Tenant violates the Lease Agrement with a second dog.

[Katharina Modelska]

Hi there: per my Lease agreement my tenant was allowed to move in with one small dog. Two days after she moved in, my neighbors have informed me that they see 2 dogs in the yard. The dogs are barking and disrupting the  Neighbour hood. I asked my Tenant to remove the second dog - a boxer. First, she said this is not her dog. The dog belongs to her aunt who had a car accident and is staying at s hospital. I still said - she should remove the second dog. Then, she presented a letter from an EZ clinic in San Francisco stating that she has psychiatric disability and needs 2 dogs to feel better. She signed. 1 year lease with me, later month to month payments.

I was informed that I cannot do anything, sunset she is mentally disabled. I need to wait until a year is over. Then, I can increase the rent to push her out.

Does anyone have a similar experience with a tenant who is dishonest and manupilative? 

Are they any options for me to deal with this situation? My tenant does not want to sign some reasonable rules of conduct with 2 dogs. She is just ignoring my emails. 

Thank you very much in advance for your insights And advise. Very much appreciated. 

[Jim K.]

@Katharina Modelska

You have a problem tenant in what looks to be the Bay Area. You are not in a good situation. There was a lie to start this mess. Now there's a letter. You need to focus on what you can do regarding this issue, and that will involve speaking to a lawyer in your area. I'm pretty sure an "EZ clinic" isn't any way to go to get an ESA accommodation, but we allow pets in our properties and we haven't had to deal with this foolishness yet.

This is going to be a learning experience for you.

The worst that can happen is that you will be required to let this woman stay for one year. That's it for this tenant.

If the dogs continue to make noise, investigate the possibilities of your lease and the local laws to get rid of this woman through that avenue.

The way I would feel about this is that this woman has chosen to go to war with me and my business. I am not a nice person, let along a quality landlord, to people who make such choices. I've been known to nurse grudges for years, despite how unprofitable it often is. I would suggest that you not give in to whatever emotional urges you're feeling, especially the ones suggesting your behavior should stray into legal gray areas.