Apartment hunting

[okiron]

My friend and I have been apartment hunting for 2 months now. We have till mid-September to October (at the very latest) to find our new place. It's harder than it looks when we both can't afford much and have so many animals. Especially in the midst of northern Orange County (California). I'm getting to a desperate point of choosing a nice "no pets" place and just sneaking the bunch in. But at the same time, we have so many that it's doubtful we could get away with it. Not to mention the kitties sitting by the window at any given time. It's just that there are only about 5% of places that we can afford AND are pet friendly, which just happens to be in the shabbiest places where we'd be afraid of infestations and safety violations >.< I'm also getting to a point of paying those websites that will show you pet friendly apartments for about $60. The funny thing is we would both rather go through the frustrations of being able to find a place to live than to ever think of lessening our big family. We could always in the end move to a more affordable state/living area. We can't just pick which family members go or stay.

Please share me your experience of sneaking pets into "no pet" housing and would you do it again? Has anyone tried those websites where you pay to see listings? Are they worth it?

As of right now we have 2 cats, 2 bunnies, 2 bearded dragons, 2 snakes, 1 chinchilla and 1 chameleon. We have more living with various people until we could find a more permanent living arrangement lol.

 

[maherwoman]

Wow...I know just what you mean...apartment hunting in CA is extremely difficult and frustrating.

In all honesty, when we go searching, we don't readily mention the animals, mostly because our animals are VERY well trained, so we know they aren't going to do any damage to the place. Combine that with the fact that place charge (and this is not most, this is ALL) at least $250/pet for you to have them (our place was asking $500/animal)...it's just rediculous!!

So, while it's not on the straight-and-narrow from an extreme standpoint, we do, indeed sneak our animals in...but only in places that WOULD allow pets for a deposit amount.

Something REALLY important I should let you know...it is illegal here in California for places to charge something they like to call "pet rent". That is, adding a certain amount of money to the monthly rent for you having pets. It's is completely against the law...and avoid moving somewhere that tries to tell you that, even so far as to move in without letting them know you have animals.

As far as our situation, our landlords know full-well at this point that we have animals. The manager has been in our place more times than I can count, and all of our animals are right there, in the livingroom, out in the open...there's simply no way she wouldn't have noticed that we have animals. Not to mention, the kitties sitting in the window, and such.

As far as paying a service that has a listing of places to check out...it's a GREAT idea. We pay a company that does a lot of places in our area about the same price ($60), and get a nice listing of places. It's invaluable, especially in southern CA, where places are few and far between, and difficult to find. I totally recommend it!

So, there you go...from one SoCal resident to another. I feel your pain, and know what you're going through. If you need any support, feel free to drop me a line, ok?

Hugs!

Rosie*

 

[JadeIcing]

I paid $300 to have my dog here.

We have looked around this is the best in our area.

 

[okiron]

Thanks Rosie. Even if we find a pet friendly place we do plan on sneaking the little guys in. I don't think paying $200-500 on top of the $500-$1000 they want as regular deposit is right. It will not take $1500 to fix whatever mess my animals could ever make in the 1 year I'm signing for the lease!

I didn't know that pet rent was illegal though. There has been many places that require it. Where did you read this?

I think I'll give it another week then I will sign up for those websites.

 

[maherwoman]

Yeah, that's exactly what I thought...it just isn't right to ask for so much, in my book.

As far as where I learned this info from, I have a friend whose mom has worked in the business for a long time, and knew all the laws regarding such things, and that was always the main thing she stressed to me. Pet rent = illegal.

She also said that they're not allowed, by law, to ask for a deposit that's more than a month's worth of rent...and they're technically not allowed to call it "first & last month's rent"...it's supposed to be labeled a deposit. Or maybe it was the other way around with what they're allowed to call it...but the first part is for sure...it can't be more than one month's rent.

Keep me updated on how things go!

Hope you find the perfect place soon!

Hugs!

Rosie*

 

[JadeIcing]

Weird. Here it was a one time fee. If we lost Kashi we would not have to pay again it would be the same fee for another dog.

 

[Bassetluv]

Many years ago when I first moved to Ottawa, the law did not protect tenants from landlords who issued no pet clauses. As a result, I not only found it difficult to find a place that allowed cats, but was forced to give up my dog - left her behind in the province I came from. Talk about agonizing, having to give up my son's companion, and thinking we would never see her again...my son had just turned six and went to bed every night in tears, crying over his dog. I'd left Misty with my best friend, and after finally giving up the search to find a place that allowed pets, told her (through my tears) to find Misty a good home. Thank goodness for best friends though; Lynn said that Misty would have a home with her for as long as she needed it, and if I ever was able to find a place that allowed it, then I could send for her. And thankfully, just over a year later my sis and her husband purchased a small rental apt and asked me to manage it for them...I agreed, on the condition our dog could live there too. So Misty and my son were reunited, through the love and caring of some pretty wonderful people.

