People with pets and a leasehold that prohibits them - what did you do?

csgohan4

SaintJudy said:

hazyjo said:

So it worked out okay for one. It sounds very much like you're hearing what you want to hear. Read that disclaimer very carefully and please don't say "that would never happen". You cannot predict a cat's health or the future. There have been several indoor cats near me get out. One was missing for weeks. I've heard stories about how cats deal with things like blindness or dementia. Being more vocal is one way they may cope.

End of the day it's up to you so I'll just say good luck. Nothing else to add.

Sigh. What I'm interested in is actual experiences, while I appreciate everyone chipping in with their opinion, if it's coming from a place of opinion rather than actual experience then in fairness it's not what I asked about. I'm looking for all experiences, good and bad! 
I agree with your point because I also know very well about cats and their health, and have lived with cats for over 40 years and had my own for over 25. The criteria on my property search has been very much with my indoor cats in mind (any property has to have an airlock and not open straight into the outside, windows have to be suitable or adaptable) so I'm confident I know what I'm doing with that

Also realistically, you won't have the same freeholders as those people with experiences, bare that in mind. Do not get into a false sense of security with those positive experiences, 

Those experiences won't change what you need to do

NeilCr

annetheman said:

My lease - that I have not signed yet - also had a clause saying we could not keep pets unless explicit permission had been given, and then it was restricted to cats, dogs or birds.
I hounded the Housing Association (Shared Ownership) calling every day until I spoke to their Communities Manager and sent her pics of my cat lol.

She then sent me a form to sign a disclaimer with the usual info (I will look after my cat, not let it cause a nuisance, not let it roam, etc). I also sent records from my vet showing he is microchipped, neutered, vaccinated yearly, given flea-treatment bi-annually and is 100% indoor only. He doesn't need the flea treatment to be fair but oh well.

So I have the permission before I signed the lease, which is great because you never know if there are permission fees you'd have to pay once you sign - I'd get started getting some sort of signed agreement for them to let you keep your mogginses right away, before you even sign.

Does your lease say anything about what happens if your animal causes an annoyance and/or there are complaints?

AdrianC

Anne's lease says pets are OK with permission.
Judy's does not.

[Deleted User]

Leaseholder/owner here with cat and one earlier cat who passed away in the property. Been fine for 5 years. Dad nearly mis read the legals but pets are allowed - past owner had a dog even and I've listened to many a screaming newborn without complaining. Drugs and causing an unsightly mess a different matter and it didn't take long for the tenants of that place to be evicted.

NeilCr

AdrianC said:

Anne's lease says pets are OK with permission.
Judy's does not.

That's what I was driving at. I was just checking if there was a clause that Anne hadn't mentioned. 

Scotbot

I used to live opposite a development that was pet friendly albeit with conditions.  As a result a number of residents had dogs who I met on my dog walks, no idea about cats but I am sure there were some.  I  think finding out how many pets there are in this block is an excellent idea. Go and sound out the neighbours, knock on their doors explain you are looking to buy and wondered whether anyone owns a pets. if you get a hostile reaction there's your answer. 

AdrianC

Scotbot said:

I used to live opposite a development that was pet friendly albeit with conditions.  As a result a number of residents had dogs who I met on my dog walks, no idea about cats but I am sure there were some.  I  think finding out how many pets there are in this block is an excellent idea. Go and sound out the neighbours, knock on their doors explain you are looking to buy and wondered whether anyone owns a pets. if you get a hostile reaction there's your answer. 

Which is lovely until of those pet-agnostic people moves out, and a pet-hostile one moves in.

Alix09

I asked permission. and payed some money

Majoggy

Ultimately I think it's unlikely you'll find a completely watertight right to pets in a leasehold/share of freehold property.

There will always be an element of risk. Do your best to mitigate it by asking the management company/freeholder assocation questions, speak to neighbours etc.

If you're unwilling to tolerate any level of risk then it's going to be difficult I think.

annetheman

NeilCr said:

annetheman said:

My lease - that I have not signed yet - also had a clause saying we could not keep pets unless explicit permission had been given, and then it was restricted to cats, dogs or birds.
I hounded the Housing Association (Shared Ownership) calling every day until I spoke to their Communities Manager and sent her pics of my cat lol.

She then sent me a form to sign a disclaimer with the usual info (I will look after my cat, not let it cause a nuisance, not let it roam, etc). I also sent records from my vet showing he is microchipped, neutered, vaccinated yearly, given flea-treatment bi-annually and is 100% indoor only. He doesn't need the flea treatment to be fair but oh well.

So I have the permission before I signed the lease, which is great because you never know if there are permission fees you'd have to pay once you sign - I'd get started getting some sort of signed agreement for them to let you keep your mogginses right away, before you even sign.

Does your lease say anything about what happens if your animal causes an annoyance and/or there are complaints?

It says: Not to keep any animal or pet in the Property without the previous written

consent of the Landlord which consent if given may be withdrawn at any time if

the Landlord shall consider that such animal or pet has or may become a

nuisance or annoyance to any lessee of any other flats comprised in the Building.

So if another flat considers the pet to be a nuisance and the Landlord agrees, they will withdraw the permission.

The disclaimer permission form thing I signed is a lot more specific about the way in which my cat should be kept, even specifying how to get rid of its soiled litter, which I put in lavender-scented biodegradable bags anyway!

My advice would defo be to sort permission before signing the lease. And also look after your pet well so they're very unlikely to be a nuisance. And get evidence from your vet.