I have two dogs and my building only allows one. Approximately 10 other people in the building also have 2 dogs. Recently we all received letters stating to remove one of the dogs by the end of October or legal action would be taken. Nobody got rid of their other dog. Now I have received a second letter, this time from a lawyer. It seems I am the only one that received this second letter. I spoke to the other tenants that have 2 dogs and they didn't receive a second letter. Before I moved in here, I had an argument with the rental agent after I had signed my lease, and she made it very clear that she didn't like me. Could this be some personal vendetta? Why would I receive a second letter threatening further legal action and nobody else in the building did? Is there anything I could do? Is this discrimination? I would like advice from people with experience so I can figure out what my next step is.
2007-11-11 13:27:17 · 6 answers · asked by * Kimberley * 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
PS. I'm not looking to be insulted, ridiculed, or told to "get a grip". I'm looking for advice. I'd sooner burn the building down before I got rid of my beloved pet. And they did not ONLY serve me with the letter because it's "costly". They are a large corporation.
I'd like to hear from lawyers, not pet-less people with the intent to pass judgement.
Also, of importance: The first letter I received stated to remove a dog by October 31, 2008. Which is a year from now. I replied to them saying that I would do so, no problem.
2007-11-11 16:13:15 · update #1
You will lose this one why fight when you have no case Or you can just move out...
2007-11-11 14:21:15 · answer #1 · answered by johnboy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your next step is to get rid of your dog or be evicted. You know you are breaking conditions of the lease, and whether you are the first to go or the last doesn't make any difference, they are going to go after everybody who got the letter, one at a time, which is their option.
They will only do one or two at a time so they can concentrate their efforts on one at a time, and it is not discrimination.
Two dogs in an apartment is not appropriate, anyway.
Edit
Oh, talk of burning down the building is such a mature way of dealing with the situation you created by blatantly ignoring the rules, isn't it?
And don't be so ignorant as to assume the rest of us have no pets. I have had dogs and cats for 38 years. We even have a horse. I am an animal person. Two dogs in an apartment is not fair to the dogs.
2007-11-11 21:48:38 · answer #2 · answered by Fred C 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Forget discrimination. It's not part of the contest here. Your rental agreement prohibits two dogs period. The law is a shield but not a sword, says the maxim. Essentially, it means you can't use discrimination even if you can prove it to create a legal right where none exists. On these facts, that would be the right to maintain two dogs. Nuh-uh. Your neighbors may lying to you, or landlord may have a policy of taking on one fight at a time, maybe based on length of residence or complaints from other tenants. Whatever the rationale, you have no legal rights here. Lose one of the dogs.
2007-11-11 21:46:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no vendetta.....get a grip.
The apartment rules say only one dog....you decided to ignore the rules and have two. They have asked you to get rid of one and you have not done it.....they can evict you.
It has nothing to do with other tenants. No doubt, they will be served at some point. Perhaps the landlord can only handle one case at a time. It is a costly process for the landlord to get you evicted.
Just follow the rules and you won't have any trouble.
You chose not to do that so when the landlord takes you to court and evicts you, he will also be awarded his court costs....which you will have to pay.
2007-11-12 00:04:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Even if no one else received the first letter, you would still have to get rid of one of your dogs. Nothing you say here is illegal discrimination.
Yes, it was probably a bad idea to get into a tiff with the management if you were planning to breach the terms of your lease agreement.
2007-11-11 22:12:56 · answer #5 · answered by raichasays 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just tell them you got rid of the dog and be careful never to be seen with both of them. The police won't investigate as this is a civil matter and the owners will have a hard time proving anything - especially if you can board one dog or loan one to some friends for a while. I would be looking for a better place to live, though.
2007-11-11 21:55:04 · answer #6 · answered by Caninelegion 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