|
 |
|
Puppy increase Property Insurance?
by Jasmime (NY)
on October 19, 2014 @19:47
|
|
My husband and I have been living at our current residency for a few years. We wanted to get a puppy so we asked our landlord (we will only be living here for 8 more months), landlord said they would be OK with it but it would increase their property insurance. Is that true? We have our own renters insurance? Is there anyway we can get our puppy?
|
|
[
Reply
]
[
Return to forum
]
|
|
Re: Puppy increase Property Insurance?
by Anonymous
on October 19, 2014 @20:59
|
[ Reply ]
|
|
|
|
The landlord will incur additional liability in case the dog bites someone and that person sues him. I cannot answer for all insurance companies but most of them have a major problem with aggressive breed dogs which the Shih Tzu is not. However, I charge a non-refundable pet fee to cover the extra risk I take and the extra load placed on a residence because of the pet. This is not to cover damages. It does not matter if the pet is there for 30 days or 12 months, the pet fee is due at the time the pet takes up residence.
|
|
Re: Puppy increase Property Insurance?
by Anonymous
on October 19, 2014 @21:26
|
[ Reply ]
|
|
|
Be prepared for a nonrefundable pet fee, as well as an increase in the rent.
Or the landlord may charge you the difference in the property insurance.
|
|
Re: Puppy increase Property Insurance?
by Bill
on October 19, 2014 @21:44
|
[ Reply ]
|
|
|
If you have a lease that does not expressly prohibit pets the landlord can not extort more money from you for having a pet. For the length of your lease, the terms can not be changed.
However, it is quite common for landlords to pick the pockets of the tenants for "nonrefundable pet deposits," pet rent and the like. Any pet damages are always taken from the tenant deposit and the money extorted by pet fees of different kinds is always pocketed.
When you pin the landlords down on the issue they will all admit they collect the pet money simply because they can. This is what your current landlord is doing.
|
|
Re: Puppy increase Property Insurance?
by B
on October 19, 2014 @22:28
|
[ Reply ]
|
|
|
Insurance companies can stipulate terms based on pets. Most won't raise rent simply because you get a cat/dog. But the insurance company I go through charges me more because I own a pit bull and a doberman, which are classified as aggressive breeds.
Local laws can place liability on a LL that rents to someone that also has an aggressive breed, which could raise his liability.
Saying all this, you don't mention what breed of dog you are getting, I didn't read every other post so you may have mentioned it there, but if it's not a "bully" breed I would say that your LL is looking for a way to collect more money from you.
Pet deposits and extra pet rent is industry standard, at least in my area. Not every place in the US charges pet rent or pet deposits but it's common. I usually agree with Bill (posted above) but cats/dogs are naturally destructive. The LL takes a risk that you are going to be a responsible pet owner, many people are not. Extra pet rent is necessary to cover this risk. Your dog could be great and never cause an ounce of damage, but it will cause additional wear and tear and the LL deserves to be compensated for this wear and tear.
I don't agree with your LL possibly lying to you to get the money. But extra pet rent is not that unreasonable. I paid it when I was a renter and I require it from my renters as well now.
If you don't agree to the terms just wait to get your dog when you can find a new place. But challenging your LL is only going to make things worse.
|
|
Re: Puppy increase Property Insurance?
by Anonymous
on October 20, 2014 @12:15
|
[ Reply ]
|
|
|
|
Please wait until you own your own home to bring in a puppy. Yes, insurance costs may increase for the landlord based on the addition potential liabilities represented by a pet on the premises -- the LL may have to obtain an umbrella policy or increase his liability coverage to cover the added risk of dog bite, however unlikely you think it may be (no one ever thinks their sweet pup will bite, but I've seen many, many dogs do so over the years). And he may just be unwilling to say "no" for its own sake. I don't allow puppies under 1 year unless the owner is willing to put up an additional deposit equal to the cost of replacing the flooring in the rental. Because you all say it won't pee inside or defecate on the carpet, but it's never true unless you're treating the pet like a lawn orniment.
|
|
|
Look-up
Associations
Attorneys
Businesses
Rentals Available
Rentals Wanted
Realty Brokers
Landlord Articles
Tips & Advice
Tenant Histories
Other Areas
Q&A Forum
Free Forms
Essential Forms
Landlord Tenant Law
Join Now
Credit Reports
About Us
Site Help
|
