Renting housing and keeping reptiles

I haven't visited BP.net much lately because life took hold and I've never been a well known person here, so many of you don't know me. But some of you probably can relate to me.

I've lived in California all of my life, and while we are a pretty liberal state, it seems to be among the most pet-unfriendly states in the USA. I've encountered tons of discrimination because of my pets - namely the cats. Most places in the Bay Area won't rent to pet owners. And now that I've grown my collection to about 16 snakes, I'm facing further discrimination. This sucks!

The snakes are small boas, pythons and colubrids. I could in theory sneak them in since they don't affect anyone living near by. However, I'm not willing to risk my housing situation unless it boils down to it. I have given notice to my landlord so I do have to move.

And if anyone knows any rentals in the Bay Area of California that will allow my 2 cats, a foster cockatiel, and my 16+/- snakes, please let me know! I am an awesome tenant and someone will appreciate that!

Anyone else face this discrimination? Vent, share or sympathize if you will.

Edit: In case any moderators have time, feel free to insert another poll option: No - because I usually don't tell them I have my pets!

I haven't quite had this problem yet but I am graduating soon and have a job and I've started to look for an apartment and I am having a hard time finding a place that is halfway decent that will allow me to have my pets. I have 5 snakes now and I would like to get a dog eventually but as its looking now, I will have to wait until I can afford my own house... a lot of places don't even like my 10 gallon tank with a few goldfish :rolleyes:
I am in PA though so I don't know of anywhere in Cali

I live in Oregon and in my apartments we are not allowed to have any pets what sooo ever but there is no manager here and the only time they come here is if you don't pay rent or you call them to fix something so I'm usually prepared to know they are coming. I now have to Ball Pythons in a 150 gallon tank sitting on my bar soo i'm thinking it might be a little harder to hide these guys.

Usually i disclose my animals. My landlord now lives in the house so he absolutely knows about the collection and the cats. (He now likes them and has no problem with what i bring into the house as long as it is legal in MD and stays in my area as not all my room mates like snakes).

Granted, after putting my animals on the lease he tried to make me get rid of them for some VERY stupid reasons. After a few chats with him about what he was asking, the logic of it and the LEGALITY of it (law was on my side because HE approved the lease WITH the animals listed by species) he stopped all of that.

Next time I move? I'll probably just be asking about "small harmless reptiles, like geckos" because geckos make up the majority of my collection. People hear gecko and they think the Geico gecko, and they like that. People hear "snake" and they think of baby eating monsters. I don't invite people in to see my animals (unless they are close friends). No one goes outside unless its in a covered box to the vet.

I got all my snakes after I moved in, so I haven't had to deal with any lease issues. The apartment managers never come by, and even if they did they would only see my geckos, not the snakes. I have them well hidden. When we move next we'll probly be looking for somewhere that does allow pets, because I want a dog, lol.

I live in Lodi and we have 3 reptile shops here. I'd say it's a reptile friendly community, or at least more so than others. I haven't had too much discrimination.

Edit: I wouldn't move out to the Bay Area though. One, it's too expensive, lol. And two, the whole area isn't very pet friendly. Unless you have a dog and you're in San Fransisco.

I haven't had too many problems. Usually after talking about stuff like my job, my dog, etc, I'll disclose that I also keep exotic snakes. I show them a picture of my current setup so that they can see I keep them very clean, organized, and professional looking. I explain that I keep them as a hobby and am interested in biological research as well as breed them which produces additional income. Most landlords can see that I am very responsible with them and take them very serious past just having a bunch of pets. A lot of times they are very curious about them and ask lots of questions.

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Originally Posted by anthonym

I haven't had too many problems. Usually after talking about stuff like my job, my dog, etc, I'll disclose that I also keep exotic snakes. I show them a picture of my current setup so that they can see I keep them very clean, organized, and professional looking. I explain that I keep them as a hobby and am interested in biological research as well as breed them which produces additional income. Most landlords can see that I am very responsible with them and take them very serious past just having a bunch of pets. A lot of times they are very curious about them and ask lots of questions.

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Have they been guys, Anthony? I think male landlords might freak out less (on the outside).

