Trying to rent a property with one cat, especially a house cat, is fine. Two or more cats? That’s where things can get tricky.
In today’s competitive UK rental market, even strong tenants can hit a wall the moment they mention multiple cats. Because for landlord’s multiple cats ‘means’ scratched curtains and carpets as well as lingering smells, even fleas well after the tenancy, affecting future tenancies. Damage means costs for landlords and most are them are financially driven. A single professional, who works most hours in an office, hardly there, minimal wear and tear, is much more appealing.
Landlords have had bad experiences with pets
Also bear in mind some landlords have had bad experiences with cats or have heard of the ‘damage’ cats can do. You should read some of the landlord Facebook groups. Not easy reading for pet owners.
Sadly it just takes one irresponsible pet owner to negatively influence a landlord. I have seen patios in properties covered in dog poo. The tenants too lazy to pick up. The landlord saw it and gave them notice.
Recently I was ‘ghosted’ by a landlord. My client with a dog offered and even at asking price, the response to the agent was ‘carry on viewings’. I advised the client to walk away.
That will happen more with the Renters Rights Act. Landlords will stall to get another offer, ideally without pets. What can agents do, the landlords are their clients. Multiple pets are no high on the ‘wish list’.
However, when it comes to renting with cats and pets in general, landlords can have a ‘blinkered’ mindset.
Landlord Equation: 3+cats = £100’s/ 1000’s in damage. That is how Landlords really see it.
Estate Agents want to be paid commission
As for estate agents, it is a different story. I was an estate agent many years back in West London. I know how they think.
When they see that initial property portal enquiry, some agents will see the words cat or dog and focus on the ‘easier’ tenants. That is why just waiting for a response is going to be too late. You’ll miss out on the property you enquired about.
To an agent, multiple cats means I probably won’t get this deal agreed. One of my colleagues will have a more appealing tenant without a pet and I won’t get any commission on this deal.
Estate agency is a dog-eat-dog world, excuse the pun. The fault lies with the commission structure, not the agents. Everyone needs to get paid and pay their own rent.
Renters Rights Act is a part solution
Landlords cannot ‘unreasonably refuse’ pets is in fact meaningless. It’s easy enough for a landlord to find an excuse. Many agents don’t need an excuse to say, sorry the landlord will only accept 1 pet.
So what happens?
– Your enquiry gets ignored
– You don’t get shortlisted
– Or you’re told “no pets” or ‘the property is unsuitable for more than 1 pet’.
Why Multiple Cats Are a Harder Sell
- Perception of Scale
One cat = manageable
Two or more cats = potential issue
- Property Type Matters More
– Flats with carpets = harder
– Leasehold blocks = restrictions
– Smaller spaces = concern
- Lack of Proper Presentation
Most tenants just say:
“We have 3 cats” No detail. No reassurance.
How to Turn This Around
- Treat It Like a Case
Pets are part of the family. You need to come across as a responsible pet owner. Talk about their characters. Do your cats sleep a lot. Are they older, more lethargic cats?
Include:
– Names
– Ages
– Indoor/outdoor
– Temperament
- Use a Pet CV
A Pet CV is a powerful tool. You can create one on Say Yes to Pets. The points I listed above, use that as a guide and add more. Add your own profile to ‘stand out from the crowd.’
Cute photos of your cats makes such a difference. Ideally ones of them sleeping or adoringly looking at you. NO pictures of claws or scratching anything, including their towers.
- 3. Address Concerns
Offer solutions as part of your offer. Cover all the points a landlords may be concerned about in advance. This shows that you are a responsible cat owner.
– Cleaning
– Odour control
– Professional clean
- Choose Properties Strategically
Don’t be ‘shy’ to ask for things as part of your offer. I have had clients ask to put in a catio on a balcony. We provided pictures of the catio in question and highlighted that nothing would be fixed to the brickwork or cause damage. We also said any damage would be paid for.
I also had a client agree a cat flap in a house and agreed to remove it at the end of the tenancy. We also pointed out that the cat would be microchipped so no other cats could enter the property.
These small details make a difference. These points make a difference. They show you have thought it through.
In both case the landlord said yes to their cats.
Better:
– Houses. Own front door, no neighbours to deal with.
– Ground floor. With cats a high up flat with a balcony may be a concern, unless the landlord or the building will allow netting. No harm in asking.
– Hard flooring, can be partial with some carpets. If the landlord is concerned about scratching on wood, you could say you’ll cover it with rugs.
Avoid:
– New refurbishments. Landlords will be uneasy.
– Strict buildings. Some have lots of rules and regulations or just say no to pets full stop. That can’t be overruled.
- Speak to the Right People
Call agents directly. Makes such a difference speaking to people. Get them to understand your requirements. Show you are serious and can move quickly. They’ll then take you seriously and tell you of other properties, that will be coming on the market. You need to be on their ‘A-list’.
Where possible, speak to landlords. Open Rent is a where you can contact landlords direct. Some prefer no pets and that will change with the new laws. The problem is that they can use ‘many enquiries’ as an excuse.
The Renters’ Rights Act
Landlords cannot “unreasonably refuse” pets. But multiple cats may still be seen as higher risk.
Landlords may well argue that the property is not suitable for more than one pet. That may be the issue with tenants already in situ asking to have cats or new tenants.
Many New Developments / Build TO Rents Have Pet Caps
I know for a fact that some many Build To Rents have pet caps. No more than 2 pets. It is up to the discretion of the site manager and is enforced.
I recently had a US client looking to rent with 3 cats. We secured them a cat friendly property in East London.
Most Build To Rents have scrapped the extra ‘pet rents’ with the Renters Rights Act. However, I did come across a new London development, with a pet spa, that was charging £70 per pet per month!
The Bottom Line
Renting with multiple cats is harder but possible. I have done it for clients with 5, 4 and 3 cats or client with 2 dogs and a cat etc.
You name it, at Pets Lets have advised clients renting with multiple cats and dogs.
It is all about paperwork preparation, presentation, affordability, being a responsible pet owner, being decisive upon finding the right property and good communication with the agent or landlord.
Need Help Getting a Landlord to Say Yes to Pets?
The Rent Ready (With Pets) service helps you approach agents the right way, structure your application properly, and uncover opportunities others miss.
About the Author – Russell Hunt
Pets Lets Expert Insight
This article was written by Russell Hunt, co-founder of Pets Lets, a specialist service helping tenants secure pet-friendly property to rent in London and across the UK.
With more than 30 years of experience in the London property market, Russell works with tenants, landlords and estate agents to make renting with pets possible in practice, not just in theory. His work focuses on helping pet owners present strong applications, prepare properly for competitive markets, and navigate landlord concerns around pets.
Through Pets Lets, Russell supports UK tenants with pets as well as educates landlords with UK properties on the benefits of dog friendly rentals and cat friendly rentals in London and across the UK.
Russell also runs the community “Relocating to the UK with Pets”, helping thousands of members understand the realities of travelling to the UK with pets.
Learn more about pet-friendly renting advice and services at Pets Lets
For further guidance on renting with pets, visit Dogs Trust’s Lets with Pets
