Cat in apartment

On a recent maintenance visit to my apartment I noticed my tenants have a cat in the apartment. This is against the terms of their original lease. I am not that familiar with cats. Will a cat affect the apartment? Will it leave a smell or damage long term? The tenants have been good and we have a good relationship. Is it worth my while bringing up this issue or will I let the 'cat' sit?

Probably biased being an animal lover but most cats won't cause any problems. If it were me I would let the cat stay. If they are responsible tenants then they will most likely be responsible owners.

If the tenants are responsible on other matters then having a cat shouldn't result in any change to how they treat your property. They should have a scratching post etc. because they can damage the sofa otherwise but that would be their responsibility.

You might want to mention the cat to them, since you noticed it and it was in the lease and to keep everything out in the open.

As for being dirty, a cat will use a little tray and keep themselves very clean (can't say the same for dogs but at least they're friendly IMO!), there may be hair but no lasting scent or markings, bar the scratching...

Tom-cats are amongst the smelliest pets if they are not neutered. They spray their territories and the spray has a long-lasting, distinctive, pungent odour.

suicra05 said:

On a recent maintenance visit to my apartment I noticed my tenants have a cat in the apartment. This is against the terms of their original lease. I am not that familiar with cats. Will a cat affect the apartment? Will it leave a smell or damage long term? The tenants have been good and we have a good relationship. Is it worth my while bringing up this issue or will I let the 'cat' sit?

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If I were you, I would write a letter stating that you know that your tenants have a cat, following your maintenance visit on ......, and this is prohibited in the lease (is it also prohibited by the complex management company, which, if you are an owner you are part of that company?). Your tenants should be aware that if any "cat damage" (especially cat scratching marks) is found if and when they leave, that damage will be deducted from their deposit. You may also want to point out that any carpets and other fabrics will have to be professionally cleaned before the tenants vacate. If you know of the existence of the cat and "do nothing", you will be deemed to have accepted it.