We live in an apartment complex that allows pets, and we'd really like to adopt 2 cats, but I feel like their policy is unreasonable. If you get any pet, you have to pay $500 right away, and then $50 per month per cat, or if you got a dog it's $100 per month per dog. So if we adopt 2 cats, we'll have to pay them $1700 the first year and $1200 per year after that. I understand that they have a right to make their own policies, but doesn't that seem a little unreasonable??? It's going to cost a fortune to give 2 older cats a good home!
2007-01-09 19:14:58 · 10 answers · asked by Grace1228 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I live in New Jersey.
I understand having to pay something, whether it be a deposit or monthly fee, but we will probably live here about 5 years and there's no way two cats are going to cause over $6,000 in damage to the apartment...plus I feel they could just put in the contract that you will be charged extra when you move out for any damage your pets caused...
2007-01-09 19:30:56 · update #1
It is not uncommon for lanlords to charge a deposit and a monthly fee. I do feel thatyours is a bit steep. Many places will charge up to a 750.00 dollar deposit depending on the pet. So it really isn't the deposit that is unreasonable. The monthly fee is, however. In my experience the average monthly fee after deposit is 10 to 25.00 a month per pet. It is true that animals can cause alot of damage, even cats. And someplaces, rather than clean the carpet, will just replace the carpet regardless of the condition it is in because steam cleaning can never remove dander completely. So that may account for some extra cost. A word of advice about keeping pets on the sly though. If you decide to do this, bear in mind that it is possible you will be caught, whether it be by a repair man, pest control or through inspection. If you are caught, 1) to keep your pets you will be on the hook for not only the deposit and monthly fee 2) you may be charged a fine everyday until the animals are removed from the premesis or until all due payments are recieved 3) You may face eviction depending on where you live. I would consider moving when your lease is up and finding a place with a better policy if owning a pet means that much to you. I did this, and I made it a point to ask every landlord about their pet policies. Waiting is probably better than facing the possible fall out. It is also possible that your landlord put this policy in place to discourage pet ownership.
2007-01-09 19:58:28 · answer #1 · answered by Michelle F 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's really unreasonable. I would find a new place to live, because I personally don't put up with apartment complexes that charge so much money they discourage pets. Is it possible that the initial $500 was a deposit? Most apt complexes charge a large deposit, and then charge per month. Whenever I moved to a new apt complex, I negotiated a 2 for 1 pet fee, so I only paid for one pet even though I had two. When you move, try that. If the leasing agent seems hesitant, start talking about other apt complexes you've visited and things they have offered you.....it works.
2007-01-09 20:23:20 · answer #2 · answered by iloveeeyore 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Looking at this as a pet owner, yes that is ridiculous. This is why we own this place.
Looking at it as a landlord no. Animals do so much damage! I was in the business of cleaning up and repairing carpet after renters moved. This must not be a place people live at for long, if it were the costs would not be so much. People sneak in pets, leave there pets locked into the apartment after they move and never come back, do not care what the pet does because it is "just a rental".
You can thank all those others who lived there before you who wanted to have a pet, but did not take care of it.
2007-01-09 19:25:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes that sounds unreasonable. Most rentals charge a several hundred dollar deposit for pets. But I have never heard of a deposit plus a monthly fee.
2007-01-09 19:23:02 · answer #4 · answered by kitkat5 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pet policy is not unreasonable. He has probably seen a lot of distruction by pets and is asking for money, "up front" before a tenant moves.
When a pet tenant moves he has to pay to have the apartment, cleaned, the rugs (if any) shampooed, floors varnised, etc.
2007-01-09 19:22:38 · answer #5 · answered by newyorkgal71 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What a strange (and expensive) policy! It is a bit unreasonable. Just to be sure, go to the tenancy law for your state/province and read up on what the law allows for pet policies.
In any case, how would the landlords know that you've got two cats in there?
2007-01-09 19:20:18 · answer #6 · answered by catwomanmeeeeow 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The apartment complex doesn't have to allow pets at all, so they do have the right to protect their property by collecting additional rent.
It is a bit unreasonable, but the choice of a sleeping place by a 500-pound gorilla can also be quite unreasonable.
2007-01-09 19:19:52 · answer #7 · answered by Warren D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't see why it is essential that you pay $500 dollars right away. That doesn't make any sense and $50 dollars extra is kinda steep. Maybe $25 dollars a month because $50 a month is going to put you in the poor house and make your landlord rich! Which state do you live in?
2007-01-09 19:23:27 · answer #8 · answered by amyiswaykoo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh gosh they charge u to have animals????? Thats is soo stupid. In Australia when u rent you just have to have permission to have pets and make sure you get a flea exterminator in when you leave and have carpets cleaned!!!
I would get a cat and not tell them.
2007-01-09 19:23:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My last tenants left fleas. Want to know the cost of that and at who's expense? U R Lucky to have pets.
2007-01-09 20:39:52 · answer #10 · answered by mc_mommy 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