Telling your landlord and neighbors...forgot the poll!

SnowFoxx · 05-07-03, 12:32 PM

Sorry for the repost...tried to delete the other one, but I couldn't!
*****

I own nine snakes and a baby Sav monitor right now. I'm about to move into a house that allows pets (they said I can get two dogs) but...I haven't mentioned that I own snakes. Most of them are kept in racks, none of them or venomous, the largest is a baby BCI (3' long for now) and I never take them outside unless they are going to the vet, in which case they are in sacks or opaque containers. Five more snakes are coming this summer, once hatched. I take *very* good care of my beasts! Their cages don't smell, and escapes are next to impossible...I overkill the escape-proofing.

Should I tell my landlord and neighbors, or not? Should I only tell them if it comes up, or should I not say anything at all? What do all you renters do? This is a house, not an apartment. I could really use some advice on this one. My current landlord (and neighbors) have no idea I have snakes.

- Victoria :w

05-07-03, 12:49 PM

and the sherrif, and the police, and the hospital, and Game & Fish, and other hot handlers, I even keep treatment sheets clearly marked by each tank in case some idiot thief gets stupid because some of my animals are hots. I can't live with-in city limits, so I don't. In your situation it should be treated like large dog due to the boa and savannah being able to get so large. Everything else is basically like a fishtank or birdcage in size. Least thats the way I see it. Anyway, I would have to live paying someone that actively dislikes reptiles.

Tim and Julie B · 05-07-03, 12:50 PM

Hell no I am not even going to whisper about it! If they are not coming into contact with the wall or carpet then they are considered furniture ( cages ) as far as I'm conserned. There are too many paranoid people out there and not enough good housing! If you mention the word snake you are guarinteed to be put at the bottom of any renters list if not removed. If they are never going to be in your home or peeking in windows then they will never know. Remember people get away with much more illegal things in houses. Play it smart and only say what you have to.

05-07-03, 12:51 PM

oops last have=hate

rattekonigin · 05-07-03, 12:55 PM

If your lease allows pets and it doesn't prohibit reptiles specifically, and the reptiles you keep are in accordance with any local bylaws, then I don't see why you would have to inform your landlord of what you keep. If they ask, then you should be honest, but if they don't ask, and nowhere does it say you legally can't keep them there, then I wouldn't make a effort of telling them. Just make sure you're completely in the right so that, if the landlord does find out, you won't get evicted.

Pixie · 05-07-03, 01:09 PM

This is a very touchy subject and very good poll question!

As for legalities, it all boils down to what is exactly written on your lease. If there is a mention such as "no animals except 2 dogs" you're screwed should a problem arise. You say they allow pets, how clearly are things written in the contract?

I for example have one of the worst lease agreements on paper but I had no choice. The rental situation in Montreal is terrible with very little flats available and landlords being able to do pretty much anything they want. On my lease it is written that no animals are allowed except for 2 dogs should there be no problems or complaints (damage, noise, smell). I had to sign this clause if I wanted a roof over my head.

It really stinks because at any moment the landlord can pretty much make up an excuse and I would have a huge battle in court.

Does he know of all my other animals? Yes. He has been over a few times for repairs and other things of the likes and I didn't bother to hide anything. It was a chance that I took but obviously what my landlords care most about is responsibility. There is no smell, no mess and so far no escapes. He didn't even say anything about it.

Would I recommend telling your landlord about your animals?

NO!!! Do your thing and no one will know. As a responsible keeper, the chances of having a problem due only to the fact that you have reptiles as pets are slim to none.

Pixie

jay76 · 05-07-03, 03:13 PM

My landlord knows about my year old leo and my gerbil but not the snakes or 2 new leos... I'm hoping if they find out after, say, a year or so that I have snakes the "well I've had them for over a year now and nothing escaped" angle will get me through. Don't have a lease, though, and they said no dogs or male cats. That's lots of leeway right?

I fully agree with Pixie about not telling your land lord. What they don't know won't hurt you...

jncoclub · 05-08-03, 10:15 AM

My landlord asked if we had any pets before we signed and we just said "your typcial aquarium pet". To me, that's a snake. There are supposed to be no free-roaming pets on property or loud pets. We see cats everywhere and that is against the lease. The handyman doesn't care. So as long as we keep our parties to a minimal decimal, I think we're in the clear. I'd just call them anonymously and ask if reptiles are allowed. simple as that. It's your own good judgement and responsibility from there.

SnowFoxx · 05-09-03, 02:59 AM

Well, it's not so much that reptiles might nopt be allowed, but someone who doesn't understand how little space they take up and that they make no noise/smell and that they are not around-the-house pets like dogs and cats might be intimidated by the number of them. To non-herpers, 14 snakes seems like a whole lot of snakes!

- Victoria :w

Clownfishie · 05-09-03, 07:20 PM

My landlord knows about my geckos... but I haven't told him about the snakes. I would tell him if he asked I think, but I don't feel the need to go out of my way to inform him. I think it's kind of a judgement call in each individual case... personally, I would feel out the landlord a bit to see how he feels about reptiles (snakes in particular), and go from there...

reptilesalonica · 05-09-03, 07:30 PM

I am so happy that i am living in Greece

. Here it's not England with laws to allow you go to the bathroom lol. (Nothing wrong with english bros-i just hate laws). I live in an appartment, well big one because...i have 45 herps, 30 mice, 10 hamsters, 10 rats, about 5000 crickets, about 2000 mealworms and i have ordered 1000 more silkworms

NO ONE knows anything.
~Greg~

NewLineReptile · 05-09-03, 07:48 PM

well i use to tell my landloards that i had reptiles and that never went well. So i own my house now and dont care who knows but most of the people that live by me know i have reptiles they always want to bring there kids down to see all of them.

But one should always tell their landloards that they have reptiles instead lieing that way they have no reason to kick your a$$ out

reptilesalonica · 05-09-03, 07:54 PM

No, even they learn about it they wouldn't care. So i think my a$$ is safe.

Lisa · 05-20-03, 04:24 PM

Here in Ontario they can't give you flack about domestic pets. I'm not sure about exotics though. Our lease says no big dogs, but it's not enforcible.

Darlene · 05-21-03, 08:49 AM

I always tell my landlord & any neighbors that I get to know. My animals are not a secret though I don't go out of my way to speak of them. I'm house-hunting again & my first question is if pets are allowed. I always get the "well what do you have......." & simply tell them I'm an animal health tech & volunteer with the shelters so what I have varies & I need free rein for work. Then I offer the numbers of the vets I work along with & that is when I get the "no...that's ok". If you tell them you breed or research they are often open to it. Also if you offer an extra deposit or a showing of the animals. My animals travel to schools to educate kids which is a big selling point with people. Just some thoughts anyway. Dar.

BTW....I have 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 rabbits, 2 chinchillas, 1 hamster, 4 aquariums, 2 RES & 3 corns at present (plus a horse but she doesn't live in the house !!).