My current landlord just doesn't care... that or he doesn't know. He's been over since I've gotten my herp collection, but has never asked about the rack and snake supplies in the bedroom, or the "QT room" that has a list of rules on the door in big red letters. But next year I have to move to Maine for school and being 21 by that time means I don't have to dorm. I waited to go to school until my 21st so that I could keep my animals as most dorms won't even let you have a betta fish or sea monkeys. I'll be hunting for an appt and a roomie soon, so hopefully it's not too much of a pain trying to find a place that allows my handful of snakes and fishies.

Good luck finding a place that will let you keep your collection. Hopefully it's not too much of a struggle :)

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Originally Posted by MissLeMew

My current landlord just doesn't care... that or he doesn't know. He's been over since I've gotten my herp collection, but has never asked about the rack and snake supplies in the bedroom, or the "QT room" that has a list of rules on the door in big red letters. But next year I have to move to Maine for school and being 21 by that time means I don't have to dorm. I waited to go to school until my 21st so that I could keep my animals as most dorms won't even let you have a betta fish or sea monkeys. I'll be hunting for an appt and a roomie soon, so hopefully it's not too much of a pain trying to find a place that allows my handful of snakes and fishies.

Good luck finding a place that will let you keep your collection. Hopefully it's not too much of a struggle :)

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You are so kind to care, thanks MissLeMew. I saw two aces Saturday. The first one was part of a large luxury apartment community. Their pet policy specifically states no snakes. No go on that one as I won't risk what I just went through.

Second place was a cottage. Got lucky! The owner of the cottage is okay with my critters. I'll be going over after work to sign the rental agreement. It helped having great credit. I hope you have an equally lucky experience. :)

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Originally Posted by CA cowgirl

You are so kind to care, thanks MissLeMew. I saw two aces Saturday. The first one was part of a large luxury apartment community. Their pet policy specifically states no snakes. No go on that one as I won't risk what I just went through.

Second place was a cottage. Got lucky! The owner of the cottage is okay with my critters. I'll be going over after work to sign the rental agreement. It helped having great credit. I hope you have an equally lucky experience. :)

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Awesome! I'm glad you had some good luck, moving can be a huge pain in the rear sometimes. Hope you and your critters settle in well, and congrats on the cottage! Very lucky indeed :)

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Originally Posted by CA cowgirl

You are so kind to care, thanks MissLeMew. I saw two aces Saturday.

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Aces = places / rentals

When I rented in Quebec my landlord knew I had snakes however when I got my large RTB he lost it for whatever reason. He did everything to make me want to move out, he was good at being obnoxious, and I eventually did leave. I've been working on renovations to a large room in my parents home now where I keep them until my fiancee and myself purchase a home of our own. Renting and animal owning is too much hassle.

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Originally Posted by Elise.m

Edit: I wouldn't move out to the Bay Area though. One, it's too expensive, lol. And two, the whole area isn't very pet friendly. Unless you have a dog and you're in San Fransisco.

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Are you kidding? San Francisco might PRETEND to be dog-friendly, but I've never had more trouble finding a dog-friendly place as I did there! I lived in SF for over four years, in two different places, and they were literally the only ones that would take my 40lb pooch... without spending like $4000/mo, that is. :rolleyes: I have also lived in other Peninsula towns, and usually have extremely limited options with the pets.

Bay Area landlords are notoriously stringent about pets, which is why I believe in the mantra "less history, more mystery." I only mention the dog, maybe one or two of the (three) cats, and the snakes are on a need-to-know basis. Most places don't have specific policies on caged pets, so why bring them up anyway? I also try to live in larger complexes, or houses where the landlord doesn't live on site... and if they HAVE to come in, I do my best to keep everything under wraps. My previous landlord came over to fix something, and I forgot about the one snake living in that particular room - luckily all he said was "nice snake, I used to have one just like it." Whew!

I currently live in the South Bay, in a very large complex that is rather pet-friendly... I only put the dog on my lease, though, since they charge $60 per pet per month. I had mentioned the cats while touring the place, but quickly said "what cats??" when she mentioned the pet rent. :P The manager knew that was a crock, I'm sure, but I guess she figured $60 for the dog was enough (especially considering the rent is rather expensive).