Keep in mind it actually works the other way, the shitty ones move to Florida, Texas, etc.

We're happy to have you here with us!

I moved my parents back to NJ just before Covid. They would not have made it out alive otherwise.

I didn't read your entire post, but you seem to be making this personal? I don't know why nor do I care why you can't see both sides of the issue.

I have no skin in this game.

I rented.

I had a cat.

It never had a problem until the poor thing did.

It happened to me which is why the post caught my eye.

I was lucky according to MY lawyer - a friend that didn't charge me- I had a landlord that didn't throw me and my cat out of my butt when the estimates to fix it came in or find a way to do so later on.

I don't begrudge other people for owning houses.

I don't begrudge people for renting and wanting pets.

I begrudge anyone that makes a legal agreement, decides they want to change it for their whims and then gets all upset because the other person puts conditions on it.

The way I see it - having been there - the landlord already consulted a lawyer, the laws, and other landlords.

They are not interested in evicting a nice family that apparently is paying on time, but if the renters are going to put the landlord's property in jeopardy of being damaged, then he's going to charge for it.

The fact that it is higher than others is a BIG RED FLASHING SIGN that the landlord is not happy about it and doesn't really want to say yes.

The reality is, the only reason it isn't a hard 'no' is because the landlord is trying to 'work with' the renters probably because they're good payers.

Meanwhile, the renters here are not saying, 'Thank you for giving us a way to have a cat when it's not part of the lease agreement.' They complaining that they should that the pet payment should not reflect what the actual homeowner feels the risk is worth.

There are plenty of ways a landlord can find to get renters out. I liked where I lived and I did/paid what I had to stay there. My landlord was older and was cool as long ad I paid to fix it.

It's called: don't poop where you eat.

You don't have to like it or agree, but those are the facts.

If you want to argue further, go right ahead, so I guess... you.... win?

Thanks, I missed that in tbe OP's statement. I read it as adult cat.

Suurrrre, tell that to my bank account that had to cover the charges.

The landlord is willing to work with them, but the OP is crying foul on the pricing. I personally think they should be happy the LL is willing to do so vs finding a reason for eviction over it.

Rental apartment/houses have been around forever, not just this century. Without them, people new to this country or just starting out would have no stable place to live. It's a business. Of course they are in it to make money. A lot of small landlords do it to help pay their retirement because Social Security doesn't cut it, but the scrimped and saved used a GI Bill get a house. My landlord was pretty decent about it all. Don't start lumping those guys in with these big conglomerates.

Even so, the lease is a legal and binding instrument that nobody forces you to sign. You're issues with the current state housing are beyond the OP's question.

So, lease terms should be ignored because banks/economy/ whoever/whatever have made it difficult to own?

They had 25 years to save up if they were interested in not abiding by the terms of the lease. If they can move to a more pet friendly place with a lower pet fee.

Of course not, but there's no way to predict any cat's reaction to a new environment or what might upset them later on. My cat didn't mark until 2 years in.

I'm just saying that if you signed a lease, then you should hold up to the agreement. It has zero to do with who owns the property or how long they have owned it or how long a renters has lived there. A lease is a legal binding contract.

To me, the bigger point is that the landlord is under no obligation to change a legal contract just because a tenant decides they now want a pet. The tenants knew the terms of the lease before signing it. They wouldn't like the terms suddenly being changed and then crying how it was unfair. There's a sense if responsibility that comes with living up to an agreement that also applies to owning a pet.

I wouldn't want to make a tense situation with a landlord if I liked where I lived. All it does it start giving them reasons to look to get you out. Just me, but, YMMV.

down vote all you want. You don't own the place and you agreed to a lease. You can't change the terms as you see fit. I never even thought to pull that sort of thing all the years I rented because it's a legal contract. You always have the option to go buy your own place that you can do whatever you please wirh a d fix or not fix it.

Also, I don't know if you realize the amount of deep damage that can be done by a cat peeing or marking the floors and walls. Enzyme washes only do so much. Carpets are the least of the issue. Subfloor often need replacing, drywall replaced and repainted, molding, too. It can add up to thousands with one incident even with a fully trained adult housecat - they can get nervous or feel the need to mark and you can't stop them once they get it in their mind to do it even if they've never done it before. Then, after that, there is a high chance the cat will go back and do again - ask me how I know.

BTW, service animals require an Rx from a doctor that has been treating g you mentally already and will continue to treat you and you will need to get that Rx renewed every year.

I love cats - even my little calm marking one, but consider moving to a place where they commonly allow animals already. Don't ruin a decent tenant/landlord relationship over a cat you don't already own.

edit:typo