What to do?

[BuckeyeBalls]

Ok so around Tuesday last week we got a letter (everyone did) saying a maintenance man would be in the apartment to check for "water leaks"

Well when i get home Friday i come to find a letter stating that I am to pay $300 for the keeping of "pets" well I call up and play dumb and ask what pets am i keeping. She informs me I need to pay $300 for the keeping of pets or else its breaking the lease. So i told her I do not keep any pets. Mind you i'm playing dumb because in my head i'm thinking why was a maintenance man upstairs in my room in my CLOSET looking for leaks? Better yet if i keep them in a rack how did he know it was an animal?

So she proceeds to tell me that the keeping of "SNAKES" falls under the "pets" category.

Now heres my question. Why was a maintenance man in my room, in my closet, and how in the world did he see a snake through a tub?

My guess is he pulled out the tub and seen a snake.

So should I pay the $300 or have they broken a law here and i should not have to pay the $300?

[JLC]

You ARE in violation of the lease if you have pets and have not paid a pet deposit as they require. I would pay the $300 and be glad they aren't saying something like, "NO SNAKES ALLOWED" and forcing you to choose between getting rid of the snakes or being evicted.

The violation of privacy is an entirely different issue and I'm honestly not sure how to pursue that. Maybe you can pay the $300 deposit...then demand a $300 compensation for the violation of privacy? It certainly seems like SOMEone was poking their nose where it had no business being. Maybe he went through your underwear drawer and read your private journal, too? Creepy...and worthy of a serious complaint. But I don't think you'd have a leg to stand on if you try to mix the two issues into one.

[BuckeyeBalls]

You ARE in violation of the lease if you have pets and have not paid a pet deposit as they require. I would pay the $300 and be glad they aren't saying something like, "NO SNAKES ALLOWED" and forcing you to choose between getting rid of the snakes or being evicted.

The violation of privacy is an entirely different issue and I'm honestly not sure how to pursue that. Maybe you can pay the $300 deposit...then demand a $300 compensation for the violation of privacy? It certainly seems like SOMEone was poking their nose where it had no business being. Maybe he went through your underwear drawer and read your private journal, too? Creepy...and worthy of a serious complaint. But I don't think you'd have a leg to stand on if you try to mix the two issues into one.

Thats exactly my point. Who knows what else they were into. Now i wasn't trying to get out of the $300. I didn't think snakes would be covered under "pets" cuz it states "cats and dogs" not reptiles.

But my point is they were going through my stuff. What if he had left the tub open? I come home and my snake is gone? Then what? What if it bit him?

I don't know how to approach telling her the fact they broke the law and i'm not to happy about it. Because i'm at the point where I will tell everyone in the surrounding apartments the fact that theres a rouge maintenance man going through peoples stuff during "watch leak checks"

[JLC]

Thats exactly my point. Who knows what else they were into. Now i wasn't trying to get out of the $300. I didn't think snakes would be covered under "pets" cuz it states "cats and dogs" not reptiles.

But my point is they were going through my stuff. What if he had left the tub open? I come home and my snake is gone? Then what? What if it bit him?

I don't know how to approach telling her the fact they broke the law and i'm not to happy about it. Because i'm at the point where I will tell everyone in the surrounding apartments the fact that theres a rouge maintenance man going through peoples stuff during "watch leak checks"

Here's what I would do in your shoes....

I'd go the manager (not just the receptionist or assistant behind the front desk, but make an appt with whoever is in charge of the whole complex) and tell him/her that you were unaware that "small animals" kept in escape-proof enclosures were considered the same as "cats and dogs" as stated in the lease you signed. If, indeed, a pet deposit is required...and those keeping hamsters and parakeets and goldfish also pay the same deposit...then you are fully willing to cooperate.

Then I'd say, "Now that that issue is settled, I have something much more serious to discuss with you." And, being as reasonable as possible, without letting your anger get in the way of good business sense...explain that you have definitive proof that the maintenance man is snooping into people's private property. You wish both compensation for the violation of your rights, (something reasonable...say...$300 ) as well as his/her assurance that this person will be dealt with accordingly so the matter never happens again. Do NOT make threats at this time about going public or bringing in lawyers or anything like that. Don't put them on the defensive or back them into a corner. Give them a chance to make it right first. IF they balk and refuse or blow you off....then bring out the promises of unpleasant publicity and/or lawyers.

Good luck with it!!

[BuckeyeBalls]

Thanks for the advise!

And here is my big issue with paying $300 to keep the snakes.

Its a "deposit" to keep a "pet" my snakes are not gonna pee on the carpet and ruin it so it needs replaced. They will not cause damage to the apartment so it needs repairs. But we all know the likelihood of me getting the deposit back even if no damage was done as a result of my snakes is not reasonable.

I will take ur advise and try to approach them in that manner it just really upsets me because what if he didnt close that tub and my Bee or something got out. I't would be very upsetting. And also the fact it puts me on edge as to what else they have went through and looked at.

[Vypyrz]

Thanks for the advise!

And here is my big issue with paying $300 to keep the snakes.

Its a "deposit" to keep a "pet" my snakes are not gonna pee on the carpet and ruin it so it needs replaced. They will not cause damage to the apartment so it needs repairs. But we all know the likelihood of me getting the deposit back even if no damage was done as a result of my snakes is not reasonable.

I would say just pay the deposit and when/if you move out, then address getting the deposit back due to lack of carpet damage. Raising a stink about reptiles, rodents and fish not being mentioned in the lease may cause changes in the lease agreements to where they are mentioned, as in not allowed...

[Vypyrz]

It's possible that the maintenance man was doing a structural intergrity check, meaning, not only would they be checking for leaky faucets and toilets, but they would also be checking the ceilings and walls for any evidence of rain water and internal plumbing leaking in and soaking down into the drywall...

[llovelace]

I live in a condo, have been here a little over a year, I recieved a letter from my association about 4 months, stating that during one of their routine inspections, it was noted that I had several large snakes. and their hoa policy states no pets.

My snake room is locked (deadbolt) at all times, and I know for a fact that they had not been in my condo, I tossed the letter.

The difference with you is that you lease, they can & will make your life miserable, pay the $300. If you have concerns about snoopers, just buy a motion activated camera less than $100 on ebay (disguised as woking alarm clock) set it up in your bedroom to catch snoopers in the act, then go from there.

[steveboos]

Well it's actually really easy to tell it there's animals in a tub if they are near the front. It does seem as if he violated your privacy by going into your closet, so i would take that up with the landlord.

Also if snakes are considered pets, then ask if everyone that owns small pets like hamsters and fish are also charged this deposit. That would be what i really would be worried about is that they are discriminating against you because of the reptiles you own.

[BuckeyeBalls]

Yea im looking over the terms now. It says if you posses "small dogs or cats" a $300 deposit is required.

So i dont see why a deposit would be required for a snake as it will not damage the apartment in anyway that it needs repaired. Which is exactly what the $300 covers.

I called and uhhh... Hes supposed to be "calling me back" The lady at the desk said when he is in she will have him give me a call cuz he was unfortunately "out for lunch"

It's possible that the maintenance man was doing a structural intergrity check, meaning, not only would they be checking for leaky faucets and toilets, but they would also be checking the ceilings and walls for any evidence of rain water and internal plumbing leaking in and soaking down into the drywall...

Thats a very good point.

But STILL i look into my tubs from the front i cannot clearly see a snake as the end of the tubs are opaque and cant see clearly in them.