Convincing a landlord that a second dog is a good idea

[lovemyalfie]

My boyfriend and I are moving into a house together. We are very excited! Alfie will have a little backyard to play in, which is what I really wanted for him. The lease says only one dog allowed, however we have been talking about adopting a second dog. Alfie would love it since he is a very social, loving dog. While Alfie loves to play with both of us, we feel he would be happier with another dog to keep him company too. We want to have another dog to spoil and love.

Have any of you had to convince a landlord to get a second dog? What kind of points did you bring to the table? We want to show the agent and landlord (who are both going to be living in the neighborhood) that Alfie is a great little dog before we say anything. Tips would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

[DvlshAngel985]

I do lease agreements with my dad, and one of the properties is a house he owns and we rent out. One thing I have to ask is have you singed a lease yet? I can give you better advice from there. I'm no expert but I do know how to work the system..

[lovemyalfie]

Thanks! We have signed the lease. When I initially spoke to management, she said that the landlords were not crazy about pets but since they were having trouble finding tenants they budged some. Hoping we can get them to budge a little bit more!

[TeresaM]

Since you've already signed the lease, theres little you can do to negotiate the additional dog. But perhaps if you give it a few months and then invite the owners/manager to come 'inspect' the house, see that ya'll are responsible tenants taking great care of the home and the yard, to meet Alfie and see how well behaved he is. Perhaps then they may be open to a second dog. Good luck.

[2dogsandachick]

I didn't tell my landlord when I got my second one. He only ever came by to mow the lawn and I doubted he would peep into my windows to check on the house while I was at work.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by TeresaM

Since you've already signed the lease, theres little you can do to negotiate the additional dog. But perhaps if you give it a few months and then invite the owners/manager to come 'inspect' the house, see that ya'll are responsible tenants taking great care of the home and the yard, to meet Alfie and see how well behaved he is. Perhaps then they may be open to a second dog. Good luck.

I was going to say the same thing. It gives you less wiggle room and since you mentioned your landlord lives in close proximity, I wouldn't risk just bringing in a second dog. It would be unfair to your second puppy to never be let out outside for fear of being seen by your landlord, and can be grounds for eviction. Being an Angelino myself, I know you do not want to risk that! Dog friendly places are hard to find. You can do as TeresaM said and show him how responsible you are and offer to add to your non-refundable pet deposit. (I'm assuming here) Training would be good too. There is no gaurantee that your landlord will budge, but if he does, later on don't try going for 3 that might make him mad.

Originally Posted by 2dogsandachick

I didn't tell my landlord when I got my second one. He only ever came by to mow the lawn and I doubted he would peep into my windows to check on the house while I was at work.

Seeing as how the op's landlord will be living in the neighborhood she would be risking eviction. Not such a good idea in her case.

[2dogsandachick]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

Seeing as how the op's landlord will be living in the neighborhood she would be risking eviction. Not such a good idea in her case.

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.

[yorkie_mama22]

My landlord knew I had one dog and then when we brought the second home we just did, he doesn't really like the thought of dogs but hasn't said we couldnt have one or two. lol I would say once you get to know your landlord it would be nice to run by him " hey we were thinking of adding another SMALL dog to our family " I mean to me two small dogs equal one big one?

[DvlshAngel985]

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.

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.

[emilyann]

I would live there for a while and show the landlord that you are a responsible pet owner and that if there are any accidents, they do get cleaned up. It will also show him that your dog doesn't tear the walls and doors up like a lot of dogs do. Then I'd ask!

[mjharpst]

Originally Posted by yorkie_mama22

I mean to me two small dogs equal one big one?

We have to pay extra for our dogs but dont mind because we love them- but I always think two of my dogs should be the cost of one big dog at our apartment.

[LilMissy]

If I were you, I'd wait a few months, then invite your landlord to the home to see that everything is going great. Then I'd throw the idea out there of a second dog. If he seems unsure, I would offer additional damage deposit aside from what you've probably already had to pay. It really doesn't hurt to ask. The worst that can happen is he says "no'.