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

Scotbot

AdrianC said:

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.

There is always that risk and the obvious solution is to buy freehold but if OP is unable to buy freehold the best she can do is ensure it starts out pet friendly. Plus f it is a small block where there are already pets there is strength in numbers.

eddddy

Scotbot said:
Plus f it is a small block where there are already pets there is strength in numbers.

Unfortunately, there's no strength in numbers. If just one leaseholder complains of a breach, the freeholder must take action.

FWIW, I think the opposite might be the case.

I know of a block where a flat owner keeps a dog, it's very occasional yapping mildly annoys other flat owners, but not enough to make them complain. But if more pets moved into more flats, each with mild annoyances (like smelly cat litter in the communal bins etc), the accumulation of all the annoyances might result in complaints.

avawat20

If you 'just sneak them in' then you are breaching the lease and that means the leasehold company could theoretically take over ownership of your flat. Also it's inconsiderate to neighbours who may have major allergies - I live in a flat where we have to have permission and someone has snuck a cat in and my other neighbours have family with severe allergies who are affected by it just being in the building! I wouldn't risk giving up your cats or having your property taken away from you so I would look for a place with a lease that allows pets. Easier said than done but probably easier than any future legal challenge...