Landlord Won't Allow Pets Despite Lease Language
My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Georgia
I rent my house through an agency so. I have absolutely no contact with the owner of this house. Contact is only made via my rental agent. On my lease it states that I can have a cat or dog with a pet deposit of 200 dollars. If this was not included in my lease I would no have rented this property. We have lived here for 4 months and found a dog we would like to adopt. I called my rental agency and apparently there was an issue with one of the other homes owned by this person that were recently damaged due to pets and he is no longer allowing pets in his homes. I haven't adopted the dog but, I just don't understand how it is legal for him to say I can not have a pet when my lease clearly states that I can. Does any one have any information that might help out? Thank you
Re: Landlord Won't Allow Pets Despite Lease Language
Pay your deposit in cash or certified funds in person with a friend as a witness. then move your dog in. If the RE Agent wishes to pursue an eviction, let him. You are not in default.
Re: Landlord Won't Allow Pets Despite Lease Language
Have you received a written notice of the change in terms with the proper amount of advance before the change actually takes/took effect (check ANY notices you've received carefully to make sure this change isn't buried in one somewhere)? If so, then the landlord is in the green. If not, then you may have a case - though if you'd like to continue living in the home you might not want to push the issue or the landlord may elect not to renew the lease.
However, you also need to carefully check the language of the pet clause - most pet clauses include language to the effect of "with landlord's approval." Even though it says you can have one if you pay an extra $200 deposit, if the landlord doesn't approve then you have no recourse (assuming your lease contains that sort of language).
Check it very carefully before pursuing things further; if it does not contain that language then you might show the landlord/agent your copy of the lease that both of you signed, remind them that it says you can have pets, have the deposit ready and show it to them to let them see how proactive and above-board you are, and tell them that you have received no notices of changes to the terms of the rental agreement. If they go for it, great! If not, then you'll need to think long and hard about how far you want to push the issue, and you may wish to consult an attorney re: putting the deposit in an escrow account if the landlord refuses to take it, etc.
Re: Landlord Won't Allow Pets Despite Lease Language
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Quoting
CPO_MK
Check it very carefully before pursuing things further; if it does not contain that language then you might show the landlord/agent your copy of the lease that both of you signed, remind them that it says you can have pets, have the deposit ready and show it to them to let them see how proactive and above-board you are, and tell them that you have received no notices of changes to the terms of the rental agreement. If they go for it, great! If not, then you'll need to think long and hard about how far you want to push the issue, and you may wish to consult an attorney re: putting the deposit in an escrow account if the landlord refuses to take it, etc.
Huh? :confused:
He either can or cannot have a pet. All fine and good to "talk it out" but allowing the LL to dictate terms outside the lease is dog bollocks.