rental lease termination

[hotguy11]

I live in Bergen County, New Jersey in a apartment complex.
I've been here 7 years. I got a dog 5 1/2 years ago. There are no pets allowed in the complex but about 50% of people here have dogs or cats. I've been getting notices for the past 2 years about the dog. I renewed my lease in September of 2000, got a notice in October, December, January, and so on also received a notice February that my lease is terminated the 28th of February because of the dog. I sent them the rent check for Mar 1st and they sent it back to me stating that they sent me a notice and my lease is terminated. So now what can I do? My dog is 15 lbs. dachshund and doesn't bother anyone. Should I go around the complex and get signatures from people with dogs or should I stand still or get a lawyer.
Thank You if anyone can help.

 

[LL]

You should do none of the above.

Your only hope is to go and talk to the management, offer to get rid of the dog within 3 days (or so), offer your check again, say please, and basically beg for mercy.

You should do this right away, because if they refuse, then you need to spend the time looking for a new place to live.

 

[dj1]

You should check to see if there is a pet law like here in NYCity,

They would NOT be able to evict you if they had actual knowledge of the dogs for 90 days and did not try to evict.

So by the renewal lease they have waived their rights to enforce that part of the lease.

A few nasty letters by a lawyer should make them think differently.

 

[LL]

I couldn't find such a law, although New Jersey's statute web site doesn't search very well.

Do you know of such a law in NJ, dj?

 

[dj1]

I couldnt find anything either, its not a good website...

I Guess he should spend $50 on a consultation with a lawyer..maybe there is a local law.

 

[LL]

I couldn't find such a law in New York City, either, dj.

Do you have a link to this law?

 

[LL]

Hey, dj !

You haven't forgotten about this one, have you?

I'm still hoping that you will give us a pointer to this NYC pet law.

There really is such a law, isn't there?