the landlord is trying to charge a 500 dollar pet fee two weeks after we moved. we told the landlord's mother we had a dog and she said it should be fine and didn't think anything of it. the lease says NOTHING about animals at all.
our dog is a 20 lb welsh corgi
2007-07-08 07:45:22 · 8 answers · asked by isentaur 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
They don't have a leg to stand on.
Good luck!
2007-07-08 07:53:17 · answer #1 · answered by love2travel 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The lease has nothing in it about pets is a good start for you, however if the landlord claims that you stated you had no pets then they could win an eviction easily. The next question would be, Did you fill out an application? and if you did is the pet information on it. If it is, I would almost guarantee the landlord did not have a "leg to stand on" as he others have stated.
If you really like the place and want to stay, I would suggest that you talk it over with the landlord and make payment arrangements on the $500 or negotiate it down a little. If not I am sure you will not have a pleasant stay at your new home as landlords can find many ways to make your life at the home less appealing or find other reasons to evict.
Either way good luck with whatever you do.
2007-07-08 15:34:21 · answer #2 · answered by Richard Stephens 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It actually depends on what state you live in. There are some states in which the landlord can verbally change a previously signed lease agreement if the tenant has been living on the premises for less than three months and during that time the pet has been "hidden," or unseen by the landlord.
I would think that the landlord shouldn't be able to revise a signed lease with a verbal statement, but you'll definitely want to check the laws in your state to make sure your landlord can't get one over on you.
I wish you the best of luck.
2007-07-08 15:21:04 · answer #3 · answered by KicktBak 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the lease is silent on the issue of pets, the landlord doesn't have a leg to stand on. PERIOD!
You would, of course, be responsible for any damage that your pet does just as you would be responsible for any damage that you do yourself. The landlord cannot require any additional security deposit, charge added cleaning fees, or additional rent since your lease is silent on the issue.
2007-07-08 15:14:09 · answer #4 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the landlord is held to the four corners of the lease, if not in the lease or implied ie code enforcement then they can not change the terms of the lease during its time frame, now if you are month to month all the landlord has to do is give a month notice to change the terms
2007-07-08 16:16:20 · answer #5 · answered by goz1111 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find out the laws of your State on the issue.
2007-07-08 15:04:16 · answer #6 · answered by MrCool1978 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They have a right to charge a pet deposit and if you didn't tell them until after you signed the lease, it doesn't have to be in the lease.
2007-07-08 14:51:03 · answer #7 · answered by Gypsy Girl 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Read the tenant agreement laws of your state/county/city. They vary widely and it is hard to speculate.
2007-07-08 14:55:38 · answer #8 · answered by Misty D 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