I get why you did it. Giving an adorably adoptable pet a fur-ever home is such a wonderful feeling. You gain a confidant, a rad new member of the family – it just felt right adding a pet into your life. Except you didn’t add him or her to your apartment lease agreement – or you brought the pet home to a no-pets-allowed apartment community.
Sneaking a pet into an apartment may sound like a risk-free move. Maybe you live in the back of the complex where you can take the dog out without worry of getting caught? Or maybe you have a cat or bunny that doesn’t make a peep?
As tempting as it might be – and as easy as it seems – you could be in serious violation of your lease and reprimanded if you get caught. Remember, some people prefer to live in a no-pets community and could tip-off the landlord. What if you have an emergency maintenance issue come about – what will you do with your pet when the maintenance crew gets to your home?
There’s a lot that can happen if your landlord catches you with an unauthorized pet inside the apartment. If you are caught, you may be dealing with the following:
Hefty Fines.
A renter with a secret pet inside the apartment could be hit with hefty fines. The fines are typically per pet, which can add up tremendously if you've turned your home into a cat sanctuary. This is probably the best-case scenario. Once the fine has been paid in full, your landlord will require you to register the pet on your lease, assuming it’s a pet-friendly community.
Moving Apartments.
If the lease you signed at the beginning of your tenancy has a strict no-pet clause, you might need to move to a place that does allow them. This also means you’re likely going to break your current lease, which typically has an associated fee with it. An alternative to breaking the lease is talking to your landlord about subletting.
Re-Homing the Pet.
And if moving just isn’t an option at this time, you could find your pet a new home. It will be a sad time for sure, but this site helps you re-home a pet safely into a loving home with a fur-ever family.
Possible Eviction.
An eviction is a tough pill to swallow, and having an eviction on your record can hurt your chances of qualifying for a new apartment in the future. If having a pet is prohibited, as stated in the lease agreement, your landlord does have the right to evict – so think very carefully.
Sneaking a pet into the apartment may sound like a good idea, but following the terms of the agreement and getting a pet the right way will be more beneficial for you and your pet. If you are thinking about adopting another one, check your lease for a pet clause as well as breed or weight restrictions. Once you find a couple of pets that interest you, show them to the landlord and get it in writing that he or she has agreed to your choices.
