Very sad. Unsure what to do.

[Unsung-melody]

So even though my landlord told me I could have "fish and other tank inhabiting pets," when he found out those tank inhabitors were snakes, he flipped out. He says he doesn't want "those nasty creatures" in his house. And because the lease says I can have one dog and one cat, and the the tank inhabiting pets was was just word of mouth, there's apparently nothing I can do about it. I don't know anyone who would take them for me and this is all on top of the fact that Cleo has decided to stop eating. I'm really sad, you guys, and I don't know what to do. :(

[Kavyrie]

I'm so sorry hun, I wish there was something I could do to help! You can ship her over to me if you can't find someone to take her!

[millertime89]

is moving out an option?

[EmbraceCalamity]

Look for another place? Or maybe try to get him to hold your snake to make him realise they're not nasty?

~Maggot

[Jay]

At least here it's actually illegal for a land lord to evict you based on what pets you keep. As long as they're legal in your area of course.

[Unsung-melody]

I can't move out. My lease is for a year. I'm moving on from the sad stage to angry. She isn't hurting anything!! She can't tear things up or harm the house! Ugh!!! >.<

[millertime89]

they can't force you to stay, what's the penalty for breaking a lease?

[alessia55]

I had a similar case with my first apartment in PA. I looked over my lease, nothing about no snakes, and told her she couldn't evict me. It worked. Maybe tell her that the lease doesn't say you're not allowed to keep a snake so she can't do much about it? nicely, of course. And of course you should add in the harmless nature of your snake.

[infernalis]

i had a similar case with my first apartment in pa. I looked over my lease, nothing about no snakes, and told her she couldn't evict me. It worked. Maybe tell her that the lease doesn't say you're not allowed to keep a snake so she can't do much about it? Nicely, of course. And of course you should add in the harmless nature of your snake.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^this^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[KORBIN5895]

they can't force you to stay, what's the penalty for breaking a lease?

If he evicts her because of the snake there should be no penalty.

[Unsung-melody]

Well I talked to him some more and told him that if my neighbors (whose house he's also the landlord of) have a turtle that he doesn't mind, then I should be able to keep my snake. He said he would sleep on it. So at least that's something.

[Wildside]

Well I talked to him some more and told him that if my neighbors (whose house he's also the landlord of) have a turtle that he doesn't mind, then I should be able to keep my snake. He said he would sleep on it. So at least that's something.


Hope your neighbors don't come after you for having to get rid of their turtle.

[jhinton6932]

I had a similar case with my first apartment in PA. I looked over my lease, nothing about no snakes, and told her she couldn't evict me. It worked. Maybe tell her that the lease doesn't say you're not allowed to keep a snake so she can't do much about it? nicely, of course. And of course you should add in the harmless nature of your snake.
again^^^^^this works^^^

used it when i had my first apt 4 years ago. they wouldnt renew my lease when it was up but i didnt wanna stay anyway. if he argues, court! trust me, there are TONS of loopholes. you just need to putforth the effort. thats when i moved into the 2nd apt a year later, i said i have some lizards is that ok? i said oh yea "bearded dragons". she said as long as they arent walking aorund the house. mind you, i knew the lease said deposit not required for animals in cages. hence, monitor + cage=loophole. they found out i had these large lizards when a neighboor ratted me out but i had already highlighted everything and explained to them why i CAN keep them and STAY on my lease. they didnt renew either. so then i just bought dang house!

[Unsung-melody]

Sooohe texted me this morning saying I can keep my snake as long as I keep her in the back bedroom instead of the living room!! And just so we are clear, I was very polite to him and explained that she can't harm the house or anything else, and (although slightly untrue) that I do not take her out except to clean the cage... Lol. But I can keep her!!!:) now if I could solve the problem of her not eating, I would be good to go. I'm having a little trouble keeping temperatures up in the enclosure since its gotten cooler, but her refusal to eat has lasted longer than that. I have a RHP on the top of my wooden Viv so I'm not sure how to supplement more heat. Any advice?

[kreaturekeeper]

I am finding the same problem in my wood viv with a radiant heat panel. I will be putting a UTH in today to give that extra heat that is needed. Although I am really surprised I am having to do this.
Glad to hear your snake can stay!

[millertime89]

Great news!

[Gungirl]

If you are using the correct size RHP and you can't maintain the right temps I would suggest restricting air flow. Block off a few vents until you can maintain the right temp. I have 5 wooden vivs with RHP's and I keep my house cool in the winter ( average 62-64f) I have never needed extra heating source.

[Unsung-melody]

It's a 3'x1'x1.5' Viv. I'm using a 40 watt rhp and I only have 2 vents.

[Unsung-melody]

I am finding the same problem in my wood viv with a radiant heat panel. I will be putting a UTH in today to give that extra heat that is needed. Although I am really surprised I am having to do this.
Glad to hear your snake can stay!

How do you plan to seal the heat mat so it doesn't fry if the snake urinates on it or spills the water? I could do the same if I can figure out how to make sure it is 100% safe.

[kreaturekeeper]

How do you plan to seal the heat mat so it doesn't fry if the snake urinates on it or spills the water? I could do the same if I can figure out how to make sure it is 100% safe.

I have read that you put it inside the tank and make a little wood frame around it. Then put plexi glass on top and seal it. This will keep your animal from directly touching it as well as protect the mat from spills.
If I am wrong on this please someone chime in.

[Becky Goings]

A uth (under tank heater) goes on the bottom of the enclosure, moisture shouldn't be able to get to it there.

[iBaman]

A uth (under tank heater) goes on the bottom of the enclosure, moisture shouldn't be able to get to it there.

...if it's a wood enclosure, it has to go inside to work. thus why they're worried about moisture.