How do I choose?? I might lose my baby. Please advise!
 

I will try not to make this too long winded. I have been a member here for a year and got my Pokey last October. I cannot have children so Pokey is my true baby. This last April I finally got my dream condo that I have been on a 6year waiting list for! Its been my dream for so long. In my complex there are 2 beautiful dog parks and all animals, even large dogs are accepted here. The community is gorgeous with walking trails, a river and the most dog friendly people. Well, the community sold to a new owner and that owner gave notice last month that ALL pets are now banned and we got a 60 day notice to vacate or remove pets. If we vacate however, they say we are breaking the lease, and for my 2 year lease I would pay a $6000 fine to move. Plus I am SO HAPPY here. I am so torn. Pokey can stay with my family nearby and will be very happy if I choose to go that route but I dont know if I can separate from her. But I cannot afford another move and the fine. Because Im in a lease, I am considering hiring an attorney with my other tenants (about 150 are willing to try to sue if we have any basis) I should be able to keep her here as a part of my lease agreement until the lease is up or be let out of my contract. But there IS a clause in my lease stating if the property is sold we MUST abide by the new owners lease/rules immediately. If I had known they might sell, I would not have purchased Pokey until I was sure. But back in October when I was at the top of the condo waiting list, they ASSURED me it was ok to get my baby and bring her there with me. So now if I have to rehome her and pay a fine I just am so torn.

What I am asking my fellow YTers for is understanding, support, advice and reassurance. PLEASE try not to make me feel anymore guily for even considering giving Pokey to my parents. I already feel like I m giving a child away and I feel like an unfit Mom. It has taken me a month to post this because Im so scared some people on here may scorn me. Please just tell me what you would do and try to understand my dilemma. This is my dream home. I would NEVER have done this to an animal had I been given the slightest inkling this could happen. 60% of why I waited so long for this home was because of the animal loving communtiy and the 2 dog parks WITHIN my residence. When I got word I was next to move in I started my LONG awaited Yorkie search and was blessed with my Pokey. I will stop rambling. Please just go easy on me with your comments. Thank you so much. I really need your support right now. I dont ever remember being this depressed in all my 35 years :(

This all sounds pretty heavy-handed of the new owners. Since so much was done by the previous owners to accommodate animals, I would guess that you're not the only one upset. If the new rule can be enforced, I wouldn't be surprised to see a mass exodus there (maybe that's what they want). You would have to ask yourself if this would still be your dream home if all the animals and animal lovers were gone. Why not let this play out for a bit to see what happens. You may have some legal recourse. At least you have a fall back plan by letting Pokey stay with your parents. I personally wouldn't want to live in such a place and would look for a way to get out of the lease without paying a penalty if that's what it came down to. Good luck with your decision... :aimeeyork :animal-pa :animal-pa :animal-pa :animal-pa :)

Oh boy. That's a very...crappy ...way to treat your tenants! (Sorry, not very eloquent this late at night.)

I think you've already been given the best advice. Do you have tenant associations or meetings?

I am so sorry for your dilemma. I know it is very costly to move and it is not easy, but I don't know if I could be without one of my furbabies. Some of the reasons you give for this condo being your dream place is because it is animal friendly and the dog parks. Since that will be changing, do your other reasons outweigh having Pokey with you? I don't know. Since your parents are close, you will be able to visit with Pokey, but then that's what you'll be, a visitor. This decision is very personal to you and it must be very difficult for you. I'm sorry. Good luck.

That just sounds illegal somehow. Personally, I'd be contacting the media. That's just plain wrong. :thumbdown:mad:

That's what I was thinking. It may not be illegal but it is so wrong. Sometimes the media can shame people into doing the right thing if you can get them involved.

I've seen that used quite effectively in certain situations. With the high numbers of pets involved, you might also contact local animal organizations. Some of the people involved in those charities are also very "influential" in the political arena as well.

I'm not completely sure of this (altho my dad's an attorney so I could call him tomorrow), but I don't think they can make you get rid of pets once you're already in there....I know when I lived in an apartment, they allowed small pets when I moved in, and then at some point, banned them; (I lived there for 14 yrs:eek:) but the residents who had been there when it was allowed were "grandfathered" in.
I know it's nuts, but I just don't think I could part with my pets that are dependent on me and love me...and I love them, so I'd do whatever it was that would make it possible to keep them. It would be like taking my children away and I'm just not willing to let that happen.

