Tenants Have a Cat!!!
When I advertised my apartment on Craig’s list I was very clear that pets were not allow. I’ve discovered yesterday that one of my tenants has a cat. I was in my backyard and saw the cat on the window sill. I don’t want to seem anal, but a rule is a rule. They signed…
When I advertised my apartment on Craig’s list I was very clear that pets were not allow. I’ve discovered yesterday that one of my tenants has a cat. I was in my backyard and saw the cat on the window sill. I don’t want to seem anal, but a rule is a rule. They signed the rider and agreed to it, so they’re actually breeching a contract. How should I handle the situation without any animosity?
11:42 “being a landlord is being a business owner. As such, one shoud be prepared to pay for the advice of professionals like accountants and attorneys when needed.”
As the owner of a 4 unit brownstone I find your advice real helpful. However, I think the operative words are “when needed”. As many posters have noted: “A lease is a contract but a fight between a landlord and a tenant can be long drawn out and expensive. And over a cat? It’s a little bit of overkill.”
It would be absolutely ridiculous to consult a lawyer over this.
What happens when the other tenant stops paying their rent because you allowed a cat in a building they chose because it was pet-free? Then you’d have the long drawn out tenant battle that the pro-cat people here are talking about, but you’d be on the losing end. What if, come winter, when windows are closed and the cat’s thick winter coat comes in and dander is heavier because of dry air, your or your tenant’s alergies act up? You’ll have a harder time getting them out because you allowed it all summer.
You don’t have to be rude, but do be firm and clear. No pets. Give them a formal letter with a date by which they need to correct the situation after which you will start eviction procedures.
Agreed- tenants really didn’t play fair but on the other hand the cat doesn’t seem to be triggering your or your other tenant’s allergies. If you hadn’t seen the cat maybe you wouldn’t have known. So please take that into consideration too.
if the other tenant and landlord are so allergic to cats they can’t even abide one in the same building, they’ve got a tough row to hoe in a town with air quality like ours!
seriously tho i’d love to hear how this all plays out. i’m pro cat but yeah, it’s best to let the tenants know you own the joint.
Since the real issue here is whether or not that cat will provoke your allergies or the allergies of your other tenants, why not just wait to see if that actually happens?
If it does, drop the ultimatum on them. Getting heavy with a tenant just because the contract says you can is like a tenant dropping a dime on you with DOB because their heat is one degree less than it’s supposed to be. That’s how landlord-tenant wars get started.
Approach the situation tactfully. It is possible that the tenant is just cat sitting for a friend. You could say: “I noticed a cat in your window, is it yours? It sure is cute. But do you know why the lease states no pets? It is because your neighbor downstairs and I are allergic to cats.” (allow for response)
“God I hate that expression. It’s so used as if everyone happens to have a lawyer on retainer they can just call and chat with, free of charge.”
Brooklynnative, being a landlord is being a business owner. As such, one shoud be prepared to pay for the advice of professionals like accountants and attorneys when needed. It’s the cost of doing business.
OP, I have a cat, love cats, and think you should be able to ask them to leave regardless of your allergies. You said no cats. They agreed to no cats. They have to get rid of the cat and or go themselves.
A lease is a contract but a fight between a landlord and a tenant can be long drawn out and expensive. And over a cat? It’s a little bit of overkill.
You say they are nice, both you and the neighbors like them- try to work it out first. Landlords and tenants who live in the same building can have a lot of issues but it doesn’t have to come down to “my way or the highway” Yes it’s your house, and yes they broke the rider agreement, but it’s also the tenant’s home as well, which they pay for. If the cat isn’t bothering anyone or doing any damage it might be worthwhile to reconsider.
As a landlord, I allow cats but no dogs. Keeps the mice out.