Can I be evicted if my landlord feels that I am in violation oftheir pet policy?

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Can I be evicted if my landlord feels that I am in violation oftheir pet policy?

My lease states that tenant shall not have more than 2 dogs, cats or birds and tenant shall pay a non-refundable deposit of $300 for carpet cleaning. I just brought home another puppy so I have a total of 2 dogs which my lease states is the max but my landlord wants more money for the 2nd dog. Can she make me pay on top of the $300? I have already paid for the 1st puppy.

Asked on January 27, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Minnesota

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

A lease is a contract. A contract binds both parties. Neither side--tenant nor landlord--can unileratally change the terms or ask for more  money. If you lease allows you to have 2 pets and you have two pets, the landlord cannot charge you more for the second pet. You should double check the language of the lease, however, to make sure though that the deposit is not $300 per pet. Not also that when the lease is renewed, the landlord may change the terms or ask for more money, and if you don't agree or want to pay, at that point, your recourse would be to not renew and to instead move out.


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