Right to Own a Pet

Hi,

I have a question regarding the building I am currently living in.

When I moved here five years ago, I understood that there were no pets allowed (as stated on the sign outside the building).

Then, the landlord (whose family owns the building) decided that he was going to get a dog (a Labrador retriever), thereby erasing the "law" he had set forth for the residence.

Many people living here therefore thought this meant they too could get a dog if they wished, since if the landlord was going to break his own rule then it should no longer be a restriction.

I understand the whole idea that technically the landlord can do what he wants especially if his family members are the building owners, meaning that he can own a dog and also tell everyone else "no" who inquires about doing the same thing.

Lo and behold, I am one of those who asked, even volunteering to increase my security deposit and total monthly rent amount to cover the cost of bringing in a small dog.

Of course he said no without giving a reason why.

Here are the two caveats:

1) I have known the landlord since my elementary school days since he and my sister grew up together and we all went to the same school - and, his dad and my dad sometimes work together so there is more to this than just a simple landlord/tenant relationship;

2) I suffer from panic attacks and nausea as a result, and have been instructed by my doctor to get outside and exercise more in order to help combat the condition. So getting a dog is not so much about a "pleasure pet" as much as it is about helping me solve a medical issue. Despite telling my "friend" and landlord all this and pouring my heart out to him, he still said "no."

Now, I have done some research and found that if a landlord makes a rule but then breaks it himself, he must accept that other people are going to break it as well and it is pretty much against the law for that landlord to deny the residents the same rights as he has given to himself (such as owning a pet).

Here is my question: what are my rights regarding this issue? Am I allowed to bring a dog into my home since the landlord has already broken his own rule?

Also, is there any truth to the above research stating that if he breaks his own rule, he has to open it up for others in the building to do the same?

I thank anyone in advance who is able to answer this question!

(This assumes you're in the US).

1. Irrelevant.

2. Is the animal considered a service animal according to your state's guidelines?

Your belief that if the landlord breaks a rule it makes it void for everyone else is false. He can have 14 rottweilers, 7 cats and 4 parrots and still bar every other resident from having any pet whatsoever (barring a service animal).

Concur with Doggie.

Unless and until the landlord gives you written permission - as a lease addendum or otherwise - you may not own a pet. The only reason he needs to give is "because I said so". As Doggie notes, it's a bit different if you have a service animal, but it doesn't seem that you have one, nor does it seem that you qualify for one. A service animal is specially trained and registered as such, and you need to be certified as legally disabled and have a doctor's prescription to get one.

There are also 'emotional support animals'; the law for them is a bit different.

But "I want a dog so that I have an incentive to take walks" doesn't cut it - you can take walks without a dog.