Cats first arrived in Britain 3,000 years ago.
Today, roughly 26% of households in the UK own a cat, according to Cats Protection. This equals around 12.5 million cats.
And now, flats are also one of the most common types of property in the UK.
Yet, many people are unaware whether a cat can live in a flat.
Can a cat live in a flat?
The answer depends mainly on the flat’s ownership model.
If you’re renting
If you’re renting in the flat, you need permission from the landlord. Not all landlords allow pets, though some do. This should be written in your contract.
Your written agreement will typically have a pre-existing clause about keeping pets.
If you’ve already signed it, you should check to see what it says.
This could be amended if you negotiate with your landlord. And if you haven’t signed it yet, you could ask for this to be permitted
If you own the flat (leasehold)
If you’ve bought the flat, you need permission from the freeholder. This should be put in writing in your leasehold agreement.
If you own the flat (share of freehold)
If you own a share of freehold, you may still need permission from the other share of freehold owners.
If you own the freehold
If you own the freehold for your flat, you can effectively do what you want (within reason!).
Is it good for the cat to keep it inside a flat?
Keeping a cat inside reduces its chances of chances of harm from:
- Traffic
- Wildlife
- Disease.
However, it also reduces its ability to roam.
Most cats roam between 40 to 200 meters from their homes at least once a day. And some have been known to travel up to 1500 meters (nearly a mule!).
According to the RSCPA, being confined inside can lead to some cats becoming:
- Bored
- Stressed
- Inactive
- Obese.
The likelihood of your cat developing these issues may depend on its breed (see below), sex, age, and personality.
Type of flat
It may also depend on what type of flat you live in.
Ground floor flats, for example, often enable cats to come and go as they please. As do many maisonnettes.
But being in a one-bedroom flat in a block of flats makes access and space a big issue.
Does the type of cat affect whether I can have one in my flat?
The breed of cat is highly unlikely to make a difference to whether or not your landlord agrees to you having one.
The situation is different When having a dog in a flat because of how widely dog breeds can vary.
Some breeds are more suited to living inside than others.
That said, there’s no doubt that some cats are more suited to living in a flat than others.
For example, the Norwegian Forest Cat or the Maine Coone cat are both large, and need to be outdoors more than most.
Can I amend my landlord’s rules about keeping cats?
Once you’ve signed the contract, you must honour those terms. But you can ask your landlord to reconsider.
Although they are under no obligation to do so.
Put your request in writing. Explain what changes you’d like to make. And why you’d like to make them.
Reassure the landlord of the steps you’ll take to ensure it’s not inconvenient to them.
You could even offer other bargaining chips. Increasing your rent payments is one example.
Your written contract must then be amended. Their word isn’t enough.
Tips for keeping a cat in your flat
Set up a litter box
Your cat needs a designated area to go to the toilet. Set up a litter box and ensure that you maintain this area.
It should stop the rest of your flat from becoming messy.
Make sure you have enough space
In a studio apartment, keeping a flat can be difficult. You need to have enough space for both of you.
A designated play area for your cat is a smart idea. And you may want to consider the breed you get, too.
Ensure it gets enough time outdoors
Cats are naturally outdoor animals. So, make sure your cat has time outdoors. This is essential for its health. You may see changes in its behaviour if you don’t.
Allowing your cat to roam around can be risky when you live in an awkward position in a high-rise building.
You might prefer to accompany your cat when it goes outside.
Sitting on a park bench while it roams around for thirty minutes could make you feel better that it’ll return safely indoors.
Create a safe pathway back to your flat
Following the above, living in a flat is not always easy to get inside.
You don’t want your cat to get locked out! And there’s rarely a flap in the main entrance door.
So, find a way to know where your cat is and ensure it doesn’t get into danger.
Buy pet toys
Toys are essential for your cat. It keeps them occupied and allows them to ‘vent’.
It will improve its physical and mental well-being. A cat tree is probably the most common type of toy.
Take measures if your cat is a nuisance to neighbours
While you’ve got a right to live peacefully in your flat, so do your neighbours. You don’t want to be a nuisance.
If you receive a complaint, it’s worth being cooperative and taking steps to fix it.
Otherwise, you may get reported, and your landlord can take action.
