Hi everyone,
Many of us have probably been in the same situation before… we can’t afford to buy a place, so rely on renting a place but many landlords not just in the UK but many countries around the world won’t allow having a pet!
In fact, one of our good friends Artemis & Apollo from themmainecoonlife recently lost their home because a scrupulous landlord kicked them out and they ended up having to camp on the road before they found temporary accommodation while hunting for a new pet-friendly place to rent…
This is why we think it’s pawesome that one of our largest charities here in the UK has launched a campaign to help give renters a chance to care for cats!
Full details below.
Thanks,
Marc
Purrfect Landlords Campaign to Help Give Renters Chance to own Cats
Cats Protection has launched a major new campaign to help more people living in rented housing own a pet cat.
One of the UK’s largest cat charities is offering free guidance to landlords and letting agents, to help ensure that tenancy agreements reflect modern day living.
Issues over finding cat-friendly housing have been one of the top five reasons recorded by Cats Protection for cats being handed into the charity’s adoption centres over the past 12 months. Cats Protection’s research shows that less than half (42%) of private rented housing allows cats.
Jacqui Cuff, Cats Protection’s Head of Advocacy & Government Relations, said: “More and more people are renting their homes either by choice or necessity, yet very few rented properties accept cats. This means tenants are missing out on being able to own a cat, while landlords may be losing out on attracting responsible and settled tenants.”
The charity has launched a new website full of guidance for landlords and tenants about allowing cats into their properties and addressing any concerns. The website, at www.cats.org.uk/purrfectlandlords includes free, downloadable legal wording for landlords and letting agents add to their own tenancy agreements, setting out simple conditions on cat ownership to protect and benefit both landlords and tenants.
Jacqui added: “We hear from renters who tell us most adverts state ‘no pets’.Often, the reason for not allowing cats is simply habit, with a third of landlords who don’t accept cats saying they didn’t proactively choose to ban cats, but instead followed a standard template or advice from a letting agent.
“The aim of Cats Protection’s Purrfect Landlords campaign is to transform renting so that responsible cat ownership benefits both landlords and tenants – happy landlords, happy tenants, happy cats.
“Becoming a cat-friendly landlord means advertising properties as ‘pets considered’ which ensures landlords stay in control and can make a decision once they’ve met their potential tenant.
“Our downloadable example cat clauses can then be simply added to existing tenancy agreements and they include tenancy conditions to require cats to be neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. This helps to ensure that cats are in the best of health and unlikely to cause any issues.
“We’re also offering advice to help tenants speak to their landlords to ask for permission to own a cat. Landlords are often willing to be flexible, especially as tenants with pets are likely to stay for longer.”
Private tenants who are able to own cats benefit immensely. Of those that own a cat, 94% report that their cat has a positive effect on their life such as making them happy, providing company and affection, or improving mental health.
Jacqui added: “The reality is that cats very rarely cause problems for landlords. In actual fact, many cat owners tell us that having a cat is what makes their house a home and helps them put down roots and value the home they’re living in.”
Dilys Barnes, of Gorleston, Norfolk, and her partner Steve are backing the campaign after they were forced to give up their own much-loved pet cat Buster.
The couple had to hand Buster over to Cats Protection in June 2018 when their landlord decided to sell their property, leaving them unable to find new rented housing which accepted cats.
Dilys said: “Every single advert we saw said ‘no pets’ and whenever we enquired, the answer was always no. We were devastated, and the whole thing was very traumatic. We loved him dearly, yet had to give him away, very much against our wishes.
“It seems so unfair, as he was our pet and no bother at all. We really miss him. I love cats, but I now find it very hard to stroke one when I see one in the street – it’s almost as if I’m too scared to get attached or enjoy their company as I know I cannot have my own pet cat.”
Broadcaster, writer and Cats Protection supporter Andrew Collins is backing the Purrfect Landlords campaign.
He said: “Cats are more than just much-loved pets, they’re part of the family and the heart of the home. For me, a home without a cat isn’t a home at all! They’ve got an important role to play in the lives of many people – from helping children understand about caring for others in providing a lifeline to pensioners who may otherwise feel isolated and lonely.
“It’s heartbreaking that so many renters are not able to own a cat but this needn’t be the case. Cats Protection’s Purrfect Landlords campaign is a major step forward in modernising how cat ownership is viewed in a rental market many people now rely on. By helping landlords see the benefits of happy, settled tenants, we can help more tenants experience the joy of sharing their lives with a feline friend.”
For more information, please visit www.cats.org.uk/purrfectlandlords
It took me a year of bothering my property manager to be able to have a cat. I really emphathized my living alone, not having family or friends living close by. I included pictures of the cats I had seen and reasons why it was the cat for me. I even gave my property manager time out so I wasn’t pestering my landlord. It took almost a year and I now have Mika! Cheers,H
It shouldn’t be that difficult!
Various schemes are hatched to discourage people from having pets in rentals, for sure. My landlord charged a $100 one time fee for pets, with a three small pets limit when I rented first in 2004. This past year, they had a change to a $1000 one time pet deposit with a two small pets limit. The protest against that got a change in the policy to something more pet-friendly. I think it’s still a month’s rent deposit and two small pets – I got in on the small fee and the new one doesn;t affect me – but it still is a lot for the elderly people who rent where I am.
The potential of losing the companionship of a pet is inhumane, especially if it means finding a new home for an older cat or dog. Your own experience of taking in two cats that were dumped underlines how pet rules can become a potential for pets ending up on the street after spending most of their lives as beloved companions, with the comforts of regular food, care, shelter.
And would it be going too far to suggest most cat lovers would keep properties clean and tidy as they look after their pets and want them to live in a pleasant, clean environment? A win-win situation for landlords?
What a lovely post!
Thank you 🙂
Every renter should be pemitted a cat, and also should accept the reality of liability for damages the cat may inflict on the owner’s property. The tenant should also keep noisy yowling and other pet noise under control. Pets should also be vaccinated against diseases that threaten the health of humans and animals.
The bane of my street is untrained barking dogs, and nearly everyone owns their own home!
Amen! If only this common sense would prevail :/
I know, I know! And nothing ever changes! Animal Control deputies are overworked and they’ve quit coming out to speak to the owners when they receive complaints. Dogs here tend to be fenced, for their safety and their neighbors’ sanity and protection. The unfenced dogs tend to be out of control and to run in the street and all over their neighbors’ property, where they leave free soil samples, bark at children, and menace adults. There are dog restraint laws with significant penalties, but most neighbors never report anything. If they do they’re considered cranks by the dogs’ owners. It’s a social, safety, and sanitary mess!
Oh dear :/. I can see why your little ones prefer the safety of your garden.
Yes, exactly!
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I had to spend $20 US per cat when I was in one apartment – which was at least manageable. I didn’t like it, though. I do understand concerns about cats scratching things, peeing on the carpets etc, but in most cases the carpets are removed after a tenant leaves anyway and there isn’t much to scratch that’s not mine.
My one halfway decent landlord said “I might have charged you a pet deposit if you’d had a dog, but I won’t if you just have cats. Dogs might destroy my stuff, but cats would just destroy your stuff so I’m not worried about it.” A bit blunt but ultimately a fair policy with the realities of the situation. He didn’t charge pet rent either.
I think cats are great for apartment living and can thrive in it.
The rental landscape sadly sounds quite dire all around the world. :/