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Originally Posted by 2dogsandachick  My landlord at the time lived around the corner. Since I work in the industry I was aware of the vacancy rates in the area, and I was able to weigh the risk of eviction versus knowing he needed my rent. I moved out in January this year - I drove by recently and the house is still vacant. I'm not advocating, just saying.
I negotiated the pet fee down to half on the first place I lived when I got my first dog for the same reasons, but it was a lease coming up for renewal so I had more leverage.
Most landlords won't evict you, as it costs more to do that than it's worth for that case. But they will expect to be paid immediately in arrears for the fee/deposit/pet rent if caught. |
True, but if the landlord is anything like the lady my dad works for, having an empty house, apt, or whatever doesn't matter to her. If she said something, everyone agreed to it, then you try to change it later, she will get rid of you. If it's a lease violation you can be evicted. I'm not saying that the OP's landlord is a hardass like the lady my dad works for, I'm just saying be careful.
And negotiation is usually more effective before you sign anything. My friends just recently found themselves as property owners (unfortunate actually). They live in TN and their property is here in LA, so they left my dad and I in charge of their properties. As things are, they are already planning on getting rid of all their tenants. When they became property owners, they implemented their own rules, which at the moment all the tenants signed and agreed to. It's nothing out of the ordinary. My friends just asked for people to pay their rent the first of the month, keep their apt clean to avoid pests, and put a limit of one dog per apt. After signing, and a whole month later, ALL the tenants are extremely upset. They want out because the previous owners allowed the tenants to do as they pleased, which led to a roach infestation, rats chewing on the walls, and overall sub par conditions. I've already explained and gone over the contract with each tenant several times.
There is one girl that is in the same situation the OP is in. She wants a second dog, and went ahead and got one. She is extremely dirty, the back room smells of urine and feces, and dog food was scattered everywhere which attracted rats, and they never seem to be able to pay on time and refuse to do their part to keep their apt in sanitary conditions. She is demanding the new landlords (my friends) to clean up her apt and get rid of the rats and roaches, and allow her to keep her second dog. Why would my friends allow a second dog if she can't handle one? The rules are there for a reason, not because landlord's are trying to be unreasonable and mean.
Moral of the story...Although it might be harder, I would talk to the landlord and do things upfront. It's easier on you, and the landlord, especially if you show to be a good tenant that keeps things clean, has a well behaved dog, and can show that you won't be a tenant from hell like the girl I mentioned above. Pay everything on time, and be an exceptional tenant and I'm sure your landlord may be more receptive to your request.
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Originally Posted by yorkie_mama22 I mean to me two small dogs equal one big one?  |
My thinking exactly! Too bad not everyone thinks the same.
