UK Landlord Forum / Life

I have been living in my rental property for a year and a half now with my mom and a cat.  Originally the owner stated no pets, but upon learning that it was a declawed tiny cat that has never been outdoors, she made an exception and added it to the lease in black and white. 

I recently received a letter from the management company stating that a cat has been spotted and that pets are not allowed.  That if this is so it needs to be re-housed immediately.

I get along with the landlord as well as you can, and I informed her of this.  She advised me to lie and state I was looking after it for a friend. After putting down the phone, and thinking on this, I realized that I cannot take that course of action. What is the best course of action?

If it's not allowed then the answer is obvious I would think.

Or just ignore and ensure the cat cannot be spotted again?

If this is a private let the property is the landlord's, not the management company's. If the landlord is happy with pets then get the landlord to inform the management company of this, you may have to pay a pet deposit (around £100 per pet) but that's up to the landlord to decide and for the management company to try and force out of you. The management company just need to alter a few things in the management contract between themselves and the landlord. Lying will just get you in more mess I'm afraid!

So three totally different answers - make your choice!!