Allergic neighbours..

We've inherited a cat and have a bit of a problem.. we live in the main level of a house with another family in the basement. All entrances and utilities are separate, which includes the furnace and ducting. We've had our furball for almost a month, and now we're being told that the tenant downstairs is having an allergic reaction. I think it's an act, as this was only brought up after they were able to get photographic evidence of the cats existence on the premises.. We've also been having other problems with these neighbours, however our landlords are requesting we find alternate housing for our new feline friend. 

What I'm wondering is:

Does this make sense to the cat lovers out there, that she could be so symptomatic so suddenly? Especially with everything separate...there's no real way that the allergens should be getting downstairs that I can think of.

Also. how bad is it possible this could get in terms of affecting her overall health? The concern from the landlord is that she will actually get sick and then file a lawsuit against us (yes, it's deteriorated to that point).

Any thoughts would be appreciated

@Beany22

The best cat was friends with some lawyers. what state are u in? do u have a written lease? does it prohibit pets? do u want to move? when is your (written) lease up?

where we come from it is the landlords responsibility to ban things like animals and smoking IN WRITING, for the protection of themselves and/or other tenants, otherwise the pet owner/smoker/etc. wins

if you have a 30 day oral lease well...the basement tenant's beef is with the landlord-not U

I'm in Canada .. I haven't had a chance to find the written lease to see what's stipulated there, but I'll definitely take a look. We don't want to move, and are looking forward to the downstairs tenants departure, however we don't want to make things worse with the landlord, who are friends of a very good friend of mine.

I'll resume looking for the lease tomorrow and see if I can find some stronger ground to stand on. I was more curious about how sudden the onset of symptoms were, if that was normal, or if it was perhaps "assisted" for the meeting with the landlord.

Hi Beany,

To be honest if your neighbour isn't coming into direct contact with your cat, for example sharing a laundry room where she might pick up cat hair or sharing any other space where she might breath in dust from your cat, I think it's very unlikely that she is allergic to him.

Most allergies are to cat hair or to dry cat saliva, which can get into the air after the cats grooms himself. If you don't share any utility rooms and the cat doesn't ever go into her apartment she's not likely to come into contact with this. If she were really so sensitive as to have an allergic reaction through the walls then she would be affected by every stray cat in the street outside. It sounds to me as if she is just making this up to cause trouble.

She would need to be able to prove that her allergic reaction was A. Genuine and B. Caused by your cat before she could take any action against you.

Does your cat go outside or stay in your apartment all the time? 

Is the downstairs neighbour planning to move?

I would venture to guess this neighbor either just doesn't like cats or is afraid of them (surprising how many people are    )

If your lease doesn't allow cats what the reason is doesn't matter (at least here), the cat goes with or without you.

If you have no written lease you could try to have a meeting (in a lawyer or other witnesses office) to get it in writing from the landlord and neighbor that you will buy her an air purifier for her apartment and you are now allowed to have the cat. That would probably cost 1000$ for both. otherwise legally you are violating your lease and you need to beg for time to find the cat another home, maybe with your mutual friend, until this problem tenant moves out?

This reminds me of another thread:
http://www.thecatsite.com/t/269751/downstairs-neighbor-complaining-about-allergies

there's some good advice there too, I suggest reading this.