For too many people who rent, owning a cat has been a distant dream. Faced with a rental market that has frequently operated blanket ‘no pets’ policies, owning a cat has seemed impossible.
Some renters may have been lucky enough to find cat-friendly housing, but have lived in fear of having to move, aware that cat-friendly properties are few and far between. However, the Renters Rights Act will now make it easier for tenants in England to have a pet. Once your tenancy has begun, you are able to make a written request to your landlord that you would like to have a cat. So long as it is reasonable, the landlord must accept this request within 28 days. Cats Protection can help you find the perfect cat for your property, for example if there is no garden, we can help you find a cat that needs to live indoors.
Where you live in accommodation which has a head lease, and where that freeholder has set out conditions to your landlord that the property must not contain pets, or has building insurance where this is a condition, your landlord does not have to accept your request even if it is reasonable.
Your landlord must respond to your request to have a pet within 28 days. If they refuse (and if this is not due to a prohibition by the freeholder) and you believe that your request was reasonable, you can appeal their decision to the ombudsman.
Having to rehome a cat because you can’t find a rented property that accepts cats can be a heartbreaking experience. If you’re having trouble finding a property where you can keep your cat, you could try the following:
If you still feel unable to keep your cat, we're here to help. Call our National Information Helpline on 03000 12 12 12 for support and advice.
Ensuring a cat is well cared for is in the best interest of tenants, landlords and cats themselves. We recommend that tenancy agreements include conditions on cat ownership to avoid any issues arising, protect the cat’s welfare and ensure everyone knows where they stand.
This includes requirements that cats are:
Neutered – a simple procedure to prevent cats from breeding. If you are on a lower income, we may be able to offer financial assistance with this
Vaccinated – to protect cats from illness and disease
Microchipped – to ensure cats can be swiftly returned home if they become lost or injured
Treated for fleas and other parasites – to keep your cat healthy and comfortable, and maintain good hygiene levels in your rented home
Cats make fantastic pets and can thrive in many types of homes. From cosy flats to houses with gardens, the right match depends on the individual cat’s personality and needs. While many cats will enjoy having access to the great outdoors, others may be better suited to indoor living, making them ideal for flats or homes without gardens.
Cats who are blind, deaf or have some other disability may be best kept as indoor cats, while other cats with certain illnesses can lead happy, contented lives indoors.
When Anna and wife Mhairi moved to Bristol in 2017, they were looking forward to the birth of their first child and life in a new city.
But first they faced the major challenge of finding a new rented home where they could keep cats Boy and Badger.
Anna explained: “We had major difficulties finding somewhere, as so many adverts all stated ‘no pets’ and many places wouldn’t even let us book a viewing once we told them about the cats. Sometimes it was best to arrange to see a property first in the hope of meeting a landlord or letting agent so they could see we were sensible people and responsible pet owners, before then asking about the cats. Eventually, we found a brilliant private landlord that would take the cats which was a huge relief.”
