When someone rents a house, whether it’s an apartment, townhouse or sub-par house, living occupants may not be human. According to the Humane Society, 39 percent of U.S. households own a minumum of one dog, and 33 percent own a minumum of one cat. Regulations concerning the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords differ from state to state.
Time Frame
Many landlords and property managers have explicit policies regarding pet ownership, whether in relation to allowing them at all or specifying burden, kind or prohibited areas. In case some of those rules are broken and the landlord initiates an eviction procedure for pet policy violations, pet owners do have rights. California’s Department of Consumer Affairs notes that when a landlord gives a tenant a eviction notice for correctable pet policy breach, the notice should provide the tenant the option of adjusting the condition. For example, if a landlord doesn’t allow pets, but the renter has one, the renter must be given the option of transferring the pet out of the house.
Considerations
The agreements reached by landlords and pet-owning tenants affect neighboring tenants. If a pet becomes a nuisance to other tenants by damaging property, causing odors or making loud noises to a constant basis, that affects the neighbor’s capacity to delight in her property. Such a situation could cause a warning or potential flooding proceeding for the pet-owning tenant.
Condominium Rentals
If a pet-owning tenant is renting from a condo owner, the renter and pet might be asked to appear before the building’s board for approval. Individual board rules define the rights and responsibilities of owners and tenants in such situations.
Security Deposits
A security deposit is a predetermined quantity of money the landlord requires upon the signing of an apartment rental. The deposit is in whole or in part returned to the tenant upon termination of the lease, depending on the specified conditions being fulfilled. Landlords accepting pets can require a pet deposit be made. The Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco advises tenants that all security deposit, including pet deposits, are refundable; according to the San Francisco Administrative Code, landlords need to pay tenants interest on deposits if they’re held for over a year. Tenants can anticipate just some of their pet security deposit back if their pets have caused damage to your rental unit beyond overall wear and tear.
Pro Insight
The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or SF/SPCA, offers tenants and landlords a record known as a Pet Agreement. The Pet Agreement, which can be signed by both the landlord and tenant, includes a range of details, like the pet’s kind, age and name, the veterinarian’s contact information and the quantity of the pet deposit. The Pet Agreement also sets clear and specific guidelines for the landlord and tenant to refer to throughout the course of the rental.