Wonderful, just wonderful

[gwynhefar]

I now have 18 months to buy a house.

My new apartment managers have decided to start bringing those of us who came in under the old pet policy -- 'whatever you want so long as you pay your deposit and no one complains about the noise or the smell' -- into compliance with the new pet policy -- 2 per apartment, no exceptions. And since I am listed as having three on my original lease, I was told to either move within 18months or get rid of a cat. And yes, they will be coming to check. Now, much as I have cats who like to hide, I don't think I can get away with pretending to only have two to someone who is *looking* for evidence of more.

And my chances of finding a rental anywhere that will take the number of animals I have is about nil. Dammit. I'm not ready for this, financially. Once my car payment is up, yeah then I could probably do it. But that won't be for another three years. And it doesn't matter that I have 18 months to find a place, I will be worrying about it every minute between now and the time I move into wherever I end up going.

Comments

[rowancat.livejournal.com]

Ouch! just Ouch (for now) :(
I've been forced in the past to choose between de-felining
and moving and that was just with 1 or 2 cats. Occasionally double that.

I think a lot of apartment owner/management types are taking the view that
since it seems like everyone has cats now, we'll just limit the numbers
per unit to keep the number of cats down. Of course *they* don't have to
live by those restrictions. They live in very large expensive houses.

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

My new apartment managers have decided to start bringing those of us who came in under the old pet policy -- 'whatever you want so long as you pay your deposit and no one complains about the noise or the smell' -- into compliance with the new pet policy -- 2 per apartment, no exceptions.

Is that legal?

Seriously. Find out if that's legal. If the lease you signed doesn't have that restriction, they may not be legally able to enforce it.

[gwynraven.livejournal.com]

It doesn't now. That's why they said 18 months. My current lease is up in 12 months, and the one after that will have the pet clause in it, although they said they'll give me 6 months after I sign that lease to bring myself into compliance with it. Not that I will be signing it, so technically I really only have 12 months to find a new place.

[silme.livejournal.com]

Damn. I wonder about maybe some sort of houseshare -- or a rental more outside of town, perhaps?

I really think it's ridiculous how landlords deal with animals. When I was a landlady, albeit briefly, for two years, the friend who was my rental agent advised me not to allow my tenants to have cats. I put my foot down. I had cats in that condo; it would be hypocritical for me not to allow them. She shrugged her shoulders, talking about damage, etc.

My tenants' cats did not hurt the place at all. I think the only concern I would have had with them having five was that the place was pretty small and I would think they just needed more space.

*sigh*

[gwynraven.livejournal.com]

I know. There are people in the complex who have two large dogs who I'm quite sure do more damage to their apartments than my 7 cats do to mine. Which is nil, really. I mean, they scratch up my sofa, but I've not seen them do anything damaging to the apartment itself.

[cissa.livejournal.com]

Oh, that sucks. :( Good luck in finding a new place, be it house or cat-friendly rental (if this new policy is legal).

[gwynraven.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Sadly, it is legal. Once my current lease is up in 12 months, they can change whatever policies they want on the new lease.

[queenbookwench.livejournal.com]

That is dreadful--it isn't as though you needed more stress in your life at the moment. I agree with shadesong that you ought to take steps to try to find out if what they're doing is actually legal.

[gwynraven.livejournal.com]

It is. Once the term of the original lease is up, they have the right to change whatever policies they want, and all I ever had before was a verbal assurance that they wouldn't do so.

[opakele.livejournal.com]

Could you buy a house and have a roomate? I know that is very hard. It would have to be someone you could live with.

You would have more space...more territory.

I don't think you would regret the purchase.

Calling and checking Landlord Tenant Rules isn't a bad suggestion, either.

[gwynraven.livejournal.com]

Technically I could, but I don't want to get in the situation of buying a house I can't afford on my own and then not being able to find a roommate, or having them leave, or whatever. And anything I can afford on my own will certainly not be big enough for me *and* a roommate :)

[sage-and-sea.livejournal.com]

If you decide to buy, I know a few good realtors in LA. That does suck.

[gwynraven.livejournal.com]

I'd be happy for the suggestions.

[kk1raven.livejournal.com]

Good luck finding a place to move to. My animals are one of the reasons I really hate the idea of moving. (Close to 4000 books is another reason. At least no one trys to forbid them though.)