Do Apartments Allow Cats – Policies, Pet Fees, & Other Facts

Living a with a cat is a joy, but admittedly they aren’t the easiest to handle when it comes to maintaining property. If you’re not living in your own house, that can be a bit of a concern. So, many cat owners wonder, do apartments allow cats?

Many apartments allow tenants to have cats, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that all rented living spaces do. As a result, you must read your lease thoroughly and ask your landlord any questions you may have regarding pet ownership.

This article will explain everything that renters need to know about cat ownership in apartments. 

Why Do So Many Apartments Not Allow Cats 

Many apartments will have a no pets policy, which will often include cats. This is usually done because the landlord does not want to deal with cats’ damage to their property. For example, cats may have accidents or damage parts of the apartment such as doors by scratching on them. 

If you are unsure if your apartment allows cats or not, it is recommended that you ask your landlord about this before signing the lease. There should be a section in a lease about pet ownership in your apartment as well. This will prevent you from being fined or even evicted by breaking an unknown rule in your lease. 

Still, many apartments allow their tenants to have cats, and they usually advertise themselves as being pet friendly to attract the pet owner crowd. Getting an apartment that is cat friendly is always the best way to go because you will not need to worry about running into problems like an angry landlord. 

Will Apartments Know If You Have A Cat

Considering that cats are not typically as loud as other pets like dogs, a landlord may not know that you have a cat in an apartment. However, they may find out if they need to go into your apartment for any reason. They may also find out that you have a cat later on if your pet has inflicted any damage, such as scratch marks or urine stains in your apartment. 

Can Landlords Stop You From Having A Cat

Yes, a landlord can stop tenants from having a cat if they do not allow cats, according to your lease agreement. Sometimes people can get around this if their cat is considered to be an emotional support animal. However, there are still sometimes some limitations, even if the cat is an official, registered emotional support animal. 

Can I Sneak My Cat Into My Apartment

Although there may be some instances where you could potentially sneak your cat into an apartment, you are not advised to do so. This is because you will likely get into some trouble if your landlord catches you doing this. A landlord can fine you or even evict you for breaking a lease agreement. 

As a result, it is always best to let your landlord know that you have a cat before moving into an apartment, and it is always a good idea to read through your lease agreement as well. This will prevent you from receiving consequences for breaking your signed lease agreement. 

In addition to this, sometimes a landlord may reconsider the no pets rule if you have things like pet references and are willing to allow them to meet your pet. There are also many cat-friendly apartments out there that advertise that they are pet-friendly. Getting an apartment that allows cats will make it so that you do not need to sneak your cat in at all. 

What Happens If You Don’t Tell Your Landlord About A Pet

Several different things could potentially happen if you do not tell your landlord that you have a pet. Sometimes the consequences of breaking your lease agreement when it comes to their pet policy are laid out clearly for you, and other times the consequences may be vaguer. 

Does Maintenance Report Pets In Apartments 

This can be a somewhat tricky question because it depends on the circumstances. For example, if you live in a building that does not allow any pets, and the maintenance worker knows about this rule, they may very well report it.

However, it is not guaranteed that this will happen, especially if some units in your building allow pets while others don’t. In situations like these, the maintenance worker will likely not report you at all because they usually assume that you are allowed to have a [. 

However, if your cat is aggressive towards the maintenance worker, this significantly increases the chances of reporting you to the landlord. This doesn’t matter, even if you are allowed to have a cat in your apartment. As a result, it is always best to contain your cat in a room or crate while the maintenance worker is over if they are not friendly. This will prevent any bad situations from occurring at all. 

Things To Consider 

There are some additional things that you should consider about apartments not allowing cats. These include if your cat is allowed in these apartments, if they are an official, registered emotional support animal, and how you can make your cat an emotional support animal. Here are some other things that you should consider when it comes to cats being allowed in apartments or not. 

Is Your Cat Allowed In Apartments If They Are A Registered Emotional Support Animal? 

Yes, registered emotional support animals are generally allowed in no pets apartments. This is due to the federal Fair Housing Act that states that people with disabilities should be entitled to housing in the same way that people without disabilities are. Considering that emotional support animals are permitted to those with mental disabilities and conditions, registered emotional support animals, including cats, are included in this act. 

How To Make Your Cat An Emotional Support Animal

The best way to get your cat officially registered as an emotional support animal is to get a signed letter from a mental healthcare professional. Beware of websites that promise to get your cat registered for you because these are often scams that will cost a lot of money. The letter that makes your cat an official emotional support animal should be free in itself. However, you may still need to pay for the counseling or screening appointment with the doctor or mental health professional from which you are getting the letter. 

You do not even need to worry about leaving your house! Many mental health professionals and Psychiatrists are happy to set up virtual, Telehealth appointments. These professionals often sign a letter for an emotional support animal for the following conditions. 

• Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (postpartum depression included)
• Anxiety and panic disorders 
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 
• Mood disorders