Property Problems (bit of a rant too)

sar · May 10, 2005

As most of you know, I was in the midst of the tiresome process of finding a house. Well, the good news is that we found one about 2 weeks ago and received the keys and everything was on the move....

....that was until we noticed that the information we had been told about the Landlord accepting pets wasn't actually correct. We have signed the agreement and noticed after out fifth read that they do not accept pets.

I have been trying to rectify this and ask them for some leniency, but they will not budge one inch. The property is not in tip-top condition (the toilet base is badly broken and there is evidence of an attempted breaking and entering....plus more....) and we have been told that the LL won't repair any of the damage because the house is old (?? it is pretty new!!) but we have just found out is because of me wanting to have my cats there)

There is also a cat flap on the property and definite evidence that a cat has been a resident - destroyed carpet in the corners by doors and rabbit-kicked bottom stair.

Having spoken to my Students' Union rep, and we have been given two options; to let the agent find us another property that accepts pets (problem: there are so few houses in the area that we would not get anything anywhere near what we need and we only have until June 3rd before we would be homeless) and option 2 is to move in anyway and wait until the LL tried to evict us and take us to court. With this option, we also have the right to get repairs and have a hearing regarding the cats.

What do you all think about this? I can't believe this!! I was honest with them from the start and now I am being persecuted for it!! I thought honesty was the best policy????

If (hypothetically) I did get rid of my two babies, what's stopping me from unlocking the cat flap and letting every cat into the house - pee and poo and all????!! GRRRRRRRR

Sorry about the rant, but I really wanted everyone to know and to have help on my side!

It is just so silly!!

rosiemac · May 10, 2005

Oh no Sarah!

1. Do you still have that letter i sent you for the landlords?

2. Do they now know that you have cats?

sar · May 10, 2005

Originally Posted by rosiemac

Oh no Sarah!

1. Do you still have that letter i sent you for the landlords?

2. Do they now know that you have cats?

Yes, I do still have the letter. I have the email address of the landlady and am wondering if I should send it to her?

Yes, they do know that I have cats now. I told them about them and wanted confirmation, as we had been told we could have them.

maverick_kitten · May 10, 2005

just move in. i very much doubt they will evict you, they will be losing money from the rent.

sar · May 10, 2005

We are planning to move in, but as my present agent and LL don't know about the cats (VERY stressful) I wanted to be honest! It is also a little on the stressful side contemplating court! *sigh*

They wouldn't be loosing too much by means of rent, as they will take the ready paid rent and the Â£595 deposit too - so there's two months covered.

It just sucks!

maverick_kitten · May 10, 2005

email the landlady and explain if your really worried. offer her references from the vets and offer a pet deposit too if you can afford one.

landlords always screw students over. my brothers house has NO locks at all. he was about to go to uni when a burglar walked right in!

my x bf got burgles by his nextdoor neighbours when he lived ins tudent accomodation because of faulty locks.

speak to the landlady, most people are good hearted by nature and dont really want the hassle of a fight.

flisssweetpea · May 10, 2005

Could you talk to the landlord/agent and explain that you were mislead into signing the agreement. That you were specifically told that pets were accepted and the agreement when presented to you did not correspond to what was said to you. Even though, technically you are responsible for reading what you sign, you may have some argument here to state that you did not feel the need to read it in such close detail regarding pets as you have been told it was ok for your cats to live there with you. Especially in light of the fact that there is a cat flap in the property and evidence of other cats having lived there previously. This would amount to a misrepresentation of the terms of the lease. It is an argument that you could use and should have at least a reasonable chane of success.

Of course, if things have got to that stage, it could signal the end of the relationship so is always something that should be carefully considered.

If you do choose to remain in the property, ensure that the damage you have noted is entered on the inventory and a copy retained by you and one given to the landlord/their agent. That way it can be used as evidence if they try to hold you responsible for this damage later. You've probably already done this!

rosiemac · May 10, 2005

I would move in as well because once your in, it would take a while to get you out.

I would also e-mail her and you can always tell her i could give her a call to reassure her?!.

sar · May 10, 2005

Nicky, I know what you mean about students getting a rough deal, but they state on their requirements that they DO NOT accept students - yet I am moving in!

Plus, the breaking and entering thing also comes down to the areas you choose to live!

Beth, thank you for your input, I knew you'd have ideas! The Unioln rep spoke to the agent about the fact that we were mislead and the guy who told us suddenly 'has no memory' of this.

(I expected as much)

The LL appears to not be acknowledging the cat flap or previous damage made by a cat.

I sent an inventory full of pictures to the agent, who faxed it to the LL. I noted every small detail that would cause discrepency at the termination of the lease - including nails in the walls (as it was stated we would not mark, damage or hang anything on the walls)

I also pointed out major damage that was of concern. I am worried that through the third party conversations, the message and meaning of the Inventory has become blurred. I feel that maybe the LL thinks that I want the whole property done up, but this is not the case!

Do you think it would be okay for me to email the Landlady and try to explain the situation to her and include references and a pet resume?

sar · May 10, 2005

Originally Posted by rosiemac

I would move in as well because once your in, it would take a while to get you out.

I would also e-mail her and you can always tell her i could give her a call to reassure her?!.

That is true, they will have to apply to the courts, book dates etc, so it would take a while!

