Tenant keeping unauthorized pet
4 Replies
Sadia Abbasi
from Pittsburgh, PA
posted 2 months ago
I have a tenant in one of the units of a duplex in which I live. I am in the process of selling the duplex (Pittsburgh, PA). I had a realtor coming in to take pictures of the house and saw that my tenant had a snake in one of the rooms (of course hidden). On the pet addendum, this tenant mentioned that she had a cat and a dog. It does say on the lease that no other pet should be brought in on the property other than the ones mentioned. Now I don't know for how long she had that snake for. I didn't see it either given I don't go to her property. She clearly broke the lease. Please recommend the actions steps that I can/should take.
Greg Scott
Rental Property Investor from SE Michigan
replied 2 months ago
There is only one action to take. Your lease should describe the remedies for the resident's violation. Follow the language of the lease.
Sadia Abbasi
from Pittsburgh, PA
replied 2 months ago
Originally posted by @Greg Scott :There is only one action to take. Your lease should describe the remedies for the resident's violation. Follow the language of the lease.
I didn't mention in the lease what happens if a lease is violated. Will do it in future but what are my options now?
Greg Scott
Rental Property Investor from SE Michigan
replied 2 months ago
If there has been a lease violation, they are in breach of contract (the lease being the contract). Provide them a letter that they must resolve the situation within X days. You should seek advice of a real estate attorney for your jurisdiction.
Sadia Abbasi
from Pittsburgh, PA
replied 2 months ago
Originally posted by @Greg Scott :If there has been a lease violation, they are in breach of contract (the lease being the contract). Provide them a letter that they must resolve the situation within X days. You should seek advice of a real estate attorney for your jurisdiction.
Thank you Greg for your help.