My point exactly. Unless you're buying a freehold property, you likely don't have much choice. You have to take the risk of neighbours complaining.

onwards&upwards

It’s just visiting. There are retirement flats where kids aren’t allowed to live but there are often loads of visiting grandchildren in them at various times!

I’d crack on, don’t overthink it.

need_an_answer

VincentVincent wrote: »

Does anybody here live in a leasehold flat which doesn't prohibit pets? I'm inclined to think prohibiting pets is actually a standard clause in leasehold agreements which is just generally ignored or unknown until it becomes an issue in individual cases.

Unless it's a new build, leasehold agreements tend to be archaic and haven't been updated in decades. They're long, detailed documents which include all sorts of things which are either irrelevant to modern society or completely ignored and nobody bats an eye.

My point being; OP may find it difficult to find a leasehold flat which officially allows pets and will merely be in the same risk/reward situation of breaking the agreement elsewhere.

I have 2 leasehold flats where pets are permitted.The first complex will allow them at a charge of £80 the second property just wish you to add the pet to a register of animals onsite.

It varies hugely between management companies and leases as to what is acceptable

I have 2 other properties where pets are an absolute no.

Crumble2018

VincentVincent wrote: »

My point exactly. Unless you're buying a freehold property, you likely don't have much choice. You have to take the risk of neighbours complaining.

We occasionally hear the dogs barking, but it doesn't bother me. The flat opposite has a cat, and is also completely unaware about any pet clauses because the lease itself doesn't restrict them.

bouicca21

VincentVincent wrote: »

Does anybody here live in a leasehold flat which doesn't prohibit pets? I'm inclined to think prohibiting pets is actually a standard clause in leasehold agreements which is just generally ignored or unknown until it becomes an issue

Mine allows one small cat dog or bird.

Skiddaw1

VincentVincent wrote: »

Does anybody here live in a leasehold flat which doesn't prohibit pets? I'm inclined to think prohibiting pets is actually a standard clause in leasehold agreements which is just generally ignored or unknown until it becomes an issue in individual cases.

Unless it's a new build, leasehold agreements tend to be archaic and haven't been updated in decades. They're long, detailed documents which include all sorts of things which are either irrelevant to modern society or completely ignored and nobody bats an eye.

My point being; OP may find it difficult to find a leasehold flat which officially allows pets and will merely be in the same risk/reward situation of breaking the agreement elsewhere.

I agree. We first rented and subsequently owned a leasehold flat for some years and plenty of the residents had pets (mainly cats and small dogs) despite the leasehold not allowing pets of any sort. I think it's a standard clause and as has been said, unless there's an issue (and a neighbour complains) it's unlikely to cause a problem.

lookstraightahead

onwards&upwards wrote: »

It’s just visiting. There are retirement flats where kids aren’t allowed to live but there are often loads of visiting grandchildren in them at various times!

I’d crack on, don’t overthink it.

This is what I would have thought too.

Crumble2018

Personally, if he doesn't really bark, I'd just risk it.

seradane

Ultimately, the only way you'll know whether this place is a 'yeah its a token clause' sort of place or a 'busybody neighbor with a stickler for the rules' place is once you've moved in... so you just have to decide if it's worth the risk? And worst-case scenario, what will happen if at some point you get told that the dog isn't ok and needs to go?