Aquarium non-compliance???

I've had an aquarium in my apartment since before the current owner/landlord took possession of the property. My lease says nothing about needing insurance for the tank. The new leases that are being signed include a sentence about aquarium insurance, but my lease was previous to that and has no such sentence. Am I in non-compliance? Can the owner require me to purchase insurance for the remaining time on my lease? I'm happy to pay for it if I decide to renew, but I only have 2 months left on my current lease and am thinking it's illegal to charge me a full year's insurance for two months on something that isn't even in my current lease. Wouldn't I have had to sign something for changes to the lease to be binding?

[HomeGuru]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lirath:
I've had an aquarium in my apartment since before the current owner/landlord took possession of the property. My lease says nothing about needing insurance for the tank. The new leases that are being signed include a sentence about aquarium insurance, but my lease was previous to that and has no such sentence. Am I in non-compliance? Can the owner require me to purchase insurance for the remaining time on my lease? I'm happy to pay for it if I decide to renew, but I only have 2 months left on my current lease and am thinking it's illegal to charge me a full year's insurance for two months on something that isn't even in my current lease. Wouldn't I have had to sign something for changes to the lease to be binding?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If your lease does not require this insurance then you are not obligated to have it. Tell L to go fish. On the other hand, if you are planning to renew your lease, you may want to play ball.

The fact that aquarium insurance is required by other leases but is not by yours means you have no obligation whatsoever to pay. Write L (certified, return receipt) & tell him your lease does not require insurance & you have decided not to obtain it. Be sure L doesn't charge you for "insurance" or an "aquarium fee" when refunding your deposit. Also be sure to take pictures of the aquarium area so you can show there was no damage. Assume you'll be going to court on this & will need to prove there's no damage. (Take pictures of the rest of the house too.)

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This is not legal advice and you are not my client. Double check everything with your own attorney and your state's laws. ppls@qwest.net - please include some facts so I know who you are!