But the apartment I did wind up renting for that first year didn't allow any pets, and we'd already brought our cat with us from Nova Scotia. There was no way I was going to be forced to part with him too (he was my *heartcat*, Snooch), so I snuck him into the building. All went well and no events - save a couple of fearful times when the landord needed entry...once to exterminate cockroaches (which didn't work), and the other to fix the toilet - gave away Snooch's presence. I hid him at my sister's house during those two occasions. But I must say, I was on pins and needles constantly, fearful that he would be discovered and we would be evicted.

Thankfully, here in Ontario the law changed several years ago, and landlords are no longer allowed to threaten eviction over pets or demand that the tenant get rid of them. Nor are they allowed to charge anything beyond first and last month's rent...they cannot charge for 'pet fees'...though they can, of course, charge for any damages the pet might have caused when the tenant leaves. There is a restriction as to how many pets can be had by a person; however, that applies not only to tenants, but to house owners as well. The only way a landlord can ask a tenant to remove their animal(s) is if the pet is causing problems for other tenants or is in some way a threat. No pet clauses are illegal, and as such are considered invalid on a lease. Even if the landlord states you have to get rid of your pet for whatever reason, they cannot force you to...only the Landlord and Tenant board has that power.

I do understand why no pet clauses were originally created, as there are - as with anything else - people out there who just don't care, and will allow their pets to create damage to a rental. As a former building superintendent (twice in my life), I've seen some pretty gross things...including one fellow who skipped out on his rent, left the building without telling anyone, and hadn't paid his rent in months. Upon entering the vacated apartment I saw a fish tank that was leaking water all over the hardwood floors, the refridgerator had been filled to the brim with dead fish that the tenant had caught from a nearby lake (and the power had been cut off for several weeks...you can just imagine the smell from that alone), and behind the refridgerator, his cat - the poor thing - had used that area as a litter box. Obviously he'd never been provided with one...cat feces was piled at least a foot and a half high behind there, and the smell of cat urine was in everything, the walls, the floors, the cupboards. However, in all the years that I did act as a superintendent - both for a small building as well as for two larger ones...24 units in each, and all of them allowed pets), by far the most damage was almost always done by humans, not their pets.

I absolutely do not agree with landlords having the power to dictate 'no pets'. It seems to infringe upon every person's rights, considering the cost of housing and the impossibility for a great majority to afford a house. And forcing a person to have to choose between a place to live and giving up their beloved companion is a great injustice, and is cruel. I do wish we had the power to change this rule and grant all people the right to keep their pets.

Sorry...got off on a little rant there (it's always been a bone of contention with me, that's all). Okiron, I agree with the others, that the service you mentioned which helps locate pet-friendly apartments sounds like a great idea. I do hope you find a wonderful place to live soon, one where you can have all of your companions with you.

 

[maherwoman]

Wow, Bassetluv...I can't believe anybody would let their animal do that (that poor kitty...I'm sure he/she was denied many other things if the guy wouldn't even provide a litterbox). Although, I'm sure apartment managers have a great many such stories to share.

Yeah, I agree...it should be illegal to say "no pets". People here in CA are so concerned with liability and having to pay for things they don't want to or feel they shouldn't have to...people cover their keister in rediculous ways here. It's next to impossible to find a place that accepts pets, outright. Flat IMPOSSIBLE to find one that would accept a pet without a good amount of deposit, though it is possible (albeit rare) to find one that just does a flat fee, instead of a per pet fee.

I think it's cruel...and forces a great many pets to be put in shelters, and I'm sure if we were to do a count of such things, we'd find that at least 80% of the animals surrendered are for those reasons.

Poor babies...

I think it's horrible...

 

[okiron]

Woohoo Rosie, I will be sure to use my new-found knowledge on those landlords!

Wow Bassetluv thank you for sharing your story. I'm glad your son and dog were reunited. I don't think I could've gone through all that. With what you're saying, I should move to Onterio lol.

 

[Bassetluv]

maherwoman wrote:

Wow, Bassetluv...I can't believe anybody would let their animal do that (that poor kitty...I'm sure he/she was denied many other things if the guy wouldn't even provide a litterbox). Although, I'm sure apartment managers have a great many such stories to share.

Yes, I know...yet some of the things people do continue to astound me. Thankfully I never ran across any of the unspeakable horrors that poor pets suffered on Animal Precinct (on Animal Planet), but sadly, had seen a lot of neglect. And I agree; a lot of the problem with shelters overflowing stems directly from the fact that landlords refuse to allow pets. Heartbreaking for both pet and owner.

Wow Bassetluv thank you for sharing your story. I'm glad your son and dog were reunited. I don't think I could've gone through all that. With what you're saying, I should move to Onterio lol.

