Unauthorized Pets
Usually, tenants are permitted to keep pets in their apartments unless the lease specifically prohibits it. If a tenant violates this lease provision, he/she can be subject to eviction. However, a no-pet clause in a lease is considered waived where a tenant openly keeps a pet for at least three months and during this time, the landlord knew, or should have realized, that the tenant was keeping a pet in violation of the lease provision. It should be noted that this rule does not apply to public housing or to situations where the animal is causing damage to the rental unit; is a nuisance; or substantially interferes with other tenants.
There is also an exception for tenants with service animals. A no-pet clause does not apply to tenants that require service animals. There are federal and state laws regarding disabilities and reasonable accommodations that protect these tenants and their animals and actually prevent landlords from taking specific action or asking questions about these tenants and their animals.
Our firm has helped landlords protect their property from unauthorized pets and have counseled them on their rights under the law when it comes to tenants and their service animals. Let us help you stay in compliance with these. Give us a call at 914-965-1011 or contact us by email at jdibbini@dibbinilaw.com.
There is also an exception for tenants with service animals. A no-pet clause does not apply to tenants that require service animals. There are federal and state laws regarding disabilities and reasonable accommodations that protect these tenants and their animals and actually prevent landlords from taking specific action or asking questions about these tenants and their animals.
Our firm has helped landlords protect their property from unauthorized pets and have counseled them on their rights under the law when it comes to tenants and their service animals. Let us help you stay in compliance with these. Give us a call at 914-965-1011 or contact us by email at jdibbini@dibbinilaw.com.