Considering that most cat lovers consider their cat to be a member of their family, the thought of being separated from them is obviously unappealing.
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However, because of worries about dander, odours, fleas, and furniture damage, many landlords do not allow cats.
Can your landlord forbid you from owning cats?
It relies on a variety of variables.
Your landlord will unintentionally force you to give up your cat if you are willing to give up your pet in order to rent a room in a shared house, for instance.
If you’re set on keeping your cat, you’ll need to seek homes that allow pets.
Some apartments do not permit pets.
We’d also want to point you that many landlords like dogs but may forbid cats from staying on their properties.
The main cause of this is because compared to dogs, cats spend a lot more time indoors. They consequently stand a greater danger of destroying the furniture in their home.
Comparatively, adult dogs rarely exhibit any interest in upholstered furniture like couches or armchairs. Cats must regularly trim their nails, thus they may accidentally cause damage to these places.
If you’ve already signed a rental agreement and it didn’t mention pets, you’re in for a tricky legal situation.
If your landlord does not make this rule explicit, they cannot make you give up having a cat. Are cats destructive to rental property?
regrettably, absolutely.
There are a few strategies to avoid damage to rented property, such making sure your cat’s nails are regularly cut or utilizing furniture protectors.
For instance, you can buy a complete sofa cover; some of the models are rather thick. As a result, the material below won’t be pierced by your cat’s nails.
There are lateral scratch guards as well, and most of them are made of solid plastic to safeguard your furniture.
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Rent-a-furniture damage caused by cats
Cat “accidents” are another method in which they can harm a rented home.
It makes sense that cats who haven’t been spayed or neutered might occasionally spray, which is why there would be a general pee odour.
Accidents involving feces or urine can also leave stains on upholstered furniture or carpet.
Most cats shave their fur. The two times a year when they must replace their coats, before the winter and before the summer, they engage in major shedding episodes.
If you are aware that your cat sheds a lot, you should take them to the groomer for a quick trim before these times.
Cat hair is extremely difficult to remove since it sticks to everything, which is another reason why landlords may not allow pets.
The benefits and drawbacks of not telling your landlord about your cat
The perks of keeping your cat a secret from your landlord are few. The fact that you’ll still be able to live with your pet for a shorter period of time is perhaps the sole pro.
On the other hand, keeping your cat a secret from your landlord has a lot of drawbacks.
You may find yourself in serious legal trouble since your landlord has the right to sue you, especially if your lease expressly forbids dogs in the rented space.
You can find yourself facing a decision over what to do with your pet.
Ask your landlord if you can acquire a cat.
If they cannot move to a property that allows pets, sadly, many individuals choose to give their cats away to a friend or a rehoming organization.
The best advise we can provide you is to be upfront and honest from the start so that your landlord knows what to expect from you and the rental property.
You’ll prevent any future issues if you immediately disclose to your prospective landlord that you have a cat.
Lying to a landlord about having dogs doesn’t go over well.
You can choose the homes you might desire and be able to live in right away by automatically keeping your cat in mind.
What Might Take Place If Your Landlord Learns You Have a Cat
They may expel you as the first potential outcome.
If your lease is explicit about it and you’ve broken the terms, your landlord may choose to give you a certain number of days before evicting you.
If your landlord learns that you own a cat, you can be asked to leave.
However, not all landlords are like this, and some may be more forgiving.
However, you might be required to pay for and put protective covers on the majority of the furniture.
Your hiding a cat could get you sued by your landlord
However, given that you won’t have to deal with the inconvenience of hunting for a new location or deciding what to do with your belongings, that seems like a reasonable and acceptable request.
How to Keep Your Cat Secret from the Landlord
There may be instances where doing something is necessary, despite the fact that we do not advise it because you risk getting into big problems.