That had to be one of the hardest times in my life. My son had just turned six the week before we moved, and in coming here the only ones I knew were my sister and brother. The rest of the family (such that it was) lived back home. So my son had to leave behind family and friends, and his dog. I didn't realize just how much he would miss Misty, and had actually expected to get her back within a month or two. But that month or two wound up being over a year, with most of that year thinking we would never see her again. But then came one of the best days of my life: The day I called my friend and told her to ship Misty to us. I didn't tell Stephen anything about it, and when the plane finally landed in Ottawa (another mini-nightmare, as the truck carrying the 'baggage' - including Misty in her crate - got stuck on the runway in a freak snowstorm, and it sat there for almost an hour) my brother and I went and picked her up. Stephen was lying on the sofa sleeping when we came in, so I let Misty go and she immediately spotted him. She ran up to my son and began licking him all over, and with eyes still closed, Stephen kept mumbling, "Go away Nikki, go away"...thinking it was my sister's dog. But when he finally opened his eyes and saw who it was....I can't begin to describe the moment to you. He called out, "MISTY!!!!" and hugged her, saying, "Mom! It's Misty!! It's Misty!!!" LOL...I still get choked up thinking about it.

And Ontario...it is a pretty nice place. Though for the life of me, I don't know why but I still want to move to the U.S.

 

[okiron]

Bassetluv you got me a little choked up there. Happy endings are always wonderful.

 

[okiron]

Well, we found a couple places here in OC that we might be looking at but we also found this great place in Arizona. We're driving down this weekend to have a look-see. So, either way, I think our housing troubles are almost over

 

[maherwoman]

YAY! Good deal! I'm happy to hear it!

 

[JadeIcing]

okiron wrote:

Bassetluv you got me a little choked up there. Happy endings are always wonderful.

Ditto made mechoked up.

 

[okiron]

Instead of making a completely new thread for one question, I'll just revive this one.

Ok, now even with the no pet rule, if you have openly been keeping the pet for 3 months or more, they can't evict you for it. But what does the law say about places that allow pets but have restrictions? I have 2 cats and soon to be 3 bunnies, the buns are considered "caged" animals and are allowed but they have a 1 cat restriction. I only owned up to the one cat because face it, they told me the restrictions before asking exactly how many pets I had. If I do move in and they do find out (which I know they will, they both love windows), what are the legal consequences if they want to make a deal out of it? (State of California)

 

[maherwoman]

I'm honestly not sure what the law(s) are for that one.

Here are some sites that may help, though:

http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/FHLaws/

http://realestate.findlaw.com/?DCMP=KWC-G-PUBLIC

That second site is invaluable for so many things. Once you find the title of what you're looking for, you can try googling that title, and come up with so many things.

I'll do a bit more research to see what else I can find for you, but that second site is awesome. I used it to research parental rights after my mother filed a false report about child abuse (from our end) in our home with the Department of Child and Family Services. She did it just to try to get custody, but it wound up not getting any further than the visit from DCFS, as it was crystal clear that everything in the report was a complete fabrication. (Got very close to filing a Temporary Restraining Order on my mother after this...she's threatened to kidnap my daughter many times.)

Anyway, I'll do a bit more research and see what I can find for you that's more specific.

Hugs!

 

[maherwoman]

Here's something interesting for you to keep in mind in looking for a place...

http://realestate.findlaw.com/tenant/tenant-overview/tenant-overview-rights.html

 

[maherwoman]

Here's a site that lists different California Codes...this exactly link I'm giving you lists out the California Civil Codes, which would include anything to do with real estate (which would inlcude landlord/tenant rights).

One thing to keep in mind...tenants have MANY more rights than landlords. One thing my friend's mother told me is that landlords actually get the short end of the stick, legally. Tenants are MUCH more protected by the Civil Codes.

So, it may be a really good idea to root around and read them, or even have them printed out. If you encounter words you don't understand (as in what, exactly, various words pertain to), there is almost always a glossary to explain each term. My recommendation is to look for the "Definitions" and "General Provisions" for each section of the codes. They'll define what the section is pertaining to, and define various pertinant words in the codes.

Here's the link to the California Civil Codes:
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cacodes/civ.html

Be patient and take your time...there's a lot there. But it's worth reading through.

For example, when I read through the California Family Codes, lots there, too...but I found that if we'd been living with (not even married) my husband after a certain amount of time, and if my daughter considers him her father, it's just as concrete as if he were to formally adopt her, outright. That's important for us to know, as we haven't yet put through papers for him to formally adopt her (even though it's only $12 here in CA).

So, check them out. I'm having a lot of physical difficulty today, and am thus not able to do it, and give you the pertinant links...but be patient and take them one at a time.

Hugs!

 

[okiron]

Thank you Rosie, I'll read it all through. You've helped a lot

 

[maherwoman]

Great! Glad to hear it!

Let me know if you need anymore help!

Hugs!

Rosie*