my landlord was cool with my second dog (landlord is also family), but she hops the fence and gets out sometimes. I forgot to leash her before I took my son to school, and she got out and back in, but when I returned he told me I have to get rid of her because she hops the fence, "or else." she does no damage to the fence or property, and I see the fence issue as my problem, not his, since there is no damage done to the property. even though they are family, we do have a rental agreement in place, and it doesn’t say I can’t have a fence-hopping pooch.
also, he seems to demand I rid of my pups if they aren’t his best pal. my first dog loves him, and he’s ok with him, but the second is shy, and doesn’t play ball or anything, so he doesn’t like her.
who is in the right? what rights do I have? I don’t want to get rid of my dog, she’s family. he’s nice to her and plays with her, but he is getting too involved in my private life (" you can’t take your 3 year old to school/daycare because you don’t have a full time real job." and " you can’t leave your outdoor light on at night." kind of silliness.)
is it time for us to move? what should I do? am I in the wrong as a tenant for wanting to keep my freedom loving pup?
it is in our rental agreement that we can have two dogs and up to two cats…
also, the kids in the neighborhood actually play with our dogs, and our neighborhood is one of those "friendly places" where your neighbors know it’s your pup.
I can understand the being out while I am gone, but I normally leash her and had plum forgot to this morning, and was only gone for about 20 minutes. she never strays beyond our neighbors yard, and returns on call.
as for the "family remark in one of the comments, if you had kids you’d also understand how difficult it can be to keep them in a yard! even three year olds get out sometimes…
I think it might be best to just move.
Tell him that you are uncomfortable with the way that being family has superseded the landlord/tenant relationship, and you think it might be best to move.
Unless he’s an idiot, he’ll shut up and ask you to stay there. Otherwise, he’ll be out looking for tenants, and no landlord really wants to have to do that, especially if they are renting to someone they know and trust. Trust me on this, Dr. Bridgewater and I have owned rentals before and we would never want to rent to someone off the street, before we’d rent to trusted family.
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I think it might be best to just move.
Tell him that you are uncomfortable with the way that being family has superseded the landlord/tenant relationship, and you think it might be best to move.
Unless he’s an idiot, he’ll shut up and ask you to stay there. Otherwise, he’ll be out looking for tenants, and no landlord really wants to have to do that, especially if they are renting to someone they know and trust. Trust me on this, Dr. Bridgewater and I have owned rentals before and we would never want to rent to someone off the street, before we’d rent to trusted family.
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It is up to your landlord whether or not you can have pets. No matter how sweet you might think your dog is, if she’s getting out, she poses a liability threat to you and possibly to your landlord. If she bites someone, you can both get sued. No one is saying that she will, just that a responsible landlord is going to do what he can to minimize liability on the potential that she could.
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Though I dont disagree with your keeping the animal, I must say the concern is safety here. You never know what your dog will do to other kids or other animals and what others may do to your dog. It is your responsibility for the dogs safety and others to keep your dog properly contained. No matter what breed, how shy or what size. You wouldnt allow your children to run around out side while you werent home, right? and you say the dog is family. Im sure as a member of your family he is just trying to look after you, but it does seem a bit much. If you are unhappy with the situation you should move.
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Your landlord does have a HUGE issue with your dog.
If your dog gets out and hurts someone one they can sue your landlord for neglect, allowing a dog known to be out of control on his property.
Either control your dog, get rid of the dog or buy your own place.
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