Keeping a cat in a council flat

LitleMermaid · 23-11-2006, 17:04

I'm a poet and I don't know it

Forever I have wanted to have a cat or foster cats but I live in a council flat. Nothing going then, or so I thought! Until I read the thread on poor baileys_mum situation. On there, fox20thc said that the council say this:

"If you live in a small block of flats or maisonettes we will give you written permission to keep a dog or cat if all the tenants who use the same shared parts of the building have agreed to you keeping the dog or cat."

The council say you can't have a cat in a flat if you share an entrance with any other tenant, which I do, but this would not be an issue anyway, as any cat I had would be a house cat and therefore wouldn't use the hall and stairs.

So...does anyone have any experience with this situation? How likely is it that I will get permission? I don't aniticipate being allowed, but one can hope can't they

weenireeni · 23-11-2006, 17:09

im not sure if sheffield are any different to other councils, but when i lived in a council house in lincoln we were only allowed one cat. in reality we had far more than that, 10 at one point. Just meant that at inspections we hid the others! It should be in writing, on your contract?, about what pets you are allowed

on a different note, i dont see the point of asking permission from fellow residents - we lived in stannington council maisonette, yet privately rented, and had cats, so seems daft that council tenants have to get permission!

good luck and let us know the results!!!

LitleMermaid · 23-11-2006, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by weenireeni

im not sure if sheffield are any different to other councils, but when i lived in a council house in lincoln we were only allowed one cat. in reality we had far more than that, 10 at one point. Just meant that at inspections we hid the others! It should be in writing, on your contract?, about what pets you are allowed

on a different note, i dont see the point of asking permission from fellow residents - we lived in stannington council maisonette, yet privately rented, and had cats, so seems daft that council tenants have to get permission!

good luck and let us know the results!!!

Thanks for the reply, you've given me hope

If I got a cat I would love it so much you wouldn't believe, it would be so spoilt!

I know what you mean though, it does seem pointless to ask the other residents, if I get a cat it it won't affect them in any way they wouldn't see it or hear it or anything...

I wouldn't be getting one until after christmas anyway,cos the council are doing up my flat at the mo, so it is in no condition for a cat yet! I would spend a while searching for the right cat anyway, as my flat isn't exactly chatsworth house in terms of size

weenireeni · 23-11-2006, 19:00

AWWW you'll have no problems having a house cat, at least you wont have the hassle of having mice brought home as presents evry night!!!

LitleMermaid · 23-11-2006, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by weenireeni

AWWW you'll have no problems having a house cat, at least you wont have the hassle of having mice brought home as presents evry night!!!

Bless they think they are being kind!

Still, I am glad I wunt have to put up with it, might put me off my lunch

Amyrach · 23-11-2006, 20:15

mermaid i have 2 cats in my flat oh and 3 dogs

tinkabel · 23-11-2006, 22:52

To be honest if its a house cat, i wouldn't tell them! Thats just me though, i have a dog and i never asked permission for him (apparently you have to ask with housing associations here even though i have an enclosed garden

)

LitleMermaid · 24-11-2006, 15:12

Well, the thought of not telling them did cross my mind, but what if they somehow found out? Would I get really done?I don't think I am brave enough lol and also I wouldn't want to have one and then have to get rid of it if it was discovered

I am scared of asking them though in case they say no, I am trying not to get my hopes up, but it's hard to stop myself

Actually, lots of places (rightly) insist on house checks, and I would have to have written permission from the council so that they could be sure that it wouldn't be made homeless again in the future if they did find out...and I would like to help one of these places by adopting one of their cats

amyrach, are you in a council flat? I am jealous of all your pets!

Amyrach · 24-11-2006, 15:24

yes mines council flat and they think i have only 2 dogs

tinkabel · 25-11-2006, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by LitleMermaid

Well, the thought of not telling them did cross my mind, but what if they somehow found out? Would I get really done?I don't think I am brave enough lol and also I wouldn't want to have one and then have to get rid of it if it was discovered

I am scared of asking them though in case they say no, I am trying not to get my hopes up, but it's hard to stop myself

Actually, lots of places (rightly) insist on house checks, and I would have to have written permission from the council so that they could be sure that it wouldn't be made homeless again in the future if they did find out...and I would like to help one of these places by adopting one of their cats

amyrach, are you in a council flat? I am jealous of all your pets!

You wouldn't get really done but they would probably ask you to rehome the cat, then again how would they find out if it was a house cat? It wouldn't be outside so none of your neighbours would know, also if the council came to repair something, put the cat in another room with everything 'cat like' and don't mention it. If the council dropped by wanting to look around your flat, you are allowed to refuse access because they have given you no notice.

whatkatydid · 26-11-2006, 21:05

A few years ago I was allowed a dog and cat when I lived in a lower maisonette at Netherthorpe. I had my own door on the the street. I made enquires of the housing officer before I exchanged. If you get a yes make sure you get it in writing.

LitleMermaid · 27-11-2006, 13:39

I know they would probably make me rehome the cat, but I wouldn't be able to once I had it, I would love it too much. I don't want to risk putting a cat through that anyway...perhaps I will get my boyfriend to phone the council and just ask outright, I'm still debating it in my head, I am so undecisive

I know you are allowed to keep them if you have your own entrance cos then they wouldn't be using the shared parts, but thats my point-it would be a house cat, and so wouldn't be using the shared landings and things anyway, so I don't really see what argument they would have for saying no...and you know what the council are like, there is no doubt I would request their permission in writing

LitleMermaid · 29-11-2006, 15:42

Well.... I have phoned the coucil, didn't know which number to ring so i rang the main one and they put me through. The woman said it would be absolutley fine, as long as I asked the other residents and they said yes. I could have jumped for joy, until she asked me where I lived, and then informed me I had been put through to the wrong number

She then put me through to the right one who said they were no longer giving permission due to other people putting litter trays in the halls and letting the cats run up and down the stairs, I tried explaining it was going to be a house cat, but no

However, she then said I could ask the other residents and get one if they said yes, and just not let the council know! She basically told me to break the rules lol so I think I have my answer don't I? That shows how likely it is that they are going to find out! The cat woud be so loved and spoilt, it really wouldn't be a nuisance to anyone

weenireeni · 29-11-2006, 15:47

great news!

you'll have to post pics of your kitty when you get one!

LitleMermaid · 29-11-2006, 15:53

Thanks chicken! And of course there will be pics! I'm so broody for one now, I can't wait, we are frantically trying to get the flat in order so we can get our new arrival sooner rather the later! Good to have an incentive though, I really needed a kick up the bum, I can live in a building site, but my guineas have a luxury cage and it's so not good enough for a cat either lol

Amyrach · 29-11-2006, 16:28

told ya ive got 3 dogs and 2 cats