Landlord trickery?

[abbybox]

I've been having to deal with my landlord's rental agency all day. When we moved in we were very specific about needing a house that would have NO restrictions on pets and even told them we would be getting a boxer for our family. We were told on numerous occasions that there were no restrictions on our house and only a 200 dollar pet deposit. Well, I went yesterday to pay the deposit on Abby, our 9 week old boxer, and they brought out this little piece of paper saying only outside dogs less than 30 lbs!!!! It was separate from our lease and they "told me" it was legally binding. They admitted that a rental agent had mistakenly told us that there were no restrictions, but that legally they could not allow us to keep Abby at the house. ARGHHHH!!! I'm so mad I could cry right now. Anybody know anything about whether spoken agreements are legally binding? If they make us give her up, we'll just have my brother take care of Abby while we buy/build a house. Didn't want to do that yet, as we'll be moving in three years, but I feel like I'm having one of my kids taken away. Thanks for reading my rant. . .

 

[Jan]

You would need to check with the laws in your state. I think if would be considered a verbal contract and it should be legally binding, but I could be wrong. It's too bad that you didn't get it in writing. Did you get that little piece of paper with your lease?

 

[Rbucher]

I feel so bad for you. I feel for you I could not imagine having to give our little puppy for anything. We had a similar experience. When we moved in we told our lanlord that we were planing on getting a boxer and if that would be ok. He said that it would be fine. Well when we got our puppy home the association told us that dogs were only ok if they were under 20 lbs. Luckily our association is run pretty weakly and as soon as we pointed all the other dogs that lived in the complex that were closer to a 100 lbs. that stopped making such a fuss. Needless to say we are planning on moving out when the lease is up. Good luck with this

 

[kscoleman]

Honestly?

Does the rental agency repeatedly go over and check your house? I, personally, would pay the $200 deposit and keep your baby. All they could do at that point is not refund your deposit or tell you that you have to get rid of her or move out. And as long as you pay your rent on time and your baby isn't outside barking all the time you probably won't have any problems....but that's just me and I tend to be a rule breaker

Another thing I would do is go over the lease with a fine tooth comb AND that separate paper. See if that paper says anything about an addendum to the lease and if the lease has any special parts about addendums. If that piece of paper does not specifically say that it is somehow tied to your lease then you'll be okay. However, since you are dealing with a rental agency and not just a landlord, their paperwork is probably really cut and dry. One thing you can do is see if the lease says anything about pets and read it really really carefully. If the lease doesn't mention them, then I wouldn't worry about even paying the deposit. Plead ignorance.

Good luck with whatever you decide!!!

 

[Lyncca]

I'm sorry you are going through all this. I'm so thankful we have a house now. I remember dealing with pet deposits, weight limits, etc. Good luck with what may come, whether its there or in a new house

 

[kmorales]

Does the rental agency repeatedly go over and check your house? I, personally, would pay the $200 deposit and keep your baby. All they could do at that point is not refund your deposit or tell you that you have to get rid of her or move out. And as long as you pay your rent on time and your baby isn't outside barking all the time you probably won't have any problems....but that's just me and I tend to be a rule breaker

Another thing I would do is go over the lease with a fine tooth comb AND that separate paper. See if that paper says anything about an addendum to the lease and if the lease has any special parts about addendums. If that piece of paper does not specifically say that it is somehow tied to your lease then you'll be okay. However, since you are dealing with a rental agency and not just a landlord, their paperwork is probably really cut and dry. One thing you can do is see if the lease says anything about pets and read it really really carefully. If the lease doesn't mention them, then I wouldn't worry about even paying the deposit. Plead ignorance.

Good luck with whatever you decide!!!

Totally agree!! Goodluck!

 

[Amee]

Does the rental agency repeatedly go over and check your house? I, personally, would pay the $200 deposit and keep your baby. All they could do at that point is not refund your deposit or tell you that you have to get rid of her or move out. And as long as you pay your rent on time and your baby isn't outside barking all the time you probably won't have any problems....but that's just me and I tend to be a rule breaker

Another thing I would do is go over the lease with a fine tooth comb AND that separate paper. See if that paper says anything about an addendum to the lease and if the lease has any special parts about addendums. If that piece of paper does not specifically say that it is somehow tied to your lease then you'll be okay. However, since you are dealing with a rental agency and not just a landlord, their paperwork is probably really cut and dry. One thing you can do is see if the lease says anything about pets and read it really really carefully. If the lease doesn't mention them, then I wouldn't worry about even paying the deposit. Plead ignorance.

Good luck with whatever you decide!!!

Yup I agree

 

[abbybox]

Resolution!!!

I decided to quit using the rental agency as the go between and contacted the home owner directly. He said his only concern was that the dog would bite somebody and he would be sued, so he could not allow big dogs on the property. I was so happy to hear this because my renter's insurance covers any and all liability my dog incures and I had several references about the breed temperament of boxers. I also had letters from both of our neighbors saying that they loved our new dog and would feel very comfortable with Abby being on the property. After all that he begrudgingly caved and signed the pet agreement!! Yeah!!! We're all celebrating right now. Now if we could just get Abby to stop peeing on his carpet. . .

 

[luckylucy]

I'm a rule breaker too. We were supposed to pay an additional pet deposit when we got Dexter but...well...they don't know about him. We DID pay for Lucy though, and luckily there wasn't an issue. I agree, it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission! (I'm a rebel)

 

[bucksteemom2]

I agree with everyone else!! Keep her and pay the deposit. However, I do think you have a good case. The fact that they admit to giving you false information and you had a verbal agreement are in your favor. Was there any witnesses to your verbal agreement? You could also use that in your defense. Good luck!!!!!