ohiolandlord
02-09-2006, 05:22 PM
My landlord has written in the lease agreement that no pets are allowed in my house. I have asked him if he would allow my 2 cats that i have had for a while before i moved here. His worry is that a situation will occur like a simular house he owns where the tenant had 7 cats that tore up the carpet and walls.
I have explained to him that my cats are declawed and spaded and neutered. They are completly litter trained so there is no possible damage they could do to the house. All the furniture here is mine.
According to the lease agreement he will fine $150.00 and something like 30-60.00 for everyday there after that a pet is in the house regardless if it is mine or not.
Since he has been unreasonable to talk to, his answer is always no without any discussion or negotiation on the matter, i am willing to bring my 2 cats into the home. But i want to no know what kind of ramifications that can occur before i do this.
I was told that he cannot fine me such a fine unless he can prove that the pets caused some sort of damage to the house. Even if it is written in the lease agreement. i am wanting to know if this is true or not. Can he evict me for such a thing? Can he fine me such a fine for this?
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Ohio, if the lease agreement does not allow for pets, and you take pets into the home without written consent from the landlord, then this would be a cause for eviction if the landlord found out about it.
But the landlord will only be able to charge for his actual damages caused by the pets (if any). What you are describing sounds like a penalty clause, and such clauses are unenforceable in Ohio.
Perhaps you could offer a large (refundable if there is no damage)deposit to the landlord to secure him against any damage that the cats might do, and invite him to come by and inspect the premises with 24 hours notice to you at different times so that he can assure himself that the animals are not damaging the premises.
You can read more of your rights as a tenant in the state of Ohio by downloading our book online at http://www.ohiolandlordtenant.com/book.html
I have explained to him that my cats are declawed and spaded and neutered. They are completly litter trained so there is no possible damage they could do to the house. All the furniture here is mine.
According to the lease agreement he will fine $150.00 and something like 30-60.00 for everyday there after that a pet is in the house regardless if it is mine or not.
Since he has been unreasonable to talk to, his answer is always no without any discussion or negotiation on the matter, i am willing to bring my 2 cats into the home. But i want to no know what kind of ramifications that can occur before i do this.
I was told that he cannot fine me such a fine unless he can prove that the pets caused some sort of damage to the house. Even if it is written in the lease agreement. i am wanting to know if this is true or not. Can he evict me for such a thing? Can he fine me such a fine for this?
_________________
Ohio, if the lease agreement does not allow for pets, and you take pets into the home without written consent from the landlord, then this would be a cause for eviction if the landlord found out about it.
But the landlord will only be able to charge for his actual damages caused by the pets (if any). What you are describing sounds like a penalty clause, and such clauses are unenforceable in Ohio.
Perhaps you could offer a large (refundable if there is no damage)deposit to the landlord to secure him against any damage that the cats might do, and invite him to come by and inspect the premises with 24 hours notice to you at different times so that he can assure himself that the animals are not damaging the premises.
You can read more of your rights as a tenant in the state of Ohio by downloading our book online at http://www.ohiolandlordtenant.com/book.html