Renting with two cats--potential problems in the horizon!

We're currently in the process of finding a flat in Nottingham. We'll move at the end of August, but we'll be in America from the last week of July well into late August, and it seems that the flat we had in mind might fall through--the agent is very reluctant to send us pictures of the flat; we've seen many flats for sale in the same building, and they all seem to be very similar. The agent has told us this place is comparable to those, but seems to be very computer illiterate and has now agreed to MAIL us a disk with pictures of the flat... oh boy. We were in N'ham a week ago looking at flats, and this agent showed us another place, so we have actually met him. It seems as though we'll get the place if we want it, but as the pictures are taking so long we are starting to consider plan B's.

Now, we have two cats. For this place they're not a problem, but if it falls through we're going to have to look again. Many places have said they don't accept pets when we've asked.

1. What would be the repercussions of renting a flat that might not accept pets, if we don't ask and play the "dumb foreigners" card?
I realize it's dishonest (no lectures please), and it's not like we're planning on doing this, but just in case we run out of options.

2. As it's likely that there would be a "no pets" clause in the contract for a place that doesn't accept pets, what would happen if we moved in with the cats?

3. Do agencies run tenant checks (as in visits to the property), and if so, do they give advance warning?

This is a bit tricky because we're not living in the UK, we'll be away for three weeks (sucky timing but can't be helped), and we'll have a 2-week window to move ourselves, our cats and have our stuff shipped.

Just tell the agent you want to look at properties that take pets -- that'll limit your choices, but at least you'll be honest.  When we rented, the house we wanted didn't allow pets and we knew we wanted to get a dog eventually, so we asked the agent to contact the landlord -- they put a clause in allowing one small dog.

Pleeeeeease don't break the rules of your tenancy by having cats in a place that doesn't allow them.  When I was at university, one of my close friends was violently ill -- she moved into a fab new apartment and was sick for weeks...couldn't figure it out and it turned out that the previous tenants had cats (illegally) and she was allergic. 

If you are pretty sure your current deal is going to fall thru, your best bet is to start contacting other agencies and tell them you have cats and you need a place urgently. We have three cats and have always (sometimes even at the eleventh hour!!) found a suitable place!

It does sound to me like this agent is just a techno phobe so with luck, you won't have to do anything!

As far as playing the dumb foreigner card, that's tough because of what the lease will say. Our first house was no pets but we actually got them after we'd moved in.

I believe the landlord does have to give you notice they are coming to see the flat. Ours did and we just took the cats to a friends!

Good luck!

We offered an extra deposit for having our dog.  They had no problem with it.

I have been a relocation agent in Nottingham for the past 10 years. It is always worth offering an extra deposit for pets. Sometimes if a property has stood empty for some time, a landlord will reconsider his position on no pets. Landlords do inspections every so often but they do have to tell you when they are coming.

What part of Nottingham are you moving to and who is the agent who can't manage to send you pictures? I find the majority of them to be pretty useless but to me they are a necessary evil.

Good luck with your move. feel free to ask any questions regarding life in Nottingham.

Firstly, thank you for your replies. I doubt things will come to this, and we do feel very uncomfortable about even trying it.
I do appreciate not lecturing me on the topic, it's more that I want to have my bases at least somewhat covered, even if I won't resort to certain emergency plans. 

The biggest problem we seem to be having is that a lot of these buildings have some kind of a "no pets" clause in their building rules (or something)--which isn't too shocking considering we are after a flat in a "modern/professional" building. We are willing to pay a higher deposit, even rent upfront, and that doesn't seem to be a problem. It's a shame that the only two places we looked at which would've accepted pets were in unacceptably bad condition.

kazza--we're looking at moving into the center, ie near the Lace Market, the Castle or the Park. Or similar. Understandably not near St Ann's, though.
Thank you for your kind offer kazza, I'm sure I'll be taking you up on that, actually
The agency we are dealing with is called Merchants Property Services. Would you happen to know whether they're reputable or not?

Just to let you know what we did. We have 2 cats and when we viewed the flat we have now, the managing agent was showing us around. When she showed us the Juliet balcony she said "Oh, this would be good to stop a child or pet from falling out the sliding glass door" (this is 3rd floor btw).  After she repeatedly said that we were to make this OUR home (in everything to decorating to using loft space) we decided we really liked this place.  We told her we were interested and requested to sit down and go over the lease with her. Both dh and I viewed the section that about pets. It only said "with prior permission".  But a lot of other things "with prior permission" such as using loft space and decorating.  She said this is their standard lease as they have hundreds of properties.  So we clumped all this together to include our cats as well.  We have been here 3 years and haven't had a problem yet.  When we had to go away on an extended leave or if builders were coming over we put "our boys" into a cattery.  Of course we are particular about just where they stay.  But in any case, in the 2 instances we have had inspections, they did notify us before hand they were going to do so and they never said anything about the cats.  We have a neighbor who has lived next to us the whole time who only recently found out we had 2 cats living here. Fortunately she adores them!  Now when were searching for flats there were several that held rules in the leasehold that no pets were allowed.  So if you are checking with landlord make sure you check the leasehold as well.  We had a couple people who would rent to us with our cats but when they checked their leasehold it stated they weren't allowed. 

  The biggest problem we seem to be having is that a lot of these buildings have some kind of a "no pets" clause in their building rules (or something)--which isn't too shocking considering we are after a flat in a "modern/professional" building. We are willing to pay a higher deposit, even rent upfront, and that doesn't seem to be a problem. 

I'm finding this to be a problem in Bath as well. I'm willing to pay extra for a nice place, but it seems that there are these "no pet" clauses in the city and it's not necessarily the landlord with the issue. It sucks. 

The biggest problem we seem to be having is that a lot of these buildings have some kind of a "no pets" clause in their building rules (or something)--which isn't too shocking considering we are after a flat in a "modern/professional" building. We are willing to pay a higher deposit, even rent upfront, and that doesn't seem to be a problem. It's a shame that the only two places we looked at which would've accepted pets were in unacceptably bad condition.

we ran into this when we were looking in Central London. One agent flatly told me not to waste my time looking at anything in Zones 1 or 2 as they were unlikely to accept our dogs. I've heard of people having much better luck with cats vs. dogs when it's just down to the landlord. But you are right that many buildings with multiple flats will have a no-pets policy. I feel your pain (and that of the other poster in the same situation. It is stressful and frustrating.

I wish you both the best of luck in your search.

Update!

We ended up taking the flat we were going to in the first place (pictures eventually showed up and everything was fine).
Thank you so much for your helpful answers and tips.

Special thanks goes to kazza for her help as well

(and an apology for not getting back to you sooner, things are rather hectic at the moment as I'm sure you can imagine!)