I want to email her, but I am not sure if I am allowed as I am supposed to go through the agent. That would be great if you could speak to her too!

fwan · May 10, 2005

oh sarah! i hate moving because of this

and i hate angencies!

sar · May 10, 2005

Originally Posted by fwan

oh sarah! i hate moving because of this

and i hate angencies!

It sucks, doesn't it?!

Roll on when we all have enough money to get out of the rental system!

rosiemac · May 10, 2005

I would still e-mail her but put it down as nicely and as "please feel sorry for me!" sounding as you can.

And ask her if she would accept a phone call from me to reassure her?!.

sar · May 10, 2005

I will draft an email and show you - see what you think! Do you think I should explain that the cats would rarely be alone in the house as I can't really get out because of my knee?

rosiemac · May 10, 2005

Yes i would tell her that, and that way she can see the cats are supervised, but if she asks what will happen when your not there?, tell her they will be put in one room such as the bedroom with plenty of toys to keep them occupied, BUT tell her that cats sleep more than they are awake because thats no lie!!

gilly · May 10, 2005

I am sorry to hear about your situation

If it's any help, I was renting before I bought the flat that I am in now. My flatmate had a chinchilla and the agents told us that pets would be fine etc. When we moved in, the landlady (who only lived a few doors away) came round one day and she was a bit stumped that we had a pet when she had told the agents no pets allowed. After a bit of explaining that it had been a misunderstanding she was okay as she could see that Dylan (chin) was well behaved etc even when let out of his cage.

Maybe you could explain to them about the misunderstanding etc and they might give in? Plus let them see how well behaved and cared for your cats are. You could also say, that if any damage did happen because of the cats (highly unlikely) that you would pay for repairs etc.

sar · May 10, 2005

Originally Posted by rosiemac

Yes i would tell her that, and that way she can see the cats are supervised, but if she asks what will happen when your not there?, tell her they will be put in one room such as the bedroom with plenty of toys to keep them occupied, BUT tell her that cats sleep more than they are awake because thats no lie!!

That's a good idea, I will include that! Putting them in one room is what I had planned for too! (and I always put mats under the door, just in case!)

We have just been over to the house to mow the lawn - I thought that if we keep it looking nice (even before moving in) then even the neighbours will be pleased and we might be able to get a reference from them?!

Gilly, I am going to try me best at explaining to to them that it was all a misunderstanding, but I am not sure on the Landlord's point of view (the Landlady seem a lot more approachable) The least I can do is try!

gailc · May 10, 2005

Oh how awful for you. Way back when I was renting I usually had to pay an extra deposit for my cat. Does this place have carpeting?? Lots of landlords here get overexcited about getting the carpet shampooed for pet stains. Its a good thing that you already took pictures so you can't be assessed for existing damage. I think if you invited the landlady over and met the cats it could turn out well. I feel that there is alot misunderstanding about renting to people who own pets and perhaps the landloard could find out that these are good people to rent too instead of people who destroy the landloard property!!

Good luck.

rosiemac · May 10, 2005

Mention about cutting the lawn as well, by thinking you were getting off to a good start by making sure you were keeping the neighbourhood tidy!.

And i like what Gails just said there about having her over to meet them

Wouldn't it be funny if the landlady has 3 cats herself?!

sar · May 10, 2005

It would be a good idea to get the Landlady over to meet the cats, but she is further North Lancs, and a Solicitor, so I don't think she'd be up for a visit?

Gail, you're right, they do seem to have misconceptions about pet owners - I feel that we look after the houses more because we have an underlying paranoia that they will nit-pic any damage!

Here is my draft of the email i'm planning to send - what do you all think?

Dear Landlady

I am writing to you regarding the situation that has arisen due to my cats. As I am sure you are aware, one of the agents informed us that it would be possible to keep my cats at the property. We undertook the agreement on the understanding that this was still applicable - also because of the presence of a cat flap and signs that a cat had resided in the property.

I understand that this is causing considerable troubles and am concerned that the information being passed between us is somewhat diluted in convoy.

In sending you the Inventory and pictures, we were not requesting that the property be restored to itâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s original new condition, we were simply noting for both us and yourselves any discrepancies that may arise regarding damage and/or possible repairs.

In regards to my cats, I would like to provide you with more information. I am presently unable to walk efficiently and therefore am confined to the house for the majority of my time - allowing me to have the company of my companion pets and also keep and eye on them. They are rarely left alone, but on such occasions, they are shut in an upstairs room with carpet protectors. During these time, they do sleep, as they do the majority of the time. I ensure that there is always sufficient entertainment for them; cat trees, scratch posts, toys etc. that insure the safety of furniture and carpets. My cats are also groomed regularly and have their claws trimmed on a weekly basis.

Due to my flat mate having a slight allergy to cats, I ensure that the property is always free from fur and allergens. I frequently hoover and steam clean the carpets and furniture on a monthly basis (or as required, as I own my own steam cleaner) I also mop and disinfect surfaces daily and dispose of pet waste responsibly and in the correct manner.

I would please request that you reconsider allowing me to keep my cats, as I feel that my - and their - quality of life would be considerably jeopardised with any separation.

Yours hopefully,

Please see attached reference and resume
My Referee would be only to happy to speak to you regarding any concerns you may have.

If anyone has an ideas for changes or anything, i'll be really grateful!

Property Problems (bit of a rant too)

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