Updating post from Reddit.
Since I was born, I caught this health condition called sickle cell, which causes I've to have random pain episodes.
I was born and raised in Italy, and since the pain episodes were very frequent mostly due to stress, cold, anxiety and fatigue, the doctors there advised me to take in a pet to reduce such episodes, which it worked! I had the opportunity to have a kitten but she died due to an accident.
Past forward, I moved in the UK 10 years ago, and those pain episodes increased again lik when I was in Italy but worse due to NHS disrupting and cancelling my assigned treatment plan.
Also, before in London I was able to have some new friends in here and there, but then covid happened and I lost all the friends I made there in university, and most of the ones in Italy, so my social life and personal care got disrupted again, and now depression is also affecting my pain episodes.
After speaking with a mental health professional, the also suggested to take in a cat as an emotional support pet but the contract for the apartment me and my mother live doesn't allow pets.
We don't have yet money to move somewhere but most of the other places to rent also don't allow them. I managed to have a written letter from the GP to support my request, but the chances that she allows it, even if temporarily.
What should I do in this case?
As a landlord I do allow pets. However the use of such language, such as “emotional support pet” is an attempt to prevent me from making my own choice, so much I would view it as a “red flag”.
Could you elaborate why you'd view it as a red flag?
When I moved to my current rented apartment I didn't have any issues with the no pet requirement, but since covid started, I lost a lot of friends from Italy and London.
When I attempted to make new ones in the new city, in the end I ended up alone, no motivation, and losing most of my interests, to which some mental health professionals told me that I was developing depression already from 2015 when I moved to the UK, became stable enough to not affect me in any way, while from 2020 in escalated fast from mild to severe, (and depression has worsened my health condition).
I can't keep taking painkiller everyday, so the better solution for the GP, mental health professionals, and my assigned consultant from the hospital is to look into getting a pet.
[deleted]
And the law for assistance dogs is that if you say it is, then it is.
The law is stupid but it's illegal for anyone to deny access etc if you make the claim.
Doubt you could claim assistance cat though
There's going to be some form of words on the letter from the GP that will markedly strengthen your hand as compared to the landlord. Unfortunately I don't know what it is, but the underlying law around assistance animals is that they can't be refused.
We don't have Assistance Cats here.
Many landlords won't allow pets in properties even if they want to due to the building lease requirements. The lease requirements are often in buildings that are flats.
Exactly the lease for the building as a whole will probably say no pets. Mine says no cats or dogs yet the flat lease says no pets. The landlord of the whole building turns a blind eye to cats. So ... It's not straightforward, maybe ask if you can keep fish?
Fish wouldn’t make a very good emotional support pet haha
How would she even discover that?
Usually when it reeks of cat piss. So it requires a properly trained cat.
I did have a cat before and took great care in terms of hygiene and odours, so for me is easy to eliminate the smell, keep the cat trained to scratch in cardboards and not the carpets.
Many landlords/agents do regular property inspections, mine is every 6 months, at which point they'd see the cat or cat related paraphernalia.
I've never had any of that in my 5 years of renting. But I guess every landlord is. different.
Think it depends weather your renting direct from landlord or through an agent too.
The landlord of the apartment I'm renting lives futher away from my town, and in 4 years I had only someone from the agency coming to check once.
Offer to get a pet insurance and put a professional cleaning in a contract. They are worried about damage and mess - show them that you have a plan in place for that I rent with two cats and a dog and that's what we offer by default when enquiring about houses
Since you’ve got a letter from your GP backing you up, I’d say your best bet is to have an honest chat with your landlord. Explain the situation, how the pet would help your health, and make it clear that this isn’t just about wanting a pet but something that’s really important for your well-being.
Maybe offer some compromises to make them feel better about it—like paying a bit more deposit, agreeing to cover any damages, or saying it’s just temporary until you’re able to move somewhere else.
