Why Do Landlords Not Allow Cats – Everything You Should Know!

Most cat owners would agree that a house is not a home without a cat. If you don’t own your own home and are looking for apartments that fit your situation, you might notice that many apartments do not allow cats. If they do, there may be an additional fee. This makes you ask yourself: why do landlords not allow cats?

Landlords do not allow cats because pets can cause property damage and leave lasting odors. Urine odor, flea infestations, excessive noise, and allergy concerns are also reasons cats are not allowed by landlords.

Most cats are well-behaved and will not cause a problem in an apartment, but the landlord has their property to think about. The house they are renting to you means more than your pet. In this article, we’ll talk about why there are restrictions on pets in apartments and what you can expect to pay if you want a pet. Just keep reading to learn more!

Can Landlords Stop You From Having A Cat

Yes, unfortunately, landlords can stop you from having a cat.

Since landlords are the ones writing your lease, they can require almost anything within reason. They are the ones to write the document, so you need to follow the rules.

If it is not in your lease that you cannot have a cat, then you may have a fight on your hands. You are accountable to rules in your lease, but it will be difficult for your landlord to make up new rules.

Can A Landlord Charge Extra Rent For Pets

Yes, a landlord can charge extra rent for pets, but the price varies depending on the landlord.

Landlords can, and often do, charge extra rent for pets. Some landlords also ask that you put down a non-refundable deposit for your pet. 

The amount of rent you will pay extra depends on several factors, including the kind of pet you have, how many pets you have, and how heavy your pet is. 

You can be looking at paying anywhere from as little as $25 to hundreds of dollars for extra rent to have your pet. 

What Is A Fair Pet Deposit Fee

A pet deposit fee will vary depending on the kind of animal you want to bring and the area in which you live.

There will be a big difference in what you pay your landlord as a pet deposit fee, but it should always be fair.

Regardless of where you live in the world, the kind of animal will dictate how much you pay. Of course, bigger animals, like large breed dogs, will be more expensive. Cats, on the other hand, are smaller and may require a smaller deposit. 

A fair pet deposit should only be a fraction of the rent you pay overall. Do not let your landlord charge you too much just because they can. 

What Happens If My Landlord Finds Out I Have A Cat

It could be bad news if your landlord finds out you have a cat, especially if you are not allowed to.

If it was in your lease that you could not have a cat but do, it could be grounds for eviction. Although owning a cat does not seem like a terrible offense, you are technically in breach of your lease. Your landlord can decide to take action.

Other landlords will be more understanding. Some will begin to charge you the extra fee for a pet.

An awesome landlord will let your pet slide altogether, but no guarantee will happen.

Should I Tell My Landlord About My Cat

Yes, you should tell your landlord about your cat.

Hiding your cat will rarely end well for you and your furry friend. 

You may not want to tell your landlord about your pet, but hiding it is not a good idea either.

You could upset your landlord even more by trying to keep it a secret.

Your cat may not have the best quality of life he could either. For instance, you may not let him in the window for fear of being seen. When your landlord comes over to do a walk-through, you may even be tempted to hide your cat somewhere, like in a closet.

How Can I Convince My Landlord To Let Me Have A Cat

Some landlords are going to be more easily swayed than others. 

Here are some tips to try if you want to sway your landlord in your favor:

• Tell your landlord how much your pet means to you as a companion. 
• Try to prove that your cat will not be a problem with peeing around the apartment.
• Keep your cat’s litter box in an area that will be easily cleaned.
• Offer to get your apartment professionally cleaned when you move out. 

Even though you may want a cat in your apartment, do not push your landlord too hard. If you upset your landlord too much, they may not resign your lease or make it difficult for you to find another apartment if you do leave.

How Can I Hide My Cat From My Landlord

I do not recommend hiding your cat from your landlord, but if this is an absolute must for you, here are some options:

• Take your cat to a friend’s house or leave them with family if you know your landlord is coming over.
• Do not let your cat in visible places, like the windows.
• Keep the apartment smelling fresh and clean. Scents like cat urine or the litter box could get pungent, especially in a small house or apartment.
• If you live in the same building as your landlord, do not let them see you bringing in purchases for your cat.

Hiding your cat is not always easy, but you should make sure that you are not compromising your cat’s quality of life in order to hide them from your landlord.

Things To Consider

Let’s say that you managed to convince your landlord to let you have a cat. Now you’re moving out and need to make sure the apartment is in tip-top shape so you can get your deposit back! Let’s chat about how you can make sure your apartment looks new.

Clean The Carpets

Your first instinct will be to clean your apartment, but you should consider the carpets in your apartment if you have any. 

Carpets trap smell and could be one of the biggest reasons why your apartment still smells like your cat.

You can hire professional carpet cleaners or rent a machine from a local hardware store. Deep cleaning of your apartment will mean that there are no smells trapped. 

Use Air Freshener

Air fresheners usually only make the air smell good for a certain amount of time, but they could help make your apartment smell better.

Coupled with a freshly cleaned carpet, your apartment will start to smell much better.

Move Your Cat Early

If your situation allows it, consider moving your cat to your new apartment or house early. This will give your apartment a few days to air out without your cat there.

Keep Your Windows Open

One of the best ways to freshen up your apartment is to open the windows and circulate the fresh air. 

The air in your apartment can smell stale if there is no new air coming through, so that will do wonders to make things smell better.

Unfortunately, there is little you can do to make the smell of a cat altogether leave your apartment, but keeping things clean will do wonders to help before it gets too bad!