London flats for cats?

Hi all,

For those of you renting in London, how easy is it to find a place that would take two cats? I've seen very few listings that say "no pets", but that just makes me think that most people don't bother to specify.

Is it easier if you're looking for an unfurnished, non-carpeted place? Are there differences in neighborhoods? (For example, in my experience in the NYC area, most people in Jersey City are fine with pets, while almost no one in Astoria will accept them. And most places have hideous carpet.)

So this is sort of a two-part question -- How hard to find a place that takes cats? And which neighborhoods are most likely to have unfurnished, wood-floored, pet-accepting apartments with good public transport links?

Thanks!

In all the years I rented, I didn't lived anywhere that didn't have a "no pets" clause in the contract.

It probably doesn't say because it goes without saying that you can't. I'd imagine you'd have to specifically ask and see if they say yes.

You'd probably have more luck with a house, rather than an apartment. If the property has an external door, the cat can leave.

As for area, there aren't any area that are more likely to be unfurnished. All areas will have a mix of both types. Find a place you like and add yourself to a few estate agent email lists.

Don't worry about the ads or contracts... just go ahead and ask for what you need.  Our house came with ugly furniture and a 'no-pets' policy.  It wasn't much trouble to have them remove the furniture and change the contract.  It'll depend on how desirable the place is, and you are (as a tenant), but most owners will bend over backwards if you're signing up for a year or two.

Good public transport?  Try Japan.  Oh, and I have a very nice house for rent there, too.  Pets are fine!

I think you'll have more chance with unfurnished places, but I agree, ask.  We asked when we looked at the flat i've just moved in to..unfortunately she said no, so my dream of owning a moggie will have to wait a while.

As for transport...Lonodn is London.  The south has less tube access, but apart from that I don't think it is really possibel to answer your questions.

Vicky

I was hoping this was going to be about wealthy Londoners who rent or buy flats just for their cats to live in.

I was hoping this was going to be about wealthy Londoners who rent or buy flats just for their cats to live in.

LOL! 

There's a street near here called Cat Flat Lane - maybe that's where the flats for cats are?  Although I'm not sure there's such a thing as a wealthy Redcar resident....

There's a street near here called Cat Flat Lane - maybe that's where the flats for cats are?

Or maybe a lot of cats get run over there? 

It probably doesn't say because it goes without saying that you can't.

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of.

It sounds like London has fewer differences in neighborhoods compared to New York, at least as far as rental properties go (I would guess because a lot more people own). In NYC I have very specific tastes in neighborhoods, but I'm finding it hard to narrow down which ones I should look at in London.

As far as transport goes, what's the deal with the rail networks compared to the tube? More expensive and fewer links, or just as good? Is it better to live near a tube stop, or does it matter as long as you're near some kind of train?

We're moving over to London soon with our three cats. It's not a matter of finding a pet-friendly neighborhood - it's down to the individual property. I hear that individuals are more likely to allow pets than agencies, if that's any help, because agencies can't be bothered to ask for exceptions from the owners. The real problem is that in London most people don't seem to give more than 4 weeks' notice before vacating a property, so you won't know what flats are available until 4 weeks before you want to move in! Here in Boston the minumim notice is 3 months....some of my friends have to give 6 months' notice -- so 4 weeks is a bit shocking....but we will deal with it and find a place for us - and our lovely cats 

BTW most flats anywhere say "no pets" because just about every flat owner would prefer, in an ideal world, not to have any animals in their flat. For instance, our current flat had a "no pets" clause in the ad....but that didn't deter us, and after speaking with the owner and agent we negotiated allowing our 3 cats with no additional deposit....and then found out that the other two people in the building (it is a 3-condo building) both have cats as well! So --- don't take "no pets" too seriously. Many people are more flexible than they let on at first - and it's more important that you seem mature, responsible, have good references, and so on, than whether or not you have cats. Most reasonable people would rather have reliable, responsible cat owners in their flat than questionable pet-free people.

Oh - and one agency in Boston suggested to me that I "get rid of the cats." I just stood up and walked straight out of the office without saying another word You'll find something

I'm probably not tons of help on this question, but I'll add what I can.

I'm not in London, but I got an apartment that didn't have a "no pets" clause and when I got my kittens I just got a letter from the letting agency saying that any damage was my responsibility.

As for London, my boyfriend's last place was in Harrow (good transportation, too) and he and his ex had two cats, each of whom had a litter of kittens. His advice is to look for a ground floor apartment, since it's more likely to be ok to have pets in one of those.