indoor cat in a flat

stu12345_2

I rent from council, secure tenancy for last 10 years. I live in a flat on 1st floor, there are only ground and 1st floor, I have my own garden but a communal entrance door.

I have had 2 elderly indoor only cats from cat protection league charity in the past whilst living here., they usually want to see tenancy agreement before you get cat, normally cos of private lets having a blanket ban on pets.

I'm am an avid cat lover and will be till I die, and intended to own  cats in my life for next 20 years till I'm old.
the charity said councils, housing associations etc are always usually fine with indoor only  cats in a flat, so no need to see tenancy. this time

anyway I wanted clarification from my council cos their pet policy doesn't differentiate between an indoor or outdoor cat in a flat, where as other housing associations do, where they say no problem with an indoor only cat.

I was told housing officer will call you back immediately, as I had reserved an elderly indoor cat by that point from cats protection league.

no call came, so I bought cat and she's very happy here, fast forward to yesterday, ( 4 months after my call to council). they said they won't allow any cats in flats, sorry for the delay in the reply as they had no officer to cover my area.

I complained, they said they will turn a blind eye on this occasion,  I said every social landlord I know says it's fine indoor only cat in a flat.
 I mean it isn't going to bite anyone, she lives indoors and only goes outside when going to vet in my car., for goodness sake I said.

my neighbour downstairs has a dog, he has learning difficulties and was allowed a companion dog, that has grown up above max height policy for companion dogs and barks at every noise outside. and I'm refused an indoor cat that makes no noise, etc.

they said they will bring cat policy up in next council meeting. I said what about the future, am I prevented having a cat, yes they said.
they said many folk never declare it having either  an indoor or outdoor cat in a flat, but risk their tenancy  if found out.
but I'm now worried about any future cat charities checking my council pet policy and refusing an elderly indoor cat.

the other way is get some random cat on Gumtree, but I always use a cat charity for a healthy, indoor cat, that has medical history and is in desperate need for a new home

Flugelhorn

what is the question? 

Mr.Generous

When the next government gets round to passing a Renters Reform Bill of some description allowing pets as the norm was part of the (cross party agreed) plans. This will probably happen in the next 5 years I'd guess.

However all governments have a nasty habit of exempting councils from anythging that's going to have a cost associated with it, so I could see the rules being applied to private let's only, but who knows.

Anyway, some light at the end of the tunnel.

Flugelhorn

Mr.Generous said:

When the next government gets round to passing a Renters Reform Bill of some description allowing pets as the norm was part of the (cross party agreed) plans. This will probably happen in the next 5 years I'd guess.

However all governments have a nasty habit of exempting councils from anythging that's going to have a cost associated with it, so I could see the rules being applied to private let's only, but who knows.

Anyway, some light at the end of the tunnel.

I have a flat where the lease forbids any animals in the flats or grounds (even visitors) and everyone who buys there accepts this, if they let the flats out the tenant has to agree too - not sure how any reform bill would amend the lease of everyone in the block 

LinLui

I am unclear why you would stir up this hornets nest in the way that you have. You previously had cats in your flat against your tenancy conditions, and you knew this. You have made it clear that you knew your council - what anyone else does is irrlevant - does not allow pet cats, whether indoor cats or not - and you had cats in your flat. You knew when trying to arrange for a new cat that this was the policy, and you knew what that policy was. No cats. The amount of time it took for them to respond to your query is irrelevant - the policy said no cats and you went off and got one anyway. 

A disabled person has the right by law to have a service / assistance animal, and your neighbours dog is permitted under the law. If a service dog is creating a disturbance or trouble, then you have the same rights to complain about it as you would with any other dog. It is then for the council to make a determination about the circumstances. You do not have a disability and your cat is not an auxiliary aid (the "definition" of a service animal). So it is inappropriate to complain on this basis, and will not win you any points. In fact, by trying to make such a comparison your may undermine your own argument - the law says that they must allow reasonable adjustments for those with disabilities, and if you start trying to unpick exceptions by complaining about people with disabilities, the council may well simply decide that "black and white" is best - no other dogs or cats allowed full stop. 

So you have a choice. Stay silent - they've said they won't take any action, although without any guarantee (although if the cat is indoors it is hardly likely anyone will ever notice). Make sure that you have moved elsewhere before you get another cat / move elsewhere. Or you can speak to your local councillor and try to get the rule changed - but if that doesn't work out then you are highlighting that you continue to break your tenancy agreement, and they may then decide to take action - the higher the profile you adopt the more likely they are to say that they won't make an exception. 

LinLui

Mr.Generous said:

When the next government gets round to passing a Renters Reform Bill of some description allowing pets as the norm was part of the (cross party agreed) plans. This will probably happen in the next 5 years I'd guess.

However all governments have a nasty habit of exempting councils from anythging that's going to have a cost associated with it, so I could see the rules being applied to private let's only, but who knows.

Anyway, some light at the end of the tunnel.

To be honest, the proposals only change the emphasis, allowing pets unless the landlord has reason to say otherwise. There are so many possible reasons to say otherwise that it would barely make any difference. 

propertyrental

indoor/outdoor cats? A cat is a cat. A 'no cats' policy is a no cats policy.

Comparing with downstairs is irrelevant - even if it were a 'normal' (not 'companion' dog) 2 wrongs don't make a right - downstairs having a dog would not set a precedent. But in this case the dog is allowed as a 'companion' so doubly irrelevant.

You can only hope the HA amend their policy at the council meeting (I assume you will be present and arguing your case?) but I would not hold your breath.

Failing that, you can

* keep the cat and hope they don't enforce the policy

* give the cat away

* move to a property where cats are permitted

AlexMac

i have had 2 elderly indoor only cats from cat protection league charity in the past whilst living here….
SO NO PROBLEM …
I wanted clarification from my council…
WHY? THEY WONT CARE? NO ONE EVER ASKS FOR PERMISSION 

I was told housing officer will call you back… no call came, so I bought cat..
AS ANYONE WOULD

(then) they said they will turn a blind eye on this occasion… SO NO PROBLEM 

they said they will bring cat policy up in next council meeting… BUT THEY HAVE MUCH MORE PRESSING PROBLEMS SO WON’T

I said what about the future, am I prevented having a cat… WHY LEAD WITH YOUR CHIN?

yes they said (but) they said many folk never declare either  an indoor or outdoor cat… CAN’T YOU TAKE A HINT? THEY DONT CARE IF YOU HAVE A CAT!

but I'm now worried about any future cat charities checking my council pet policy … FEAR NOT. AS BOB MARLEY SANG “ Don’t worry , bout a ting, cos every little ting, goona be alright…”. 

ENJOY YOUR LOVELY NEW CAT

OUR GRANDDAUGHTER LIVES IN AN EX-COUNCIL FLAT WHICH WE OWN. SHE HAS TWO CATS. AS DID OUR PREVIOUS TENANTS OVER MANY YEARS. NEVER A PROBLEM. DON’ T MAKE ONE FOR YOURSELF!

Jemma01

I'm baffled by your attempts to be painful. Why rent from the council if you'll dishonour the policy? Either move out and get a zoo of cats, or stay and adhere to the policy.

stu12345_2

my argument is every housing association I've rented from states indoor cat is fine in flat, but outdoor only if you have your own front and back door.
thr council , whoever designed their pet policy didn't differentiate between indoor and outdoor cat, thats my argument , it's as if a lazy person designed the pet policy.

I mean what harm can an indoor cat do to the down stairs neighbour?

propertyrental

A cat is a cat.

Next thing someone will be differentiating between a mute cat (google it!) and a non-mute cat.