Ontario cat pawrent works with real estate agent to find a cat-friendly condo, only to find out that the realtor never checked the condo bylaws: 'The building has a no-pet policy'

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Aug 29, 2026 7:00 AM EDT

He hired the movers. He took time off of work. He paid the first and last month's rent, and the deposit. All the moving boxes and furniture were inside, but the most important thing was missing - his cat.

If you have pets, moving becomes not only a physical ordeal, but also a mental and emotional one. First, you have to find a place that allows pets and sign your life away in case your cat somehow turns into an agent from the underworld and destroys the very foundation of the building (which is what it seems like every landlord expects your cat to do). Then, you have to help your pet adjust to the brand new space, which we all know can be harder than the move itself. Cats, and other pets, love consistency and routine. A new house throws all of that away and forces them to learn how to live their life in an unfamiliar place.

But, moving is a part of life, and just like all things, they will get through it… except in today's case, originally posted on Reddit by a cat pawrent in Ontario, Canada. Working with a real estate agent to find a new condo, he had finished the whole process, but literally saw some signs ("No Pets Allowed" signs) that made him question if everything was okay. After his whole life was moved into the new apartment, his realtor told him that they never checked the building's bylaws, and it turns out that his cat is not purrmitted in the apartment. Now he's stuck with his cat staying with a friend, thousands of dollars in the trash from moving, and an apartment that must remain cat-free. 

It's a good thing this didn't happen to me, because if it did, I would be on an unstoppable mission for payback.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10658425344
    via EthansSkinnyA**Arms
  • 02
    (Names and details removed) Toronto Canada. I worked with a realtor to find a pet friendly condo for me and my cat. He was acting as a dual agent between myself and the landlord. I listed my cat on the official lease, talked about it multiple times in person and over text. I
    via EthansSkinnyA**Arms
  • 03
    signed the lease, paid first and last, hired movers and moved from a different city over an hour away. I finally got the place set up and was ready to bring my cat home and the relator tells me he forgot to check the condo rules and they have a strict pet bylaw at this building... Now my cat is stuck in purrgatory until I can find a
    via EthansSkinnyA**Arms
  • 04
    new place (I have asked for all money back and to be reimbursed for the movers here and to my new place, lets see what they say) FREE MY CAT!
    via EthansSkinnyA**Arms
  • 05
    I haven't moved my Cat to the new place yet I just wanted to check to see if there are any additional things I need to do before I do? No problem with the cat I think we noted it. The is no law against it. Damages are your responsibility. However. Okay great, I just didn't want to be kicked out, I keep seeing no pet things everywhere No problem I can call management to confirm. I just confirmed with the management and this building does a have a No pet policy including cats. I am asking the land
    via EthansSkinnyA**Arms

  • No matter if you do it yourself or hire professional movers, moving houses is the worst. Your whole life gets flipped over, becomes a giant, unorganized mess (and as a Virgo, there is nothing more stressful than living in uncontrolled chaos), and on top of all of that, it's expensive. And incredibly time-consuming. If you think it will take X amount of hours, you should probably triple that number and you'll have a more accurate estimation of how long it will take. And that's just the packing and moving part, let alone unpacking everything in your new place.

