Debate with Landlady – Right to have a pet
My partner and I moved into a privately rented flat 2 months ago. We really get on with our landlady and are good tenants. The property is always spotless, bills are always paid on time and we really do look after our home. 
When we moved, we were asked by the letting agent if we had a pet. (At the time) the answer was a no. They confirmed that their ‘standard’ clause was ‘no pets’, however there is a clause that states we could have a pet with the landlord’s written consent (and this can be broken at any time).
I called the letting agent as my partner and I have decided that we would really like a kitten. We have both had experience in owning a pet and my other half is at home everyday (he works a couple mins away from our flat).
I e-mailed our landlady to ask if it would be possible to have a kitten. Initially, she said no due to the above standard clause. I then pointed out that in black and white on the tenancy agreement, (directly underneath the ‘no pets’ clause, ironically), it states that if the landlord gave written consent, we could keep an animal.
She then responded by saying she will speak to the Management company as this is a separate contract and will come back to me 🙁
So I’m a bit annoyed, and very upset. This is HER contract and we signed the agreement which stated that we could have an animal with written consent.
Landlords/Tenants, I would really appreciate your advice as to where we stand!
Extra bit of info – She is coming over early next week to do an inspection, which we are not worried about in the slightest and we have agreed that we will advise her if the answer is a ‘no’, we will be moving as this would have affected our initial decision.
Regards
Lala Roto
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Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12210 - Articles: 1411
1:17 PM, 8th October 2014, About 12 years ago
It could be worse …. you could be asking your landlord for permission to have one of these!!!
This picture of my 10 month old puppy was taken this Sunday whilst I was trying to have an afternoon snooze LOL
Tatra Mountain dogs keep growing until they are 4 years old 😀
Member Since October 2014 - Comments: 9
1:25 PM, 8th October 2014, About 12 years ago
Thank you for all the comments!
I will just firstly clear one thing up – I KNOW I don’t have permission from the LL and I also know it is her right to refuse.
What I am annoyed about is at no point in the duration of myself and my partner signing the tenancy agreement were we told you could never have a pet whilst living in the flat.
We were always told that SHOULD we be given written permission, then yes we can.
I’m angry that the contract we signed stating the above may well be void (or at the very least that clause would be), should our LL speak to the management company (who we were never told about) and they then make the final decision as they have a separate contract.
Dependant on the response from the management company, these two contracts may contradict each other and this is what I am annoyed about as if we were told it was a ‘no-go’ from the start, we would not have moved in.
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12210 - Articles: 1411
1:31 PM, 8th October 2014, About 12 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Lala Roto” at “08/10/2014 – 13:25“:
I must admit to missing the fact that it was a flat when I first read your question. Accordingly it is increasingly unlikely that you will be granted permission to have a kitten I’m afraid.
I’m sure that if you were to ask for permission to have a goldfish that permission would be highly likely to be granted. Accordingly the contract is valid and you certainly don’t appear to have any rights to terminate it early if permission to have a kitten is denied.
If it was so important to you at the time you moved in to be granted permission to have a kitten why didn’t you obtain that permission in writing prior to signing the contract?
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Member Since November 2013 - Comments: 149
1:31 PM, 8th October 2014, About 12 years ago
Im sorry Lala, if this were THAT important to you I think you should have been more thorough at the start… i know its not what you want to hear but i cant see any blame here to Landlord or agent.
Member Since February 2011 - Comments: 3454 - Articles: 286
1:33 PM, 8th October 2014, About 12 years ago
Hi Lala,
If renting your flat was conditional on your ability to have a kitten, did you officially ask for permission before signing the tenancy?
Member Since February 2011 - Comments: 3454 - Articles: 286
1:37 PM, 8th October 2014, About 12 years ago
IMHO as an owner cats require the stimulus of outdoors
Member Since October 2014 - Comments: 9
1:38 PM, 8th October 2014, About 12 years ago
Yes. The letting agent said that their standard stance was ‘no pets’, but they did confirm that other tenants have animals and it is up to the LL’s discretion.
I’m by no means saying I assumed she would say yes. I just simply do not understand how other tenants in our building have cats, yet our request has been referred to the management company of the building (which we were not told would be done when signing the tenancy). We were told it would be the LL’s decision, not the management company’s.
If she says no, then that’s her prerogative to do so and we will respect that, but I do not think we have been treated fairly.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 104 - Articles: 3
1:45 PM, 8th October 2014, About 12 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Lala Roto” at “08/10/2014 – 13:38“:
I’ve not commented for a while but this discussion has grabbed my attention.
Lala, you may not be very popular with the other residents if your protests lead to your neighbors having to find new homes for their poor little kitties at the bequest of the management company. Rules are rules!
It could have been worse for you though, just imagine if you had purchased the leasehold of the flat as your first home! Who would you be angry with then?
Member Since October 2014 - Comments: 9
1:54 PM, 8th October 2014, About 12 years ago
I have been polite, but I’m quite shocked at the negativity directed at me following this post!
I’m sure I’m probably thought of as naïve, but I thought if something is printed in a contract which you sign, then it is binding, and any other alternatives have to be advised to you prior to completing/signing the contract. Otherwise, you are not fully informed.
Silly me then.
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12210 - Articles: 1411
1:58 PM, 8th October 2014, About 12 years ago
Reply to the comment left by “Lala Roto” at “08/10/2014 – 13:54“:
Hi Lala
I am disappointed you feel that way. I think people have been very generous to take time out to respond to you and I cannot see any responses which I would consider to be impolite. I can see understand that you are frustrated that the advice you are being given is not wanted you wanted to hear but that is very different to being ridiculed, which you haven’t been.
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