I hate landlords!

[AquaScaper]

My landlord has finally been here fixing things and has been talking about flooding and how we seem to be so prone to it. Well since we were talking about water, he brought up my tanks and his concerns over them possibly leaking and flooding out the upper and or lower portion of the house. He hasn't quite said it at this point, but he was sort of getting at wanting me to get rid of the tanks. Can he do that?????? There is nothing in my rental agreement that states I can't have fish and nothing that states that I can. We didn't have fish when we moved in but have had them for over a yr and he's known about it so what now? Can he make me dispose of the tanks? :(:confused:

[Melody]

Did the agreement say anything about pets? Weight? Waterbeds?

Otherwise, he can probably get away with it because according to him, you are doing something that could potentially damage his property. Maybe not though. Its not like you're BBQ'ing in the Livingroom. I think you're smart to be looking into it now though, just in case.

You may have to call your insurance company to see if you can get it covered. You could always sign an agreement that says you will be responsible for the damage.

Perhaps if he is so concerned about water damage, he should ensure that you have no more flooding, hmmm? Yes, let's address that first, nasty Landlord, and then pick on Ms. Aquascaper later :mad: .

[AquaScaper]

The rental agreement allowed us to have the cats, as that was all we had at the time we rented the home. There were no stipulations on the addition of other "pets" furry or otherwise. I've made no attempt to hide any of the tanks, they've been here for a long time now and he's even enjoyed watching the fish in the past, now all of a sudden they've become a problem.

Obviously if one of my tanks leaked or worse case scenario grenaded all together I would be the one who would be financially responsible so I don't know what the issue is.:realmad:

[CACAdmin]

When I was conerned about my tanks (there is a no pets policy in my building), I expressed those concerns to Melody whose advice at least relieved some of my concerns whne they were coming to view my suite :eek: . I checked my 'tenants' insurance policy and it explicity says it covers: "Water Damage: loss of damage caused by the sudden and accidental escape of water or steam from a domestic water container located on your premises... However, damage is not covered when the escape of water is caused by freezing." It also covers the fish: "Household animals, birds or fish: We will insure your household animals, birds of fish up to a limit of $2,000 in all. They are insured only if loss or damage is caused by fire, lightening, explosion, theft, smoke, riot, vandalism or malicious acts, windstorm or hail and collapse of an insured building or any part of that building." So maybe windstorm power outages might come under that too!


As for your landlord, he should be more concerned that you might want compensation for the damage done by the flooding. However, I know how you feel. I did own my own place at one time but now rent. This is the only 'down side' of renting: you feel your are accoiuntable to the landlord.

If your lease says nothing about having pets, I don't think he has has a leg to stand on. He can't make up a rule to suit his needs. However, do check your insurance policy. If you are covered (& I'm betting you are as mine is a generic tenant policy), then you at least have something to present to him.

[Melody]

So check your tennants insurance and the next time he says something, reply "That would be a good thing to put into the rental agreement when you next rent this house."

That tells him you know your rights and it also reminds him that you could leave if he gets too pushy :cool: .

Edit: Lean on the latter heavily. I have been on the Membership Committee here for years - there is no tougher time to fill a house than around or immediately after the holidays. He does not want you to leave right now.

[AquaScaper]

Well apparently we've been the best tenants thus far and he hasn't increased the rent at all the whole time we've been here b/c he doesn't want us to move so ya if I have to play the giving my notice card I just very well may. Realistically who wants to pay 100% rent for 50% worth of accommodations anyhow and with the bsmt being flood prone the way it is, I really don't see how we should be expected to pay rental on a FULL house with FULL bsmt when the bsmt is sadly really not 100% usable.Does that not make perfect sense? Not to mention the health hazards of occupying a bsmt with a black mold problem which has yet to be attended too.....

Thanks for the advice :D

[Soggybottom]

I heard a story about a landlord who tried to kick out a tenant who was chronically late with paying rent. Since he had let the tenant pay late 3 times, the judge or whoever ruled that late payment had become implicitly acceptable and the landlord had no grounds for arguing :)
I bet there is a similar thing for fish, if you've had them for a decent length of time already....
On the other hand, once you and your landlord get that nasty relationship going, its only going to get nastier no matter who is right about what.....at least in my experience :)

[AquaScaper]

Well it's becoming a non issue. Thanks for all the input and replies, in the future when renting I will make sure to edit any rental agreement to include anything that I may potentially have one day so it never becomes an issue again.

[thegrandpoohbah]

So is your landlord the reason you are getting rid of all the tanks?

[AquaScaper]

He's the partial reason, life's little trivialities is the other lol. I'm still keeping 2 and am keeping my favorite fish, being the Loaches, the smaller CAE's and the apple snails of course lol.

[Melody]

That's good, because I would miss you :hugs: .