My landlord told me I should get rid of my cat because....?

Question

My landlord called and told me he'd be showing my apt. I was out today and unable to do some finishing up touches for an apartment showing like finish my dishes, pick my up dirty clothes, and clear my tables of papers. I told him it was messy but I am not around as much as a warning before he showed anyone "today". Another day would be different.

Anyway, he proceeded to ask me that if I was gone, "Do you still have your cat?"

I told him, "yes."

He said, "If you are not home I would like you to remove your cat from the building then."

I'm told him, "If I'm not home it be no more than a weekend visiting parents."

He told me, "Still, then you should get rid of your cat."

I can understand his concern that cats get naughty, but never once was I told, "You can have a cat UNLESS you decide to leave for the weekend."

Yes, my apartment allows cats. On my lease he even hand wrote, "One cat allowed."

My cat is a very good cat. He likes to just sleep under the bed or in the closet when I'm gone. When my mom watches him he just sleeps and occasionally come out to play with his stuffed toy. I just can't understand a landlord wanting me to get rid of him if I am away for just a weekend couples times a month.

Answer 1

This is very simple. If there are no restrictions in your lease then it is tough on the landlord. Furthermore, you have a right not to have him show the place while you are gone so you should tell him that you are doing him a favor and that if he broaches the subject again, his access will be limited

Answer 2

He's just being a jerk. You don't have to get rid of your cat. He just doesn't want it there when he's showing people the house (which he cannot do without giving you proper notice, usually 24 hrs at least).

He also doesn't want the cat destroying his property and thinks that you "not being around much" means you're abandoning the property with the cat left inside. Explain to him that this is not the case: you are just very busy and at school/work/running errands most of the day every day, but you return to the apartment every night. The cat is not left alone for extended periods of time. Depending on what you think his response would be, you could tell him that a close friend checks on your cat if you are gone for the weekend. This is legal, but he might put up a fuss about someone else having keys to his place. Whatever happens, he CANNOT make you get rid of your cat. He could seek compensation if the cat actually ruins his stuff, but he can't start making up new rules after the lease is signed.

Answer 3

Get a new landlord as soon as possible. Yes, move. This guy is a control freak or something. If you have it in your lease that you can have your cat, then he has no business telling you that you should get rid of it. I'm a little paranoid, but now I would be worried that my cat would disappear. I would close a tiny string in the top of my door when I leave every day and see if he's going in your apartment when you don't know about it. If you come home and the string is gone, you know someone opened the door. I trust landlords as far as I can throw them.

Answer 4

A) If it's in your lease that you are allowed to have a cat, that's not even an issue. He has no right to ask you to take it out of the apt for the showing.

B) You have the right to refuse him from showing your apartment on a certain day. Yes, you have to give him SOME access, but you have the absolute right to mandate that you are there when he shows it or tell him whatever day is not a good day for you.......maybe you would be entertaining on a specific day and he shows up with a bunch of people. You need to put your foot down with him. It's on him to get the apartment rerented and unless is specifies in your lease that he can put it up for showing while you are still in there, he can't do that either.......at least in NJ, but renter rules are probably different everywhere.

Answer 5

Is it in your lease that you can't have pets? If it isn't he hasn't a leg to stand on. You also have the right to tell him he can only show anyone the apartment when you are there *and* it's convenient. Otherwise he can wait till you've moved out.

What is he expecting you to do, take Little Tiddles to work with you every day. He's using these threats to try and get you to move out sooner, and that's probably illegal. I'd strongly advise you not to let him know when you will or will not be there. Also, if you've told him you'll be away, turn up unexpectedly. He should not be inside the apartment without your invitation and without you being present. Make him give reasonable notice and book an appointment. Add an extra lock to the door to keep him out.

Answer 6

That landlord sounds like a real jerk. He may be overstepping his boundaries. Check your paperwork.
I have 2 indoor only cats and have been around cats my entire life. I have never had a problem. Cats are easy. It sounds like this landlord is a control freak. So the cat is there, big deal. Just pay attention so the cat doesn't get out.
When I go away, I have a pet sitter come in once a day.
Maybe you can board your cat for the weekend?
You shouldn't have to get rid of the cat. Your landlord's language is just wrong. He sounds like an illogical fool.

Answer 7

Some leases say somthing about the amount of time an animal can be left alone before having to be removed. he may mean that if you are gone for a weekend, 2 to 3 days, you should not have an animal. Most pet owners do not leave their animals alone that long. I do think there are "humane" restrictions on leases. I know my last lease gave the landlord rights to take our animals if they felt they were in any "danger".

Answer 8

By law he needs to notify you 24 hours BEFORE he comes into your apartment, so if he's going in when you aren't told, he's not doing it legally.

Have you asked him his concern for your cat? Is it that he's afraid it'll get out if the door is left open when he's showing the place & you'll sue? Is he afraid the cat will attack someone? It's your pet, he approved it's living there, if he takes it out without your approval that's considered stealing your personal property--make REAL sure he knows that you consider any theft of your pet by him as something strictly illegal. He doesn't have the jurisdiction to remove an animal from your home. Some landlords don't know the law, make real sure he's not going to get hold of your cat and do something to it.

Answer 9

Your landlord has NO reason to be in your apartment if you are not there unless you've asked for a repair. He should have other apartments available to show and if the buildings are that full, why is he showing apartments at all? I'd try to move ASAP because I don't trust the guy as far as I can throw him. He sounds very slimy and gross. This sounds very fishy all around.

Good luck and I hope you and the cat are ok!

Answer 10

Unless you are planning to move out and that is why he's showing YOUR apartment...why did he pick yours as his "show" apartment?
If it was me, I would absolutely NOT let him show it (regardless of the reason) without my being there. You never know what kind of scum go apartment looking just to steal things while they are there. I really would not want a bunch of strangers casing my apartment, especially with you living alone!!!!!
The cat issue is the least of your worries, unless the day comes that you come home to no cat because some "viewer" decides they like your cat and the landlord gives them a BS story and they all decide that your cat is better off in someone Else's house and they take it!
NEVER let ANYONE in your home while you are not there!!!!!

Answer 11

Get your lease out and read to see what it says see if there is any claws (pun) in the lease about animals or pets. Then send or hand him a copy and underline where does it say to remove the cat Did you pay extra for damages for the cat when you did take the apartment (like put extra money down in the deposit of the apartment)? and then if there is no damage to the apartment due to the cat you can get that money back when you leavve the apartment for good. But it should be in your lease. If not he can't tell you to get rid of it.
good luck.