New York City, May 8, 2008: RentLaw.com The National Landlord Tenant Guide announced today a Guide to PETS in Rental Housing and Laws.
RentLaw.com's Guide to Pets in Rental Housing provides information for landlords and pet-owning tenants.
Topics covered include: finding a pet-friendly rental, "PET" Security Deposits, security deposits in general, how to be a good pet-owning tenant, how to search for a pet friendly apartment and more.
The guide also discusses moving with your pet, The Humane Society, ASPCA and many other animal friendly organizations. David Dorfman, Publisher of RentLaw.com said "There is a large group of people who own pets and need to rent. Many landlords simply do not want to have a tenant with a pet for a number of reason." The site indicates several reasons - loud animals, smells might impact other tenants, damages caused by pets.
Dorfman noted there are an increasing number of complexes that advertise themselves as "pet-friendly" That includes hotels and motels that cater to pet owners.
What about "pet-security deposits"? Dorfman said that many states have regulating "pet deposits". The deposits range from zero (landlord has to use regular security deposit) to unlimited. (One additional month security could be considered standard in many states. See your state law list on RentLaw.com.
Learn more about Landlord Tenant Issues and Pet Laws and Pet Deposits on RentLaw.com - The National Landlord Tenant Guides.
2 comments:
We have large old urine stains in on our apartment floor from an unknown source. I recently baby sat a teacup chihuaha for a friend for less then a week. Management after seeing me with the dog is saying that we need to pay a pet deposit. I informed them we don't own a pet. They claim that they heard the dog whimpering one day from across the court while they where in another apartment cleaning. Which i don't understand because i was with the dog the whole time. The dog was never fussy. can they charge me a pet deposit if i don't own a pet? i understand the presence of a stain to be odd, but it's of no fault of the tenants. It seems we are being charged for an assumed opinion.
Andy. As a landlord I can see where the landlord is coming from and where you are coming from.
In your contract it probably stated that no pets were allowed on the premisis and if there was a pet you should pay a deposit for it.
The landlord doesn't know that it isn't your dog...all he sees is a dog on unauthorized property, which you would need a deposit for.
word to the wise* if you aren't allowed animals on your property...don't babysit for someone! you'll get in trouble and not them! the judge will side with the landlord if you go to court, posession is 9/10's of the law, and you have the dog in your posession.
But I can also see where you are coming from. explain the situation to the landlord and explain that you'll get someone else to watch the dog. if that doesn't go over well...offer to split the cost of a carpet cleaning with the landlord because the stains are obviously too large for the dog and couldn't have happened recently. That way you'll both feel better about the situation. (you can rent them at home depot for pretty cheap and do it yourself)
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