What are our rights if there isn’t anything in my lease about a pet policy?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What are our rights if there isn’t anything in my lease about a pet policy?
My roommate has a dog. We emailed asking if we could get another pet. They said yes and forwarded an email between the landlord company and our landlord okaying it. We got a cat and have had it for a few days. He found out it is a cat and now is saying we can’t have a cat. Is that legal to do?
Asked on June 30, 2015 under Real Estate Law, Ohio
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
No, it's not legal. A lease is a contract; the parties have the obligations in it--and only the obligations in it. If there is no "no pets" policy (or a policy requiring landlord approval of the pet), then you can have pets--the landlord cannot restrict you in any ways not supported by the lease. Of course, if the cat does damage--urinates on a wood floor, staining it; scratches wallpaper; etc.--you'll have to pay for it, because you are liable, or financially responsible, for damage done by your pet(s).
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.