In January I signed a lease for an apartment - I move at the end of July. I emailed fairly extensively with the landlord and met with him a couple of times. The thing is that I happen to have pets: specifically, one cat and one dog. He let me know that the cat was fine, no problem, but that my dog was only okay if he didn't make too much noise/get any barking complaints (which I don't think will be an issue). I offered to let him meet my dog, but he said it wasn't a problem...he even said that another tenant had a dog, albeit it didn't live with her all the time.
I've seen other postings for the same building (he owns the entire place), and some ads say cats only, some just say pet friendly, and others don't mention it at all. I've read through the lease and it says that pets are allowed - it doesn't specify dog vs. cat - but it does say max. one animal.
Now, I've been trying to find the email exchange we had on the off chance he wonders why I don't have a dog and/or doesn't remember our conversation - but I can't find it anywhere in my inbox. I can find emails from years ago even but not this specific one!
I'm wondering if I should email him again to ask about the dog, or just leave it be and wait until he says something. If worse comes to worse, my dog can just go back with my parents for a year (maybe less if I found a subleaser and another place to live), but I don't really want to do that.
Carmen, I know - it's so hard to decide what the right thing to do is.
I have thought about having my dog become my ESA. It isn't something I've ever really thought about "needing", but I do have a diagnosis of both GAD and depression and have never had to cross that bridge really because I've been living at home where the dog is obviously okay.
We have five dogs at my house right now, and the one I am going to be bringing with me is actually different than the one I initially spoke to him about. I'm wondering if it would be best to mention that I knew we had been in contact about dog A, but due to some mental health things I would now like to bring dog B instead....and that I haven't had him registered as an ESA as it was previously unnecessary but could if need be. Would that work?
It does help I'm sure that he's a sweet as they come and has his Canine Good Citizen award (meaning he passed a bunch of tests showing that he's good with people and other animals). Even though ESAs don't need formal training, it's good to have.
Okay, I hate to re-up but I emailed my landlord. I think (?) his response was positive but wanted to see what others thought.
I have an appointment with my psychiatrist on Tuesday and my thought was that if my landlord seemed to give me trouble, I'd ask for the ESA letter.
Here is what my email said:
"Ben,
Good morning! I hate to bother you during your busy season, but I wanted to follow up with you on a matter.
We had previously discussed me bringing my dog to live with me in my apartment. I just wanted to let you know that I will be bringing a different dog to live with me - he's 3 years old, housebroken, obedience trained (with his Canine Good Citizen title), and might become my ESA in the near future.
Of course, as agreed before, if he is noisy he will not remain. I don't foresee this being a problem though. I just wanted to make sure that you are aware of the situation.
Thank you for your time - I am looking forward to moving in on the 1st!"
Here is the response:
"Thank you for the heads up MaKenna. I appreciate it. "
So, short and sweet. But good news I think? I will be saving this email AND printing it out, though it's not super explicit...
Yeah, I wish it was more clear cut. Kicking myself now for not asking "Is that okay?" so he'd have to answer yes.
BUT...idk. Based off of his tone throughout the entire process, it seems to me like he's okay with it. And of course I will go to great lengths to make sure that my dog isn't a nuisance so no one has reason to complain.
I guess if he says something to me about it I can always go to my psych and ask about having an ESA. I may mention it at my appointment next Tuesday just to see what she says anyway.
I feel like I could just reply, "so are you okay with that?" but every time I imagine doing so, I think to myself, "yes, he's okay, he would have said something if he wasn't." Plus he's super busy this month since most of his places have August move in dates, and I don't want to seem like a nagging, annoying tenant.
Thanks, guys. I responded to him and he emailed back: "Yep!". So maybe he's just a man of few words, haha. I'm taking it as a good sign and am saving/printing the email just to be extra cautious.