  • 06
    OREA Ontario Real Estate Rental Application Form 410 Association for in the Province of Orie Residential We hereby make application to re to become due and payable in advance on Len Drivers License No 2. Name Drivers License No 3. Other Occ Nome Nome Do you have any pet Yes I cannot give you an answer counter to the bylaws. of a monthly rent day of each and every month during my tenancy SIN No Optic Date of birth Occupation Date of birth Occupation SIN No. Optional Toronto Real Estate Board Rela
    via EthansSkinnyA**Arms
  • 07
    Hi This isn't about looking for suggestions from the landlord. You represented both me and the owner, confirmed in writing that my cat was fine, and had me sign a lease based on that assurance. You failed to verify the building bylaws before greenlighting my pet. I need you and s to fix this breach of your professional duty. A solid answer by 5pm please Friday 5:02 PM The building has a no-pet policy I had confirmed with the owners but could have verified the building's rules before confirming t
    via EthansSkinnyA**Arms
  • 08
    Let's proceed through email I will cc the Broker of Record and Landlord My apologies. Let's follow up over the weekend. Thanks, I need the weekend to figure this out, I'm out a lot of money from this.
    via EthansSkinnyA**Arms
  • 09
    PreOpTransCentaur Ohh I no. THEY are gonna be the ones out a ton of money. This is an absolutely absurd oversight.
    via PreOpTransCentaur
  • 10
    tsian I mean, if they dig in their heels, this seems like an easy win in small claims. The agent or landlord obviously owes you all your costs and deposit, etc., back.
    via tsian
  • 11
    Awkward_Ostrich_4275 You have a legally binding contract so all moving costs, fees (including realtor fees), deposits, etc all need to be repaid to you at the condo owner's cost. If they don't want to, you can move in and they'll get fined. I'd move yourself and your cat in now so you have the leverage you need to get them to pay out everything.
    via Awkward_Ostrich_4275
  • 12
    rosegoldblonde I wonder what happens if you stayed lol. The owner would get fined I suppose but if it's on your lease I wonder if you could just stay the entire year with the cat anyways lol.
    via rosegoldblonde
  • 13
    NO PETS ALLOWED Thank you
    via Steve DiMatteo

    No pets allowed sign 

    Scene is illustrative and does not depict actual individuals or events.

  • 14
    Stonecoldross Idk if anyone else has flagged the "A conversation may make sense before deciding how to proceed, as this is a major decision."
    via Stonecoldross
  • 15
    OP this realtor is going to try to buy you into rehoming your cat vs fixing their error. You will absolutely have a fight on your hands. I would at the very least consult an Attorney before moving forward. Bring your cat home in the meantime.
    via Stonecoldross
  • 16
    This-Penalty-1686 this is the definition of "you had one job"
    via This-Penalty-1686
  • 17
    Fit-Magazine-6669 he signed the lease aswell... its his problem now.
    via Fit-Magazine-6669
  • 18
    Autumnwood If you signed the lease and they signed and accepted it, it is binding. This is the realtor's fault - keep any notes and logs and expenses involved in case you need that later. Our pets are our family. It should definitely be easier
    via Autumnwood
  • 19
    RENT HOUSE
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    People reviewing a rental agreement

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 20
    loony-cat You're in Ontario. Let your landlord go thru the Landlord Tenant Board to evict you. It takes a good long while so pay your rent and stay put in your apartment with your cat. Whatever the condo board fines
    via loony-cat
  • 21
    your landlord is his problem, not yours. You declared your cat and that's on your landlord and their agent. If they offer you money to leave voluntarily only do it if they give you the money first and that it's in your possession. Do not move.
    via loony-cat
  • 22
    You don't have to leave without an official LTB notice which will only happen after a meeting with you, the landlord, and the LTB. Not some sheet of paper given to you by the landlord, or their agent, or the condo.
    via loony-cat
  • 23
    In Ontario, renters have rights too. Pets are allowed in rentals. The exception involves condo rules. You did your part and informed the landlord. It was on them to research the condo limits. Tell the landlord to go thru the proper channels. I'd start looking for a new apartment but for towards the end of the lease. You can't be pushed out.
    via loony-cat
  • 24
    Beartato4772 I would be insisting they pay any and all costs. All my movement costs, any lease break costs and I would be asking for a significant hourly rate for my time.
    via Beartato4772
  • 25
    davidg4781 I'm curious how this plays out. I'd start looking for another place using a different agency, just in case. And if they don't refund everything, definitely report them to the state agency that oversees that kind of work. It stinks like they didn't care because they wanted to get paid.
    via davidg4781

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realtor cat parents renting pet policy
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