If they’re still not on board, it might be worth looking into tenant rights or disability accommodations in your area. There could be something that helps if your condition is classed as a disability.
Sorry to hear about your health condition. I'm glad to hear that you are also consulting (a) health professional(s).
In terms of your housing situation, unfortunately, your landlord can refuse pets. The Renters' Rights Bill is looking to change that (Can landlords refuse pets in a rented property? | MoneyHelper), however, it is not law yet.
Also just reading u/tut_blimey's response, I also agree.
Sorry to hear about your health issues, I hope you get better soon.
Renters rights bill will be looking to change that in (hopefully) 2025. But currently, landlords have every right to refuse pets.
That being said, I’d start with having an honest conversation, if you have a doctors note (which you can pay for) proving your health issues and need of a pet and see what they say. I foundthis resource as well.
Good luck and look after yourself OP.
Edit: spelling.
As others have said, you'll have to approach landlord to discuss it but bring solutions with you.
As you're in a flat, you could opt to get an indoor only cat which are less likely to cause damage. When I first moved into our flat, we used cats protection to adopt an older cat that wasn't allowed outside, it just wanted a nice cosy lap to lay on.
Or you could opt for certain breeds that are indoor only like ragdolls or birmans (we've got a birmans) which are beautiful but also very gentle. My birman doesn't even extend his claws when playing with toys and his paws are so fluffy I dont think he knows how to use them lol
The main worry with pets is usually damage to flooring or carpets. Also point out how you've been a good tenant so far and kept the place in good or and are responsible etc. if you already have a level of trust from being there without issue it may help.
Does it need to be a cat? Something cageable and trainable (so not a cat 😬) like a domesticated rat may be easier to convince a LL of.
Speak to your landlord, maybe you can pay a higher deposit to account for any damage the cat may do?
Deposits cannot exceed 5 weeks rent, so landlords cannot charge extra deposit for pets
Could they renew the contract with a clause for the cat? Otherwise the landlord will probably just say no
You can’t charge a pet deposit in the UK and deposits can’t exceed 5 weeks rent if the property is under £50,000 a year. Contract doesn’t supersede law, so unless the current deposit is below the limit, it is illegal to increase it even if there’s a signed contract agreeing to a higher deposit.
The landlord could potentially charge extra rent instead, as there isn’t a cap on rent in England. But if it’s within the fixed term of the initial contract I imagine both parties would have to agree to cancel the existing contract and set up a new one with a different rental price. I assume that would be legal if both parties agreed, but not 100% sure.
Don't tell them
Best thing you can do is ask. Don't brand it as an "emotional support animal" that just sounds daft. Just tell em you want a pet cat. Many places where I am will allow it, but there's an extra charge. The property I'm renting now I could have animals, but it adds, I think £25 per month per animal to the rent (and it has to be approved by the LL.)
I would speak to the landlord first and ensure them that you are a responsible pet owner, you will insure and look after your pet properly, not leave it on it's own for long periods, have a cat tree with scratching posts and keep the cat toilet clean at all times. (You don't necessarily need to go for a kitten, there are plenty of cats in rescue centers that are around a year old.)
If the landlord says no, you may need to wait until the new renter's reform bill comes into action next year, as it will be easier: the goverment makes sure that landlords do not unreasonably withhold consent when a tenant requests to have a pet in their home, with the tenant able to challenge unfair decisions.
Again, you will most likely need pet insurance to cover any damage to the property.
Most flats have clauses in the lease that prohibits pets, so you're likely sol.
Landlords will also check with others in the block to see if someone has an allergy to a cat,
The landlord leaver futher away from the apartment I'm renting, and only one person from the agency come to check ones. Also, most of the apartments in my block are actually owned by the council (and there are a LOT of cats) , but in my side of the building, our apartment is the only one that was bought from the council.
Ps. I'm the one allergic to cats but the more I got exposed to other people's cats around, and the more is disappearing.