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| Fri, 07-23-2004 - 9:21am |
My husband and I currently live in an apartment building and our kitten is an indoor-only animal. A few months ago (before we adopted this animal), my husband and I were planning to move into a new apartment across town and we had made plans to move on July 23rd (which happens to be today). At the time we were filling out the housing application a few months ago, we were asked if we'd be bringing any pets to the apartment - since we had no pets at the time and since we had no intentions of owning one, we said that we were NOT pet owners and that we would NOT be bringing an animal to the new apartment.
Well, since then, we have adopted a kitten and we are now moving into the new apartment tonight. I am sure they will be asking us again if we are bringing a pet, but I feel the urge to lie and say "no". The reason is because the apartment charges exorbitant fees if you have an animal (a $250 nonrefundable pet deposit + an extra $40 per month in rent fees). Seriously, my cat doesn't warrant these outrageous fees - he always uses a cat box, he doesn't tear apart the carpeting, nor does he ruin any paint or fixtures. I refuse to pay these extra fees - it's like highway robbery!
I am tempted to lie and say that I don't have a pet. How will they know? Will they be entering my apartment on a monthly basis to check?
I really hate lying, especially over something so stupid. But I really do believe that these additional "fees" are uncalled for. What do you suggest I do? By lying, I could save $730/year - a very significant amount of money.

Hi Melkar2002. *Welcome* to Cats.
At least you CAN have a pet. donna
I personally, wouldn't risk it. I would try and find another apartment that allows pets without charging extra fees.
If you lie, and you get caught (by someone seeing your cat, or hearing it meow), not only will you be charged fess i'm sure, but you'll more than likely either have to face eviction (for breaking your rental agreement.. its a contract, and you started no for pets.), or, you'll have to face trying to find a home for your cat. Niether of which i'm sure you want to do.
Now, as much as I don't agree with the apartment charging you a fee for having a pet, you kinda have to understand their reasons. I've lived in blocks that don't allow pets anymore, or never have, because of unresponsible owners. Until people (not saying us, but the unresponsible ones) learn to care for their pets properly, such as not allowing them to wander the hallways, claw up the carpets, pee outside the litterbox, meow constantly, and scratch up doors and walls, im affraid we can't really get that p'd off with the apartment agencies. Its understandable they do not want to pay for things that can be prevented.
I'd strongly suggest you not lie. I've faced eviction myself from an apartment because i signed a lease agreement, AGREEING to their "no pets" policy. My nosey neighbour heard my cat meow, and reported me to the caretakers, who reported me to the agency. They told me to get rid of my cat in 14 days, or i have to move out in 30. I moved.
I don't know about the USA, but here's a secret. Most Apartment agencies do NOT allow pets of ANY kind, and they make you sign a lease saying so. However, if you search in the newspapers and look for ads online and things, you can find apartments that are privately owned, and with my experience, 9 times out of 10 they allow cats and small dogs. I'm in a small block now, privately owned, only 8 other tenants in the block. The guy across the hall had 2 large huskies, and I never once heard them bark until he moved out. Every other tenant has a cat or a bird or some other animal. They all seem to be responsible, and the block is very clean. So it helps when you have reliable pet owners.
But i agree, you should not have to pay those fees if you're responsible, but i do understand why they are implemented. Hope this helps. :)