Finding an apartment with a snake

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Originally Posted by Neal

I'll probably get flak for this as I got some praise and flak for it last time this question was asked.

When you're looking for an apartment, talk to the people in person or install the app Call Recorder and record the conversation, to cover you for any issues.

Now before I go into my next statement, this is Virginia's law:

Virginia's wiretapping law is a "one-party consent" law. Virginia makes it a crime to intercept or record any "wire, oral, or electronic communication" unless one party to the conversation consents. Virginia Code § 19.2-62.

So, as long as you're involved in the conversation, you're the one party that's consented to recording the call, so you don't have to tell the other person on the phone or in person that you're recording.

Now back to my subject, talk to them, ask them if they allow pets or not, if they say yes, then that's all you need. If they ask what kind simply say something that would be in an aquarium like a turtle or something. If they say no, you can ask them if they would make an exception for something that would be kept in an aquarium or something. Make sure you tell them it's not fish because if they assume this they will say no because fish tanks leak, and that causes flooding or damage. This way later if they try to take you to court or anything then you are covered. I used to work in Law Enforcement and I can tell you from many times of being in court, if you don't have proof or proper documentation, it never happened.

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We have been asking about reptiles. Most places will explicitly say dogs and cats are okay, or cats and small dogs, so we have to ask specifically about other pets. I can definitely recording the calls.

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Originally Posted by Lirenn

We have been asking about reptiles. Most places will explicitly say dogs and cats are okay, or cats and small dogs, so we have to ask specifically about other pets. I can definitely recording the calls.

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Even if they say cats or dogs, it's just easier than listing which are allowed and not allowed, so I would still ask about others. I wouldn't even use the word reptile because in most peoples head a snake is the first thing that will pop up. So by saying a turtle or something that something leaves reasonable assumption that other things that go in an aquarium are allowed. This will mitigate you of any legal issues anyways, or if they tried to keep your deposit or anything like that. Hope I was able to help you though.

I keep call recorder on my phone and enable it for outgoing and incoming, the only exceptions I have are my family or my girlfriend. I've had somebody that owed me money and I never had any proof as they were a friend, so I lent them cash. I was able to get them recorded and won in small claims and they had to cover the court fees + pay me back. I know some people would say it's unethtical, but when you live in a world where most people only look out for themselves or don't care about other peoples situations, you have to look out for yourself. I call it covering my own behind.

Back to that one place you really liked but were rejected for having a snake...personally, I'd try to talk to the owner. See if they might reconsider if you
can show how responsible you are with what you're keeping etc. You might fail, but you never know unless you try. And can you provide them with a
good recommendation from a previous landlord that might tip the balance???

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Back to that one place you really liked but were rejected for having a snake...personally, I'd try to talk to the owner. See if they might reconsider if you
can show how responsible you are with what you're keeping etc. You might fail, but you never know unless you try. And can you provide them with a
good recommendation from a previous landlord that might tip the balance???

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I don't know if can get in touch with them personally, so far we have been dealing with property managers.

But apparently they don't want to have a snake there because the property is up for sale? I don't know what one has to do with the other, but there you are.

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So if the property is up for sale, that means they want to be able to show it & not scare anyone off, right? Unless you're using a heat lamp on top of
your cage (?), it's real easy to toss a towel/blanket over the cage, who's to even know? Most of the time, if you're renting, they can't just barge in any
time they want to show the place...they have to let you know, make an appointment. It's very easy to cover a cage, & NO buyer should be looking
thru your belongings...they are there to evaluate the property, not your stuff. I guess it still might repel some buyers who don't want to rent to anyone
with a reptile, but gee...:tears: I'd still ask again.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

So if the property is up for sale, that means they want to be able to show it & not scare anyone off, right? Unless you're using a heat lamp on top of
your cage (?), it's real easy to toss a towel/blanket over the cage, who's to even know? Most of the time, if you're renting, they can't just barge in any
time they want to show the place...they have to let you know, make an appointment. It's very easy to cover a cage, & NO buyer should be looking
thru your belongings...they are there to evaluate the property, not your stuff. I guess it still might repel some buyers who don't want to rent to anyone
with a reptile, but gee...:tears: I'd still ask again.

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My thoughts exactly, a bullcrap excuse. Right now if I need to cover her up just for a little while I just turn the heat lamp off and throw a sheet over her.

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It's just that sometimes, "polite persistence" pays off. Again, if you have references too, now's the time.

It's been many years since I've rented: the last time was a very nice townhouse where my dog was allowed. That's when the first snake came into my life.
I inquired as to whether or not they cared about me having an aquarium pet & they did not. I ended up with 2 snakes, a corn snake & a western longnose.

Fast forward, my landlord/owner visited...didn't like the snakes but had no legal way to object. After that, they sent an agent to see (& list) the place, & I had
covered the snakes cages out of respect for anyone's fear, rational or not: she asked to see them & loved it, lol.

I moved several hours drive away not long after that: my place had no damages whatsoever, but my jerk landlord tried to (illegally) keep my large "security"
deposit! Not wanting to have to come all the way back to deal with them in court or otherwise, I paid a visit to their office, and insisted they refund my money.
I went out on a limb (for me, lol) and told them that if they didn't cut me a check now, I was going to let some real "dirt-bags" move in & it would be MONTHS
before they'd get them out. Do you know, they cut me a check right then! :rofl:Later, the nicer of the 2 business partners told me that the reason they tried to
keep MY money was so they could recoup all they'd lost when another of their tenants did exactly what I'd threatened to do! :rofl: It wasn't my style do ever do
such a thing, but they didn't know that & sure didn't want to take that chance! Sometimes you just can't be too passive about things. Persistence pays off. It's
not easy to be a landlord...people DO trash places they don't own...but as a renter, know your rights. (also, if it says "security deposit", it cannot legally be used
for example, as a cleaning deposit...that's a separate thing) Renting is an education...good luck!

That's awesome.

We have actually found a place that is more expensive but significantly more amazing. So hopefully we can wrangle this one!

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I apologize in advance but the juvenile in me needs to respond....

When I initially saw the thread title, I chuckled and thought....Finding an apt is hard enough, trying to find one that comes with a snake must be impossible. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by BR8080

I apologize in advance but the juvenile in me needs to respond....

When I initially saw the thread title, I chuckled and thought....Finding an apt is hard enough, trying to find one that comes with a snake must be impossible. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

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Haha, that's what my husband said.

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