I feel so bad for you....and I think I'd take it to whoever you need to take it to (not sure who b/c it's late here, LOL..but City Council, attorney, renter's mediation ...check to see if there's such a thing where you live...I wish I could remember what it's called, but I know there was a legit group (county or city employ) when I lived in Napa.... go and present your case and say exactly what you've said here....and see if you can gather up the ohter people who are in the same boat...I would think that it would make a difference and maybe a ruling in your favor. Don't just stand by..you waited so long for that perfect spot as I'm sure the other animal lovers did and I don't think it's right for them to make you get rid of your pets or pay such an exorbitant fee for getting out of the lease early. In fact, they should be providing you with relocation and moving fees if they want you out so badly b/c you have a pet.
And regarding the homing with your parents....I think that's wonderful, and such a great "port in the storm", but I just hate to see people roll over and let these people come in and make your life stressful and unhappy....it's just not right. What is the difference if you keep the pet if you've had it before they took over, or not? Even if it has peed all over everywhere, as long as you're there, the carpet isn't going to be redone or anything else, so I don't get what their problem is. All they need to do is say that from now on, people who are renting there, can't have pets and to tell them that there ARE other people who DO Have pets and that's b/c they've been there since before that regulation went into effect.
All I can say is good luck to you; it's such a shame to have been in such a perfect spot and now someone comes along and couldn't care less about who rents there; as long as they don't have animals. In my experience, animals are the LEAST of their worries!

Oh yeah..contacting the media is Genius! Get all those people to give a call to the local news channel.....it sounds like a made for local news story!!!!

Well you have had some good ideas from posters to try and fight these new manger's rules. I am so sorry that this has happened. I truly don't know what to tell you, but it just seems cruel what they are doing, since it has been a pet friendly place beforehand. Good luck with it!

OMGosh! How could they be so heartless!? I think that you should fight this in anyway possible, be it through the media or through an attorney. The best of luck and keep us posted!

That is a GREAT idea! This story screams human interest and it is just so sad!

And..if they tie in an interview with the local rescues or shelters about how many homeless pets there are already right now with all of the foreclosures and the problems with the economy, that would be VERY effective I would think.

I mean, who could be so heartless? And don't feel badly... not very many of us could afford a $6000 fine for breaking a lease! :eek:

I concur with "Judy in Waco". Getting in touch with the media is a great idea providing your have a cooperating TV or Cable station and good sized newspaper. Before you do that you might try asking if you who already have pets couldn't just pay an extra amount in "pet deposit" and also on the monthly rent. I know it seems hard-hearted, but having been on the landlords side of the pet issue, pets can do devastating damage in just a short time if not controlled and supervised....sometimes even if they are. So that tends to turn landlords hard-hearted. :(

:aimeeyork I hate what these new owners are trying to do:mad: This is downright not ok! i think that since tenats who have already been living in thse condos with animals, should be allowed to have them! I would definately seek out legal advice, as well as get the local media involved. DO whatever it takes to keep your animals and live where you are at! I am so sorry you have to deal with this. It makes me mad for you.... :aimeeyork

hire a lawyer
 

sue them for causing pain and anguish:animal-pa

Thank you..DEEPLY, from my heart. You have given me great advice and I may actually sleep tonight! I do know that at least 60% of the owners here are in my same position, but to feel the support from you guys really touches my heart and gives me the strength to fight. From the bottom of my heart....to all of your replies.....my deepest THANK YOU. Im feeling more at ease with your support than I have all month. I wish I would have turned to your open hearts weeks ago. Thank you. So very much, all of you.

This is really a hard call, one thing I know for sure is that none of us really knows what is going to happen from one day to the next. This was nothing that you had any control over. If you could have seen in the future - you probable would not have moved there. So, no one should be anything but understanding to your situation. It's a heartbreaker!

I would say fight, if there is any legal way for all the residents to fight the new owners demands by all means - do it!!

Well I think nobody can tell you what to do on this ..... that's up to you !

But here is what I would do .... it might be a nice Condo in a nice Neighborhood but ask yourself what is MORE important to YOU .... a Condo without your Furbutt or the love of you life with you in a new Home ....
If I had to choose between a place to stay and my dog .... I'd find a new Place .....

Ditto, what she said. Seriously, if our landlord told us today that we had to get rid of our pets or move, well, I'd just have to start packing our place up. Our furkids are part of our family and I won't give them up for any place. I hope things work our for you and you'll be allowed to keep your furbaby.

