How can I keep a cat in my student house without being told off?

Posted by SigmaGoose@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 14 comments

Got a tenancy lined up starting next month where I’m in a student house with three other guys that doesn’t allow pets. I really want to raise a kitten, and have always found cats to help with my mental health. Was wondering if there’s a workaround like declaring it as an emotional support animal, or just by hiding it? Idk what I can do. I’m also considering getting a pet fish instead or a lizard of some kind as they tend to be more discreet.

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14 Comments

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ResplendentBear@reddit

I see the fun police have already arrived on this one. To be honest I sort of agree though. Definitely, definitely not a kitten. You have no idea what you will get and if stuff gets scratched and/or chewed you're fucked. It might be quite fun to try and have an adult cat secretly. But you are literally fucking around with the roof over your head, and potentially the ability to get accommodation in future years. You'd also be giving yourself a lot of stress if the landlord was prone to "popping round" a lot. Maybe get some sea monkeys.

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ClarifyingMe@reddit

Go to a cat cafe and leave innocent cats alone.

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DaisyRedado@reddit

Honestly, it's not the worth risking hiding it. The first time you fall out with a housemate they'll immediately grass on you. There was a new law passed preventing landlords from denying pets so it might be worth looking into that. If it's your first year at uni then I'd strongly advise not starting with a pet. It's a brand new experience and you'll end up too busy for a pet. Wait till you at least get into your second year. Plus - do you know where your degree will take you? Having a pet will limit your options.

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SigmaGoose@reddit (OP)

I’m gonna be starting my second year and the people I’ll be living with I’ve been quite close with since last year. I think it’s the perfect time for me at least though it’s completely reasonable to consider the other guys’ perspectives on this. It’s not like I want to do this regardless of what they think, I was more so looking for a way around the tenancy agreement, as the case is in America at least where you can have an emotional support animal regardless. I understand things are different but that new law seems like exactly what I’m looking for, I’ll be sure to check it out :)

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SentientWickerBasket@reddit

>I think it’s the perfect time for me Having seen people try this - it's really, really not.

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Jimmy_Maximum@reddit

Dude, it's more than being "told off" - you'd be breaching your tenancy agreement. Don't even contemplate hiding it (although attempting to hide a cat sounds hilarious). I also agree with DaisyRedado, now is probably not a good time to be getting yourself a cat anyway. If it's really that important to you, talk to your landlord/letting agent and ask if they'll make an exception. I've heard that some shelters use volunteers to play with their cats, so that could be a good way to get the dopamine without having any of the responsibility!

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SigmaGoose@reddit (OP)

Not gonna lie, the responsibility is what I’m after. The timing seems right as I’m in my second year and my finances have somewhat become stable. Going to consider asking the letting agent or landlord for them to make an exception. it was a good shout, cheers :)

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scrotal-massage@reddit

Those other guys may have chosen to live in a pet free home on purpose. They could be allergic. You have no idea. To try and bring a cat into such a home would be selfish. Visit a cat cafe every now and then. That’s the best you can do until you have a tenancy where you're allowed to keep pets.

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SigmaGoose@reddit (OP)

I feel like you’ve assumed a lot here mr scrotal massage. Nice name lol. Was just considering getting a cat, obviously I’d talk to my soon-to-be housemates about this as I already have before. I’m mainly interested in having something to provide for as well as myself. I’ll keep what you said about the cat cafes in mind tho. Thanks for the heads up, forgot they existed :)

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SentientWickerBasket@reddit

Don't. I'm guessing you're still very young and new to renting, so I'll state the obvious - don't fuck about when it comes to your housing lease. It's absolutely not worth it for a cat. While some certainly can make it difficult, it's wise to maintain a good relationship with your landlord. Additionally, it's very unfair on your housemates to do this. They have the rightful expectation that their home will be pet-free, and you should show that the according respect. I would not have been happy in their situation.

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mhoulden@reddit

Help out at a cat shelter.

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yoboylandosoda@reddit

I had no idea I had a cat allergy until an ex gf's housemate got one. Took a while to realise what was wrong too. Something to consider before you introduce a pet into a house with a bunch of strangers.

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TheJezster@reddit

You can't have pets. Either move somewhere that allows it or learn to live with it.

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