Anyone else paying "Dog Rent"?

[baldboy]

So I just found a house to rent for the next few months and was disappointed to find out that I have to pay an extra $50/month so my dogs can live there. That is in addition to an extra $100 deposit for the dogs.

The landlord is one of the nicest ones I have ever met, and the house is pristine... but it is hard to pay an extra $600/year when my dogs cause no damage whatsoever. I would prefer something like a $600 deposit that is refundable upon move-out inspection.

I have excellent references from landlords, employers, and acquaintances, but I can't get anyone here in town to budge on the whole pet charge thing.

I refuse to not live with my dogs.


One landlord I spoke to said "Sure it is fine if you want to have your dogs here, there is a $1600 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit though". Might as well have just said "no pets".

Would the "Fair Housing and Rental Act" cover this kind of treatment as discrimination? Silly question I know, but I wish I could figure out a better solution.

 

[decavo]

i feel your pain .. got the same problem . my dog lives with my parents and i visit on the weekends .. really sucks

 

[johnny4ever]

So I just found a house to rent for the next few months and was disappointed to find out that I have to pay an extra $50/month so my dogs can live there. That is in addition to an extra $100 deposit for the dogs.

The landlord is one of the nicest ones I have ever met, and the house is pristine... but it is hard to pay an extra $600/year when my dogs cause no damage whatsoever. I would prefer something like a $600 deposit that is refundable upon move-out inspection.

I have excellent references from landlords, employers, and acquaintances, but I can't get anyone here in town to budge on the whole pet charge thing.

I refuse to not live with my dogs.


One landlord I spoke to said "Sure it is fine if you want to have your dogs here, there is a $1600 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit though". Might as well have just said "no pets".

Would the "Fair Housing and Rental Act" cover this kind of treatment as discrimination? Silly question I know, but I wish I could figure out a better solution.

It sounds harsh but I'll bet most pet owners say "my dog wont cause any damage". There is no way to predict the future especially where animals are concerned. The extra rent is built in to cover the sometimes enormous damage costs for some pets. I'll bet yours will not cause damage but the landlord has no way of knowing that.

When my wife and I bought our first house I pulled out all the carpet to reveal awesome hardwoods except where FOUR GREAT DANES had either pissed, crapped, barfed or who knows what.

J

 

[brett76]

pet rent

wow
ive never heard of that horses***

 

[LongIsland60]

I used to manage and own a bunch of properties. Like anything else in the world - supply and demand dictates the terms. Most landlords I know will not rent to people with dogs. I used to do it for the same rent as without a dog, but after being on the losing side of the deals too often I decided I had better smarten up - I increased the rent slightly and increased the deposit. Bottom line is: tenants get to live with Spot and I am covered for any damage.

If people don't like it they can buy their own house and make their own rules.

Your dogs may not be a problem, but a landlord cannot know that. In the landlord business it is best to have strict policies and stick to them all the time.

All my tenenats appreciated that I was ok with pets.

 

[NorCalDoug]

sucks when others ruin it for the good folks...

it's just a sign of the times...

 

[photogod]

I have a great dog and she is neat and tidy but all it takes is one serious bout with the s***s to make new carpet a must. Been there. I can see the land lords side, looking out for the building. Maybe ask the LL if they would go with a 1000 refundable for the dog living there.

 

[lunyou]

I live in a cheap apartment that regulaar rent over the past year is 250 a month. I ahve a pet so I have to pay 35 bucks a month to keep her. With the regular security depsit that I have to pay with or without the dog.

I think in my case the 35 a month will pay for its self because my dog has turned the trash can over a few time and spilled a few sodas/iced teas/kool aides and now the carpet that needed to be changed before we moved in will need to be changed when we leave.

lunyou

 

[srplus]

I have dogs and cats... love them all... but when I go away for a trip and come home, when you open the front door, it is obvious that animals live there... If I was renting the landlord would have to deodorize even though not one of the pets has ever had an accident in the house... renting is like flushing your money down the toilet... find something to buy that if you are gonna move in a couple of years you can turn over for a profit.

 

[D'Animal]

Put yourself on the LL shoes. Not everybody is responsible with their pets. Not all pets are potty trained, etc.

 

[crushr]

I counsel all my landlord clients not to accept tenants with dogs. If the dog bites or injures anyone, the landlord willl be sued, and will be seen as the defendant with the deep pockets.

There is no right under any CA or fed law to own or live with a pet, unless it is a companion or assistance pet for a disabled person. It is perfectly legal to bar pets, or to charge whatever additional cost the landlord desires. No one is forcing you to move into that house and accept those terms.

 

[crushers]

maybe there is a reason the house is pristene...
no pets or pets that were well looked after.

very simple, pay the extra rent or don't live there.

what kind of bulls*** is this:
"Would the "Fair Housing and Rental Act" cover this kind of treatment as discrimination? "??
it is their house they can charge what they want, don't like it? don't live there!! or pay what they are asking and STFU...

if i owned the house and read a post like this i would tell you to take a hike...

 

[tcb]

I've always paid extra rent for my dogs, I thought it was common practice.

 

[Sporin]

maybe there is a reason the house is pristene...
no pets or pets that were well looked after.

very simple, pay the extra rent or don't live there.

what kind of bulls*** is this:
"Would the "Fair Housing and Rental Act" cover this kind of treatment as discrimination? "??
it is their house they can charge what they want, don't like it? don't live there!! or pay what they are asking and STFU...

if i owned the house and read a post like this i would tell you to take a hike...

Yup.

I learned the hard way as a young man that even the best dog can cause damage, I lost a sizable security deposit on my first apartment from the damage my lovable mutt did. I don't blame a landlord for charging more or saying "no pets" one little bit.

 

[Atticus]

No. The Fair Housing Act will not provide protection to you because your pets are being discriminated against.








Dude, seriously.

Edit: Unless they are handicap service dogs. Then I think there may be a provision for that.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

I pay $10 a month extra for my mutt. I also had to pay an additional $200 NON-refundable fee + a $200 refundable deposit. That's in addition to my normal $100 security deposit.

Ary

 

[baldboy]

what kind of bull**** is this:
"Would the "Fair Housing and Rental Act" cover this kind of treatment as discrimination? "??
it is their house they can charge what they want, don't like it? don't live there!! or pay what they are asking and STFU...

if i owned the house and read a post like this i would tell you to take a hike...

You don't have to be a dick.

I was being facetious.



Anyway...



I discussed this with the landlord at length and was able to reach a compromise that is better for both of us. I pay a higher deposit that is refundable at the end of the lease if everything is clean.