Question for anyone who is a landlord

[LisaM]

We have rented our house for about 12 years and have always (with the knowledge of our landlord) had two small dogs in the house. Our older dog died in November and I just started looking for a new one. I just found one that looks right.

At the shelter, they would need a letter from our landlord and I am afraid to ask! We originally rented from her and her husband. He died about 8 years ago. Everything has been fine since, though about two years ago, her lawyer daughter took over handling the rent payment (but we still make out the checks to her mother), renting the properties, etc. She wrote us formally a couple of years ago requesting that every contact regarding the house goes through her (which I understand - she's helping out her mother, who had problems evicting some drug-using tenants in another house) and so she is handling things.

I am just worried that either they will say no or will use this as an excuse to raise the rent (a small change would be fine; a large one would not.) Should I be afraid of our landlord? We have had a fine relationship for 12 years and have only called them when our older appliances actually broke (in order, a hot water heater, a baseboard heater, our stove, and the refrigerator.) This is over the course of 12 years.

I'm wishing I'd lied to humane society, but alas, I didn't. What do I do? Should I be worried that they'll use this as an excuse to stop allowing us to have pets at all? I might add that they also own the house next to use and it has spent large numbers of months un-rented over the past three years.

[Cuban_Liberal]

1. Just be honest with her.

If you've been there for 12 years, it's obvious that you're a good tenant, and we landlords LOVE good tenants.

:)

[gtp1976]

10. absolutely

We like the place to be in good shape, for the rent to be on time and to hear from you as little as possible. :-) As long as those reuirements are met, I doubt you'll have any trouble, especially having rented the place for 12 years.

[merwin]

2. Look at your rental agreement and what it states about pets.

If it states that pets are not allowed without written consent, then they could pull that out on you. If not, then you could take implied consent.

Or do what I did and have someone else get the dog for you :-)

[Beaverhausen]

5. I agree with this. My lease says I have 2 cats

and if they ever try anything I will whip it out.

Also...I would assume since you have been there 12 years they like you enough to not want to lose you.

[Worst Username Ever]

3. I am jealous I wish I had you as a tennant.

12 years? What I would give for that! Personally I would be thankful to have you there and wouldn't make a big deal about the dog. The big question: Do you have the original lease, and what does it say? If you do NOT have the lease, I would speak with the lawyer and request a copy, then read it and see what it is. If it allows for pets without rent increases, then you are golden. The lease is everything.

[seriousstan]

4. A little trust will go a long way. After 12 years, why do you think they

will screw you?

[LisaM]

6. I don't know if we have a copy of the lease - it was just from a form pad

the original landlord was really casual. I know that our copy is around somewhere, but he lost his copy long ago. I guess I am just looking for affirmation that it shouldn't be a problem - I always get scared about things like this!

[DancingBear]

7. Here's the view from an ex-landlord

By all means - ASK!

The landlord may raise the rent, or ask for a pet deposit (we did), but in our experience that was predicated on what type of dog it was, and especially how old. Puppies can do a lot of damage, but it sounds to me like a) this new guy isn't a puppy and b) you have a great track record over the last 12 years.

My "mentor" in the landlord business used to have the prospective tenant bring the dog to her office - if he/she behaved well there most likely all would be well. We used to do the same thing, only we would talk to the pet owners previous landlord, the Humane Society (if the dog was being adopted from there), etc.

Oh, yea - we were suckers for dogs!!!!!! :)

Good luck!!!!!

[wellstone dem]

8. It may depend on what state you live in

Here in Minnesota, the lease would have expired long ago and you would be on a month to month tenancy. The landlord would have to give you a rental period n(one month) and one days notice of any proposed change or rent increase.

That said, LL's love long-term troublefree tenants. I once lived in a place for 7 years, and I don't think I saw a rent increase the last 3. I then decided to buy a home. Coincidentally, at the same time the LL happened to give me a notice of a rent increase. I sent my notice that I was leaving, I immediately got a call from the LL telling me that if I was leaving because of the rent increase, they would retract it.

If people move out of a place often, the LL will have additional costs of vacancy, advertising, painting-rug replacement-etc., so LLs save a lot of money (and headaches by having Long Term, trouble free clients.)

[LisaM]

9. Actually, now that you mention it - I think that's what we have now

month-to-month.

Once we leave, they will have THOUSANDS of dollars of repairs to deal with so they may wish to let well enough alone with us (especially with an empty house next door.)

