no cats allowed even though another tenant has a dog?

Question

I am renting from a landlord that states (it is in my lease, but he did not mention the "no pets" rule until right before we signed the lease!) that I may not have pets in my apartment. However, another tenant in the building has a dog, which he says is allowed because she was "grandfathered" into the apartment complex. Is this allowed? I do not understand why they get to have a dog and I can't have my harmless cat!

Answer 1

I have units that are strictly no pet, cat only, dog only, smoke free only and smoker only. That is because the allergy lobby has been so successful in passing laws, regulations and ordinances that dictate allergen free rental units. Some people are allergic to cats, some dogs so I have to have units that are strict about which type of animal can be or ever was in that unit. So far, they haven't gotten to birds and reptiles, but I expect they will.

Answer 2

Yes it's allowed, chances are the Landlord decided to change the rules after the neighbor already had her dog so it's technically "grandfathered" in since the dog was there before the rules were changed.

Cats can do a heck of a lot more damage than a dog. Cats can shred a carpet or if they pee just once it's literally impossible to get the smell out, whereas dogs it's easier. I have two dogs and you wouldn't know it because I keep the house clean, however, when I had two cats you definately knew I had cats, no matter how much I cleaned the carpet or cleaned their litter box you just couldn't get the smell of cats to go away. I could always smell cat pee.

Answer 3

Yes they can tell you no, The other tenant was there before they put that rule into effect. That is why they are "grandfathered" in it. So at one time pets were allowed but something changed the owners minds about pets, carpets, floors, walls all being distroyed probably got to be to much. So the newer tenants are just told no, and when the dog dies or the people move then that dog may stay.
Sorry!!!

Answer 4

Yes, the dog could easily have been "grandfathered" in. My 60lb dog was "grandfathered" when a rental I was in went to no animals over 20lbs. Also, even though I have two cats I adore and would have more if I had the space, cats are not harmless! In fact, some can be horribly destructive with their claws and urine. The landlord can do whatever he wants when it comes to pets and he is protecting his property. If I had a rental I would probably have a no pet clause also. Also, I would NEVER rent from anyone who has those clauses - my animals are part of my family.

Answer 5

It's because they had the dog there already before the rules changed to not allow them! He did not need to tell you it was in the lease because, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO READ THE LEASE BEFORE YOU SIGN IT!!! When the person with the dog moves out, no body will be allowed to have an animal. And by the way, cats are not harmless pets! They claw stuff up and spray and make the appartment STINK!

Answer 6

It is true. If someone has been living in the complex prior to the new ownership then they still follow the same rules that was under their original lease unless and new lease is signed. Unfortunately, because you signed the lease after it was stated to you that you couldn't have any pets, you are now obligated to follow the rules. Some owners allow people to pay extra money to have pets. Maybe you should ask about that.

Answer 7

He can do whatever he likes. As long as it's stated in your lease, and you are notified at the signing of the lease, it's legal. Maybe he IS stuck with the guy and his dog from when he bought the building. Maybe the guy has a really long lease, and he is stuck with it. I have found situations like this in the past where a new owner of a building is stuck with some ridiculous crap the old landlord put in leases. If I was him, I'd do the same thing.

Answer 8

Now, that is not fair! I would get a book called, "Tenant's Rights" (by Nolo Press). Unfortunately landlords can do basically whatever they want to and you should challenge this if he mentioned the "no pets" thing AFTER you signed the lease. I love all animals, but dogs are much more destructive to an apartment than a cat, and I've got a cat.

Answer 9

Personally i would bring it up with the landlord. Its dumb for them to not allow a cat when the other owns a dog. I know from experience that dogs are more troublesome then cats. I own both. So bring it up with the landlord. Plus the cat doesn't do much of anything other the sleep. Explain this to the landlord and i am sure the guy will be ok with it. If not... then i would go to the better business bureau. they know how to deal with people like him.

I own THREE DOGS and TWO cats and i know the dogs are worse then the cats. The house smells like dog all the time. They rip things up. Yah cats with claws rip things up to but thats what the down payment is for.

Answer 10

other tenant must've had the dog before the no pets rule was instituted. Besides most people will allow dogs & not cats because cats are more likely to urinate in the house, vomit on the carpet. claw carpet, blinds etc......you can't get the smell of cat pee out & they'd never be able to rent the place again!

Answer 11

That's entirely up to the landlord. He can allow pets in one unit and not in another, at his own whim. For your information, I would allow a dog BEFORE I would allow a cat. The reason is that cats are NOT harmless. They can scratch woodwork, claw at carpets (like a scratching pad) and cat urine is next to impossible to get rid of, short of replacing the carpet and sometimes the wood UNDER the carpet.