Pet Deposits.....

[leosporin]

What is the name of your state?
California
I have been living in my apartment for four years....
when I first moved in, the official policy was "no pets", however, the apt. manager said that a cat was ok and did not charge me a pet deposit......
Two years ago, I got another cat and then another 2 last year (total of 4).
The apt. manager has known about all four cats, and has never said a word about them, nor was any mention of them included in the last lease I signed in Aug. of 2004..... even though the pet policy was changed about 1 year ago, and pets are now allowed.
I just received my new lease, and though there is no pet policy written into the lease, the manager had attached a yellow sticky note which said my four cats were not allowed and that I must pay a deposit of $150.00 per cat and show proof that they are all fixed.
Is this in any way legal??
Thanks for any help on this......

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state?
California
I have been living in my apartment for four years....
when I first moved in, the official policy was "no pets", however, the apt. manager said that a cat was ok and did not charge me a pet deposit......
Two years ago, I got another cat and then another 2 last year (total of 4).
The apt. manager has known about all four cats, and has never said a word about them, nor was any mention of them included in the last lease I signed in Aug. of 2004..... even though the pet policy was changed about 1 year ago, and pets are now allowed.
I just received my new lease, and though there is no pet policy written into the lease, the manager had attached a yellow sticky note which said my four cats were not allowed and that I must pay a deposit of $150.00 per cat and show proof that they are all fixed.
Is this in any way legal??
Thanks for any help on this......

**A: of course it is. Let's look at your situation a bit in detail. The bottom line is that you have no fixed lease therefore you are considered a m/m tenant. If you do not sign the lease and agree to said provisions, L could give you written notice of m/m lease termination. Then where would your and your 4 cats go?

 

[leosporin]

So, I could sign the year lease which has no pet policy listed...but can I still be charged a pet deposit if it is not in the lease agreement??
Is the yellow sticky note attached considered the pet policy??
Thanks again...

 

[HomeGuru]

So, I could sign the year lease which has no pet policy listed...but can I still be charged a pet deposit if it is not in the lease agreement??

**A: that's not what I said but if you are to stay, be sure that the lease includes the 4 cats.
*********

Is the yellow sticky note attached considered the pet policy??

**A: I don't know since I did not write it nor have any clue as to the mindset of the apartment manager writer. Although, I could tell you that a pet policy written on a yellow Post-It note i snot good management policy.
*******
Thanks again...

**A: ok and be sure to pick up some catnip soon.