Will My Landlord Know I have a Cat?

If you have a cat and you’re moving into a new apartment, you might be wondering if your landlord could find out about your cat.

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Will Your Landlord Know if You Keep a Cat?

The answer is yes, your landlord will know that you have a cat.

No matter how much confidence you have in your “sneaky” skills, a landlord is bound to find your cat one day or the other. For starters, your apartment will start smelling like a cat.

How will you ensure that your cat stays away from doors and windows at all times?

Oh, and what about your neighbors? You can’t just trust someone to keep a secret like this when you don’t even know them.

The bottom line is that sneaking in a cat without your landlord’s knowledge can’t last long. And once your cat is discovered, you can get in trouble. This is especially true if your apartment building has a strict “no pet” policy.

Some people like to believe that their cats are exempted from the “no pet” policy because they aren’t as noisy or messy as other types of animals. But that, in fact, isn’t true.

Cats very much come under the no pet policy, and you will be breaching the terms of your lease by sneaking your cat into an apartment building with a no pet policy.

Why do landlords insist on a “No Pets” policy?

Most landlords have a “No Pets” policy for their apartment complexes, not because they despise animals or don’t want you to have a cuddle buddy. This policy is much more reasonable than that.

First, pets are a threat to property. Even if it’s not a huge threat, they still damage the property with wear and tear. Plus, they do make apartments smell.

And you have to remember that other tenants may be allergic to animals.

All of these reasons give landlords a solid ground for implementing the “No Pets” policy. That is why the landlords that do allow pets in their apartments charge an extra deposit per month.

It is the insurance of sorts that can be tapped into when an animal damages the property.

Even if you’re a great pet parent, your landlord wouldn’t know that.

Besides, this policy is not targeted towards a single-tenant anyway. So, it makes sense for landlords to have a “No Pets” policy or the requirement of a monthly pet deposit.

Will the apartment start smelling because of my cat?

Regardless of how responsible you are with your cleaning, there is no stopping that cat smell from building up in your apartment.

Yes, your efforts are going to make a difference in the intensity of the smell, but there is no guarantee of completely eradicating it.

It’s very common for pet owners to not notice the smell because they become used to it. But anytime someone visits, they’ll definitely smell a cat in your apartment.

That is why it’s nearly impossible to keep a cat hidden from your neighbors and landlord in an apartment.

Therefore, trying to sneak a cat inside a “No Pets” apartment complex will not be in your best interest.

It is always better to come clean and let your landlord know about your situation beforehand.

What will happen if my landlord finds out about my cat?

Now, you may be wondering what will happen when your landlord finds out about the cat that you snuck in. Well, there are only two possible consequences that could follow.

If the landlord is serious about their “No Pets” policy, they can evict you from the apartment.

If you signed a lease with the “No Pets” policy, then the eviction is even more likely. The apartment complexes and landlords that take this policy very seriously will not go easy on you.

Some of them may not even be willing to talk. Some people hate being lied to, especially when it comes to tenants.

Once your landlord finds out that you lied, the trust gets broken, and there’s no way you could turn it around.

On the other hand, there are landlords that might go easy on you and not evict you right away.

But rest assured, you’ll still be liable to pay a pet deposit, or they might increase your rent up by a notch. In that case, you will be allowed to stay in your apartment, but it would come with an extra cost.

If you have a good relationship with your landlord, you could talk them into letting your feline friend stay in exchange for a monthly deposit. They may understand your situation and let you off the hook.

It may be easier for you to convince your landlord if your pet is quiet and doesn’t cause too much trouble.

However, if your cat loves running around in the hallways of the building, then your landlord will have a good reason to refuse to let your pet stay.

But it all comes down to your landlord. Once you have violated a regulation, you are left at their mercy. They can choose to let it slide, they could ask for a pet deposit, or they could just evict you right away.

You lose your rights and power the moment it is discovered that you breached the lease that you signed.

The reaction of your landlord also depends on the other tenants that live in the apartment complex.

If someone has severe allergies and you put them at risk by keeping a pet on the property, then your landlord may not have a choice but to evict you.

Why lying to your landlord about your cat is a terrible idea?

By now, you probably already understand why it’s a terrible idea to sneak in your cat behind your landlord’s back.

Keep reading as we elaborately explain why you should not go down this path!

Risk of eviction

For starters, lying to your landlord about your cat pet can get you evicted right away.

This is a definite possibility if you live in an apartment complex with a strict No-pets policy. This policy is usually implemented because other tenants may be allergic.

It could also be that your landlord’s insurance policy doesn’t cover the wear and tear damage caused by pets.

Moreover, eviction isn’t the worst-case scenario. On top of that, your record as a tenant will suffer due to this setback.

You may not find a place in a nice area or apartment complex for some time. Or you could be charged extra rent for your bad record.

All these situations put in an unfavorable situation, which you could’ve avoided by being honest with your landlord.

You can’t rely on your neighbors

When you move into a new apartment complex, you can’t expect your neighbors to be all nice and understanding.

If they spot your cat, they are very likely to report you to the landlord. That is why you can’t trust your neighbors and fellow-tenants to keep your little secret.

Plus, lying sets a very terrible impression on people. What’s more, is that your neighbor might be allergic to cats.

They could end up having allergic reactions because you sneaked in a cat. In any case, it’s not a great situation to be in.

Extra costs

When your landlord finds out about your cat, there is a big chance that they might charge you a deposit in exchange for letting you stay.

This deposit will add the extra cost to your budget.

Moreover, if your cat is discovered after causing damage to the property, your landlord could sue you for damages on top of evicting you from the premises right away.

It’s not good for your cat

Let’s face it! Your pet deserves the best, and if you confine them to a small space and never take them out for fresh air, it just wouldn’t be fair to them.

Cats love moving around, sitting on the windows, and taking in the sunlight. When you take that away from your cat, it may start feeling sad or depressed.

Conclusion

Yes, you love your pet but need to comply with the regulations that you agreed to.

If the apartment complex follows a “No Pet” Policy, then you should consider looking for other options where they don’t have such regulations.

In any case, it’s not good practice to lie to your landlord. It doesn’t only put you in trouble and at the risk of eviction.

It also corrupts your record as a tenant, and you may have a hard time finding decent places in the future.

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