All Forum Posts by: Linda S.

Thanks everyone for all your help and advice!   The second tenant took it well (relatively), and we will adjust the other dog upon lease renewal.   I appreciate your help and suggestions, they were great! 

Good point Stephanie,  it's absolutely this one.     So maybe he didn't lie, and it was my own ignorance of the dog breeds. 

http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/staffordshire-bull-terrier/

That's a good point about the lease, they applied saying no pets, and the lease states pets are okay with approval of the landlord.   

Also a good point to let the original duplex tenant know about the lease change, although it's a hard pill to swallow when he's overall such a great tenant!  Since he put "terrier mix," and that's what we have for records, is it worth the fight to change the policy on him, or should I just bite the bullet, assuming he will leave if the dog no longer can stay.    

Thanks again, I love this site!!!

That's great advice,  thanks! 

The fence is new,  and to my knowledge hasn't tried to escape.   The fact I've been reading all these pitbull murder stories, doesn't help.   I just want to cover my bases legally/insurance wise, just in case something does happen. 

Thanks Jassem, we have small fenced yards in the back.   I was thinking of requiring that if the dog is in the back, we require the dog be on a chain/wire to make sure it doesn't escape?   The first tenant leaves the "terrier-mix"  outside most of the time?  I'd like to get away from Pitbulls, just not sure how when the other tenant has one?

I was wondering if I could get some opinions/suggestions on the best way to handle this situation.   I have a duplex, that's fully renovated with ceramic tile throughout, so we have an open pet policy.  

Our first tenant stated he had a "mixed terrier" which I thought was a Scottish Terrier  (like http://theterriermix.com/), so we signed the lease without seeing the dog(never again!).  It's pretty much a pitbull, however it has no aggressive history and is very nice/sweet.     Tenant has renters insurance.   We also have in place a statement saying the dog is not aggressive and doesn't have an aggressive history.    We stated we take all breeds, as long as they have renters insurance and the dogs don't have any aggressive history.  So the tenant isn't technically going against anything in our contract.

Now, the new tenants on the other side of the duplex wants to get a pitbull, and they are saying that "since the neighbor has one, they should be allowed to get one too."    When we agreed to first dog (yes, we should have seen it first), we didn't know it was pretty much a  pitbull.    Our insurance said they cover pretty much all dogs, but not pitbulls.   I even said to the insurance company "great, because one has a terrier-mix" and he didn't say it wouldn't be covered, so I assume it's not an issue, as the tenant stated it was a "terrier-mix" to us.   Since pitbull isn't a breed, not sure how to cover that?  Both renters have at least 100K in liability insurance on their policy.  The original tenant has been great, pays on time and is a respectful military client, so the dog hasn't caused any issues.     

What is the best way to handle this?   Tell them that the neighbors dog is a "terrier-mix," and they're allowed that?  Try and implement a new pet policy before the newer tenants get a dog, and say tough luck, no pitbulls?   Kick the original dog "terrier-mix" out, and implement a strong pet policy?  Tell them we're changing our policy next time they sign the lease?  Demand I am put on their insurance?   Say they need more insurance~ $1M? Get large PUP?  Both tenants have 1 year leases, that just started within a few months, and have passed all other tenant qualifications, and are overall very responsible people.     

I may be overreacting, but I'd rather be proactive with this than reactive after a bite.   Please help! 

~Linda

Ps.  Our new policy moving forward is cats okay, small dogs only.

Hi Mike,

We have a few properties in Petersburg, VA. The address you listed is located very close to a low income complex, so if your goal is to rent to HUD/Section 8, maybe, but there is a lot of crime and that's not a very desirable location. Unless it's nearly at the cost of the land, I would pass.

Hi Shawn, 

Are you still looking for a place in Petersburg?

I have a question, which I am wondering if anyone has any outside of the box suggestions. We are brand new to the real estate world (May, 2016), and just bought 2 duplexes in VA. We allow animals, and have specifically done wood plank tile floors throughout so it's pretty much animal proof!

One of our tenant X has a dog, who he leaves chained up outside, to what I know from the other neighbors, about 95% of the time, even when he is home.    The dog is very nice, doesn't bark or cause problems,  and looks healthy.    Last time we went, it was 90+ degrees, and the dog didn't have a water bowl.   Our other tenant asked tenant X, and he said the dog just spills it over.   There isn't a bed, nor even shelter from the sun.      I have seen the tenant bring water, but again it just seems inhumane. 

I don't think I can legally do anything, but would love some suggestions with how to handle the situation?