Landlord found out about my little dog please advise.?

Question

i have been living in a 3 unit apt for ten years with my husband and two little boys. this is a NO pet apt. and 3 months ago i rescued a little chihuhua and we decided to keep her. she is very quit and calm. and everything was fine until my downstairs neighbors told on me (which they say are very sorry for doing that ) and he showed up at my door and told us the dog has to go. i had been on celexa for a year until i found the dog and slowly came off the pills and my dr. was very happy and told me that the dog probably had something to do with it. i now am going crazy since this morning and dont know what to do. my landlord is an attorney in san diego, who comes by once a month to collect the money from the laundry room.. he does not live on the premises. my neighbors told me go ahead and keep the dog and if he asked we'll say that she's gone, but i dont want to lie and be evicted incase he finds out. is there a law or anything that i can do to keep my dog. please advise. tx

Answer 1

No im sorry, I dont think there is a law for that but I wish they where.I recomend you either talk to your landlord about your problem and tell him how its helped to have your dog around and if he wants proof than have your doctor right out a note about stating how much your dogs improved your health and if that doesnt work than I would try finding a new aparment that is pet friendly so you can keep the dog.I know it is hard to find them these days because I was once in your position, but I would atleast try. having to give up this dog may not be good for you our the dog. Dont lie to your landlord unless its your last resort because sooner or later they will catch up with it no matter if they only visit once a year. Remember your neighbors could get angry at you for any reasoon and tell on you. Also praying could help alot.

Answer 2

While I can sympathize with you,but I cannot condone your actions either. You knew when you moved in there you could not have a dog. So keeping it like you have is wrong. And the law will be on your landlords side.

I am don't know what a 3 unit apt means, and I don't know how big your apartment is either, but I will bet it is not enough room for 2 growing boys and 2 adults. So if it were me I would look for another apartment, or a house..Or re-home the dog..

What you have done to this dog is very sad to me. You say you rescued it, from where only you know. But now that dog has to be re-homed again and it will only hurt her, doing further damage to her.

Answer 3

Talk to your landlord, explain how the dog has helped your medical condition. Offer to pay a deposit for the pet. There's little the law can do if you signed a "no pet" lease. The landlord has the right to evict you since you broke the lease.
So it's either try to convince him you are a responsible pet owner that will maintain the apt with the pet living there or look for a pet-friendly place to live. I wish you luck.

Answer 4

Can you find a new place to live that likes pets and neighbors that like pets also? If not, do you have a friend that you can leave the dog with once a month when the landlord comes? When he asks about the dog you can truthfully say that a friend is taking care of the dog for you.

Answer 5

Try getting a letter from your doctor stating that the pet has helped your health. I'd keep the dog and if the landlord happens to see it while he's collecting the rent, say it belongs to a relative and you are just watching it for a day or two while they're away. Sometimes you have to lie. And if it isn't huring anyone, maybe you could come to some arrangement with your landlord. Ask him if he could grandfather you since you've been there for so long.

Answer 6

Cathy, I'm sorry to tell you that a lease is a legally binding contract, and since you signed one knowing that you cannot have dogs, the little dog has to go. If you don't get rid of the dog, your landlord has a legal right to evict you.

The good news is that this little dog seems to have improved your mental health a lot, so maybe it is worth it to move into a place that will let you keep her. Talk to your landlord and see if he will let your family out of the lease early so you can move someplace that allows dogs.

I agree with you that honesty is always best, and I think that if you are honest with your landlord he will work with you. Even lawyers have hearts (some of them). Don't expect him to allow you to keep the dog where you live now, though. That's unreasonable.

Good luck to you.

Answer 7

Fortitudinou's answer is best. If you really want to keep the dog, and it's therapeutic for you, see if you can find a house or another apartment that allows pets - most that do have a 20# weight limit.
You really should be thinking about mortgage vs rent also...for what you pay in rent you could be building equity, as well as making your own rules :])
If you must get rid of the dog, see if there is a local rescue that can place her for you, or help you place her. Please don't go the "Free to Good Home" route. Most people looking for a free dog are looking for snake food, fighting dog bait, or simply aren't going to give the dog the care and attention it deserves.
Best wishes to you, I hope all works out.

Answer 8

I don't think there is much you can do. It's probably written in your rental agreement that you signed when you first moved in. He has every right to evict you if you don't get rid of the dog. Sorry, it sounds like the dog is really special to you. Maybe you can check into how it can become a licensed service dog, they let those dogs go everywhere. Maybe your doctor could write a letter explaining the situation to your landlord. If all else fails beg and pled with him. I know it's not always easy but you might have to move. It might come down to move or get rid of the dog. good luck

Answer 9

Well, that was not a good idea!!!! Maybe move to a place that lets you have the dog, or it will have to go or you risk eviction!!!!!

Why would you think there would be a law that would let you keep the dog when you KNEW it was a no pets apartment!!!!! People should have better sense!! Do not blame the landlord!!!! He made it clear from the start!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

Is there a law? Yes. It has to do with contracts and you signing one that says you agree not to have pets. I think your only loophole would be to somehow get the doctor to say you need a pet for theraputic reasons and then MAYBE you'd be covered under the ADA but good luck with that. To me it would be an abuse of a law made to protect people...not create ways for people to break the law. If I were you I'd do the right thing by getting a place that will allow pets. Just think of the example you're setting for your kids right now. Rules are made to be broken? I don't think so.