I feel way better now. Thanks for all of the excellent feedback.

[msgadget]

11. I'd probably say no

if there was carpet but would give a long-time, responsible tenant a lot of consideration before coming to my decision.

[LisaM]

12. Well we already have one dog, which they know about

actually, as far they know, we still have two dogs. There is carpet, but it is twelve-years old, obviously (and it wasn't any great shakes to begin with) so whenever we do move out, they will need to replace it anyway, so that shouldn't matter. It's only in one room anyway and I have a rug steamer and clean it pretty often.

[msgadget]

13. You've been a good tenant

but my experience with less responsible ones would give me considerable pause. If your landlord's lawyer daughter hasn't been snooping around or giving you a hard time you've probably got a good chance for a positive response.

Good luck!

[LisaM]

14. Well I was feeling okay about it but now you've got me worried!

I wish we could deal directly with our landlady, but we have been asked not to, so haven't so far.

This is the thing: we HAVE been good tenants and we've always had dogs. It shouldn't be a problem, right? But there is always that chance and it's so stressful. I always fear the worst.

[msgadget]

23. I think it'll be fine!

Sorry if I worried you but I wanted you to have a landlord's perspective! :hug:

[Susang]

15. What's the neighborhood like?

Has it gentrified or become far more upscale in the 12 years you've lived there? If so, then you have cause to be concerned. The daughter probably knows the worth of the rental and bringing up the pet issue could possibly remind her of how low your rent is. She may feel that she can get more money for the place if they sell to developers (this is what's currently happening in my neighborhood).

If the neighborhood has basically stayed the same or deteriorated, I think you should definitely call her and ask. Make sure you check out what other rentals in the neighborhood are going for and if she attempts to raise your rent, remind her of her vacant property next door and let her know that you are aware of the current going rate for rentals in your area. I think she'll see that the hassle of finding and pleasing new tenants is much worse than signing a letter for you. :-)

[LisaM]

16. The neighborhood has stayed about the same

and she owns the vacant property next door (well, her mother does) so she is well aware of that anyway. Rents are down in our neighborhood from a couple of years ago. The city was going to do a bunch of upgrades (add a library, park, community center) but put the project on hold due to a lack of funds. It has definitely NOT become more gentrified. There are also a number of houses for rent in the immediate vicinity.

[Susang]

17. I think you're good to ask, then

I don't see how she could justify asking you for a rent increase, particularly if it's a renter's market in your area.

Our landlady has never raised our rent in the five years we've lived there. She had drug dealers living in the place before us and she's grateful that we don't give her any problems and pay the rent every month. She even gives us Christmas, Halloween and Easter presents. :-)

[Donailin]

18. Get someone you know to adopt the dog!

Ask a friend or a relative, no?

I'm a renter too, and I know that I hate asking my landlords for anything because I want to prevent my rent rate from increasing even though I raise it myself every other year. Seven years ago it was 1300 and now I pay them 1600. I will go in half with them when stuff breaks, but I will usually fix everything myself. It keeps everyone happy all around.

[LisaM]

19. Well the dog is far away and now I've already told them I was a renter

I'm in Seattle and the dog is in Manistique, Michigan.

[merwin]

20. Pay a homeless person to adopt the dog. Wait...

that wouldn't work (for obvious reasons).

Definately find someone who does own a home to legally adopt the dog for you.

[LisaM]

21. Ah, I think I'm stuck now because I already told the truth

and chances are the landlord won't care. I'm 50-50 now. I just wish I hadn't said that we rented!

[LisaM]

22. Actually - duh! - part of the reason we stay is that they DO allow dogs

Perhaps I should mention that when I send them the letter to sign. You know, preface it with, "as you know, we have been long-term tenants with you because the rent is reasonable, we enjoy you as landlords, and you have allowed us to have pets...." would that sound as if I was trying to suck up?

I also thought about offering a $150 fee (non-refundable) they could keep against any pet-related damange.

[jburton]

24. You should be OK

1. 12 years tenant - they know you are responsible

2. The cost of kicking you out and updating the place from 12 years of one tenant would be HUGE! Considering there are vacancies nearby, she would have to paint, re-carpet, replace window coverings, and probably re-do the kitchen and bathroom just to stay competitive.

3. The only things they've had to do for you (water heater, etc.) are just wear-and-tear items that only last so many years anyway.
It's not like you call them because you don't know how to change a light bulb.

4. You already have a pet.

You sound like a landlord's dream!