Pet references

[kc456 0]

Quote from a rental ad:

"...Great family home and pets considered with references and pet deposit..."

Since when do you need references for pets? Anyone heard of this?

[butuan 0]

Quote from a rental ad:

"...Great family home and pets considered with references and pet deposit..."

Since when do you need references for pets? Anyone heard of this?

You are reading it wrong, and it is not written to clearly, it means references for you and a pet deposit

[ChristinaM 0]

I think it's implying a reference from a previous landlord where you've had pets, so that they know you're a responsible pet owner

Edited February 19, 2006 by clmarsh

[lucyisblue 0]

Some landlords do require references for the pets. Many websites about renting with a pet suggest having them prepared in advance.

I had them when I rented my last house in Oregon. The owner had a no pet policy, but with the references she allowed my cats. It is worth a try if you are in an area that is harder to rent with pets.

[Kajikit 65]

The reference is for you to say that you're a responsible pet owner and you didn't let your animal/s destroy the last place you were living, or bark all night long to disturb the neighbours etc. So really it's a reference for the pet as well, because some animals just aren't the sort that you want next door...

(the people who moved into the apartment next to ours have at least one small and yappy dog, who goes beserk every time we open our front door... ugh!)

[kaydee457 13]

As a landlord myself I can comment and offer some insight.

I at one time accepted "pet references" but no longer do. I have learned through experience that other landlords, in order to eject undesirable tenants, will attest to anything, and this is one of many things.

My new policy is - no pets...period.

Edited February 20, 2006 by kaydee457

[cmartyn 0]

Yeah NO PETS!!

And it sux for responsible pet owners. I used to ask why on earth would anyone care if I had a cat or not? I mean cats make no noise... But if they are not cared for properly or they are spraying males.. yuck. And people flush the litter down the toilet!

Anyhow, If I was a landlord, Id be going with the no pet deal and no Kids if I could get away with it. No BBQ, and no loud sex either.

[kaydee457 13]

Oh, I forgot the "no kids" caveat....We're not allowed, under state law, to discount from consideration those prospective tenants that have kids but of course we do.

Kids are out too.

I have a house with two apartments: a two bedroom and a three bedroom. I look for adults. Mother with older children (in teens) or younger couple needing an extra bedroom for storage. Kids less than 14, or 15, are absolutely a rejection.

[Chicky 0]

Guess there eventually with that attitude going to be a lot of homeless people because no one will rent to them as they have kids.

unfrickingbelievable. I understand they make messes but I've known adults who can ###### an apartment up worse than kids, teens for that matter too.

[ChristinaM 0]

Don't tell me guys, you also discriminate against those with mental difficulties because they'd tarnish the look of your apartment building whilst they're standing outside, and against single mothers because it's immoral, and against people of colour..... Oh, to hell with the laws against those kinda things, they're more "guidelines" than rules to ensure fair housing opportunities to everyone.

The Department of Human Rights administers the Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (with regard to employment ), age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, military service or unfavorable military discharge.

When I worked in renting, some landlords would try and pull that $hit on me. I retaliated by finding them the perfect candidate at a higher rent than they were asking for... Who hit all of their "no" buttons.

You own a property, not the world.

[jodyangel 0]

Yeah but what about the rights of the Owners of the apartments...

My father has rentals and its a pita! They tear the house UP! They don't always pay..and when he can't do anything about it basically. So after they get far behind in payments they up and disapear in the middle of the night. Its not worth it to try and track them, so he eats the loss. The houses are almost always trashed. Holes kicked in walls and doors broken off hinges.

Renters can be real trouble. It sounds like easy money but its not. And esp. if the renting is for lower income. Man!!! Look at both sides.

[ChristinaM 0]

Oh, trust me, I've seen it happen. And when it does, there are also laws in place to protect the landlord - certainly in England and Wales. For particularly bad tenants, there's something called a "Section 8" notice, which allows for a two-week forced eviction under certain circumstances. Circumstances such as tenants being two months in arrears, for example... I can't believe that we have laws to protect both sides in the UK and you don't here...

This is the trouble with people who rent their own property - they don't draw up the relevant paperwork or know the pertinent laws and should things go wrong, it blows up in their face. It's a great argument to get someone who knows what they're talking about to rent your property, because they have access to credit checking facilities etc. and here in the US, you have to be licenced to deal in real estate.

Edited February 20, 2006 by clmarsh

[kaydee457 13]

You own a property, not the world.

Precisely why I screen all my own tenants and place all my own ads......There's an inherent disrespect for the rights of property owners in this country. We are mostly portrayed, and cast as villains.

I have no need for real estate people. They're primarily self centered and represent only their own interests.

[Fandango 1,439]

Well speaking as a real estate agent, I can say that I am not self-centered & represent my own interests. Of course I make a living (shouldn't everyone?) but I have facilitated some fantastic transactions & have helped ppl have home ownership where they otherwise thought it was an impossibility.

I am very proud of what I do, and consider it an honor to be in my position. I don't consider myself completely exceptional in this regard...as I have met other realtors who share my views.

So while I think you may have obviously had some bad experiences, Kaydee, I would respectfully ask that you don't tar us all with the same brush.

That being said....I personally do not deal in rental property...most realtors® don't , but I find it very sad that you're discriminating against families.

[kc456 0]

I think that kaydy457 is one of the many aliases of Agent Smith -- the one he uses to piss people off!

In any case, thanks for clarifying about pet references. They do exist!

We are going to look at a couple of places today, more of an exploration of what's out there. My apartment complex wants $1800 for a 2-bedroom place (seriously). But they don't need the pet references. I guess we'll find out whether they are full of it or it's what's out there.