verbal confirmation from body corporate to keep a cat now wants to be retracted
When I first purchased my flat +/- 10 years ago I obtained written permission to keep 2 cat. They were not allowed outside and in all the years of having them there was never one complaint. Unfortunately I had to rent out my flat for 2 years to take care of my elderly mother who was in ill health and her complex did not allow for animals so I had to give them away.
I moved back into my flat in April this year and a week or so after moving in rescued an abandoned kitten (vet confirmed it was approx 2 weeks old) that had been crying in the courtyard for 2 days. I notified a member of the body corporate that I had found this cat and was told that although they no longer allowed pets due to the amount of problems with people renting and having animals that as I had kept cats before, there had never been a problem and I kept them indoors I could keep this kitten but not to advertise the fact.
Yesterday I approached the same body corporate member as I wanted to adopt a kitten from the SPCA as companionship for the one I had whilst at work and was told in no uncertain terms that I could not obtain another cat and that in fact I should get rid of the one I have as she did me a favour by letting me have it in the first place or as another lady had done who wanted to keep her cat to move out. I told her that neither of the aforementioned was an option and I would fight this if necessary. Please can you give me some advice on how to pursue this matter
Category: Property, General Disputes
Region: South Africa, Gauteng
1 Answer
The body corporate has the power to make House Rules as far as the rules do not go against any law, especially
the Constitution, the Rental Housing Act and the Sectional Titles Act. I’m not so sure about pets but you can however address this complaint with the Rental Housing Tribunal.