Give up my dog?

We moved to this apartment complex 4 1/2 years ago and we rented a unit with a back yard because we had a dog. The rental agreement we signed then allowed us to have our dog. This last February, the property sold and the new owners want all pets removed except for "seeing eye dogs". They wanted us to sign a new contract agreeing to this, we did not. I told them that our dog was not necessarily a pet. I asserted that our dog serves the function of security and protection in this high crime neighborhood, (Our car has been broken into and ransacked
twice.)and should be excepted just as a seeing eye dog is excepted because it serves the function of security and assistance to the blind. The fight is about to start. Where do we stand, what are my rights?

[This message has been edited by greengorgon (edited May 03, 2000).]

Read your lease. Does it say that its terms apply to the owner's 'heirs, successors, and assigns'? If so, the terms of your former lease bind the new owners until it expires; then you have to sign a new lease with the new owners. If it doesn't, they may still have to allow the dog until the end of the lease, since they knew dogs were present and had ample opportunity to inspect the leases before purchasing. Read IAAL's treatise on attornment in Sunny's post "Landlord defaulted on mortgage - foreclosure pending."

They do not have to 'grandfather in' your dog. They don't have to allow any dogs at all. You will have to move or find a new home for your dog once the lease expires.

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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.


[This message has been edited by Tracey (edited May 04, 2000).]