I know that in California if you have an "emotional support" animal, landlords are required to allow you have your pet. If you can find a doctor to write you a letter that says that Pokey is an emotional support animal. That might be one way to get around this unreasonable landlord. Good Luck, I feel so bad for you, it is a heartbreaking choice.

thank you! I am actually trying to fight using that precident! I am not physically "disabled" but I am unable to bear children and my attorney seems to think that is a similar fight. So thank you for the positive thought from all of you and I pray any way to keep my Pokey and my home will prevail! But thank you...from all my heart...for your support. Another sleepless night...but to read your support eases me....so I deeply thank all of you

I'm not sure how the law works in the US, but just as the new owner is using breach of contract in his defence, I'm quite sure you could play the same hand.

You have a legal binding contract in place which allows you to have pets. By changing that contract, all parties concerned have to agree. I have just confirmed with my boss, that by law, the terms and conditions of the contracts cannot be changed with the sale of the building. If the new owner wishes to change that contracts, new contracts would have to be signed, which would then mean the original contract and cancellation fees of the lease would be voided.

I would definately get legal aid in this case, I'm sure he isn't allowed to do what he is doing. Your lease has to run is full term as is with no changes. If however when you renew your lease he wishes to change the clause relating to pets, he has the right to do so, but then you can just give notice and move without any penalties.

Hope you come right.

i hope everything works out for you. i will keep you in my thoughts
and prayers...

Thank you all SO MUCH. I should be working now but instead Pokey and I are cuddling and reading YT!! And cuddling with her in my office i am being reassured that I cant be without my precious girl. I work better just having her here!! When my mind gets boggled, one lick from Pokey reminds me to take a deep breath and trust my expertise!! I think she has made half my investments pay out just by relaxing me!! (I am a stockbroker!) So how can I leave my moneymaker/love of my life?!?! thank you!! I will continue to fight for my dreamhome, but I am realizing just by typing that my true heartfelt dream is my baby and no matter where I live, all I need to smile is my baby here cuddling with me! Thank you again. My fight isnt over but my decision is clear....Pokey and I need to stick together and our dream home is wherever we end up TOGETHER!!! Thank you for understanding and helping me think this out. I will update after the tenants and I decide to fight or not. But all of us agree we chose this place because of the pet lovers and we just need to convince them the sadness it would cause to take that away.

It sounds like the new owners are bullies. I would definately get a legal consulatation. I believe that pets that are already accounted for are covered under a "grandfather clause" at least for the duration of the present lease.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us updated regularly on what is going on. Good luck :hug:

I'm not sure how the law works in the US, but just as the new owner is using breach of contract in his defence, I'm quite sure you could play the same hand.

You have a legal binding contract in place which allows you to have pets. By changing that contract, all parties concerned have to agree. I have just confirmed with my boss, that by law, the terms and conditions of the contracts cannot be changed with the sale of the building. If the new owner wishes to change that contracts, new contracts would have to be signed, which would then mean the original contract and cancellation fees of the lease would be voided.

I would definately get legal aid in this case, I'm sure he isn't allowed to do what he is doing. Your lease has to run is full term as is with no changes. If however when you renew your lease he wishes to change the clause relating to pets, he has the right to do so, but then you can just give notice and move without any penalties.

Hope you come right.


YEAH!! What she said!! :) I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to the law, period. But contracts are generally meant for the protection of both parties, right? So one person can't just screw over the other person when the mood strikes him/her.

I'm sooo happy for both you and Pokey. No matter what happens, you'll be together. Don't make any hasty moves because, like everyone said, the new owners may not be able to do this, at least not while you still are under your lease. I work in a courtroom and I spoke to my judge. He advised me that the new owners shouldn't be able to change the terms of the lease until that lease expires. Now, once it your lease is up, that's a whole different ballgame. I think you should really look into Pokey being considered your "service" dog. That would be wonderful, then no one can refuse you and you'll have your baby with you always. I may even look into that -- LOL.

I agree... something not right about this. I bet they are trying to change it and get away with it. If everyone puts up a stink or hires a lawyer for the cause, bet you some hard nosed decisions could be reversed. :rolleyes:

I have sought my own attorney and the tenants in my complex have sought one too. The kicker is that I clearly signed my contract and there is a clause stating that if the place is sold that I agree to abide by the new owners rules. So there is our fight. But I agree with the persom that said maybe all of us can confront the new owners in peace and plead to them that we came here for the the love of our pets. This place is known as an excellent pet home! I know for a fact we would all be willing to pay more of a pet deposit just to keep our babies here. (not to forget I already paid a $1000 pet deposit!) But if they let me keep her and my dream home I am willing to pay more!