I've been living in my apartment for 5 months and included every pet we have on our rental application (4 small birds, small dog), we have already paid the so called "$300 pet deposit". Now she's decided to charge us $100 more per each bird (four total), and insists on me signing a "pet agreement". Is this legal to be charging me extra? Is it ok to introduce new paperwork after I have been residing here almost half way through my lease months?|||It really depends on the law where you live, but do NOT sign an agreement that is not in your best interests.
Many landlords like to think they can do whatever they want and force you to sign things, but the truth is that most of the time they can't.
Refuse to sign and refuse to pay until you find out exactly what the law is in your area.
In NJ, additional pet deposits are not allowed if the amount of the pet deposit and your regular deposit amounts to more than 1.5 times the monthly rent.|||It's probably a safeguard in case they cause any damage, but it's her building and you're living there|||the initial 300 is understandable but for ever little bird thats just ridiculous|||did she know about all the other pets when you moved in? if she did then she cant do that.|||yes|||I don't think is right. Push back and report it and get advice from the BBB (best business bureau).|||she can't change the terms on your lease agreement til the end of your lease. you can't change the terms either. you complied, listed your pets and paid the required deposit. look this up on a legal website because these type of people alway need some legal terms thrown at them to obey the rules.|||Are the birds in a cage?
Also, the comment above mine sounds good.|||Tell them that you won't do it. If they try to evict you, you can sue, and you WILL win. Got a copy of all your move in paperwork? Hold onto it and get ready to rumble!!!|||No it is not legal, if you have done no damage to the apartment. If policies change then there needs to be a formal letter sent to all the tenants and a 30 day notice. I would contact the actual owner of the complex if other then her. Then I would talk to a lawyer on your rights as a renter. Lets not forget you signed a contract listing what exactly you needed to pay for before living there. If you met all your obligations then you should be ok. Be sure to document and date any and all receipts, papers, visits, ext...|||What is legal and isn't is dependent on the landlord-tenant ordinance in your area. If you signed something saying you paid the pet deposit and that's in the lease, then no, she can't, and you can call her on it. I'd check your local ordinances as well for when you tell her so, because you can quote them to her then; this is often helpful in these situations.
If any part of your lease contradicts these ordinances, the lease is automatically subordinate the to laws, and she must abide by them.|||It is normal and legal to charge a pet deposit in most places. However, if you are already moved in, and she is introducing new paperwork, I would think that you would not have an obligation to sign it. If you refuse to sign, she may just decline to renew your lease when it ends. Laws of this type vary from state to state and you should check with a lawyer.|||Does your initial lease agreement say that the landlord can make changes to the policy? If she has that wording in the agreement then yes, she can do whatever she wants. Otherwise, no, she wouldn't be able to charge you any new fees without your consent, which is probably why she is having you sign the new pet agreement. I would bring the copy of the lease that you signed to her and tell her that you've lived up to the agreement that you made and will not sign any new policies. Let her know that by adding to the lease, she is breaking the inital agreement, which would give you grounds to sue and/or move.|||It's not illegal but check your original lease terms in the pet section. If you have not added any more pets you shouldn't have to pay more at this point. She can ask you to sign but you don't have to. Get a copy and read it carefully. Asking for more money 5 months in does not sound right. She can't charge you more if you have not added more pets to your household. If you have a problem check with your state attorney general. Know your rights......read your lease too. Good luck~cnn|||It is completely and totally legal.|||Your lessor can only hold you to her original lease you signed. Hope you kept a copy of everything including your rental application. You may need all this when you leave for small claims court. Unfortunately many lessee's don't use a Realtor to find rental property and therefore are not protected by an agent and probably did not receive a copy of everything they signed. You will probably have a problem when you leave with your deposit. When you do leave. Make sure you give your lessor in writing certified mail your notice to vacate. Make sure you have pic of the property in as good or better condition than when you moved in. In most States the Landlord (lessor) has a limited amount of time to give you an itemized list of damages and reason for keeping any of your deposit. If they violate this law you can take them to small claims court and collect up to double what they withheld. Here is a link to check the law in your state.
Good luck,
Michael|||Yes its a common practice.
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