Warning for those who rent

Even if your landlord knows and has no problem with your reptiles, make sure they are written into the lease.
I have a neighbor who just moved in and is terrified of snakes. Landlord didn't tell her I had snakes- really thought is was no big deal. Turns out she is one of those overly paranoid types who is "afraid to sleep in her bed b/c she thinks they are going to get out of the cage/room and crawl through the pipes and into her bed."
Today she tells me that she made some "phone calls" to the zoo and other places (I gather the humane society). No big deal as I am not doing anything wrong or illegal. However now landlord doesn't want the snakes here since they are "causing problems" and they need to go.
Ummmm no, I am not getting rid of my snakes! :taz: All b/c of someones irrational fear who won't even listen to a word I say. I have been nice, I have been polite, I have tried to educate her, I have tried to reassure her. All to no avail, she won't even come look at how secure everything is. Now I am having to send my snakes to live with my ex-mother in law (who is an awesome person and I love her to death!) while I wait for the place I was thinking of buying is available for us to move into- in 4 months!

This is the fear we are facing with HR669 :tears:

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Originally Posted by catawhat75

Even if your landlord knows and has no problem with your reptiles, make sure they are written into the lease.
I have a neighbor who just moved in and is terrified of snakes. Landlord didn't tell her I had snakes- really thought is was no big deal. Turns out she is one of those overly paranoid types who is "afraid to sleep in her bed b/c she thinks they are going to get out of the cage/room and crawl through the pipes and into her bed."
Today she tells me that she made some "phone calls" to the zoo and other places (I gather the humane society). No big deal as I am not doing anything wrong or illegal. However now landlord doesn't want the snakes here since they are "causing problems" and they need to go.
Ummmm no, I am not getting rid of my snakes! :taz: All b/c of someones irrational fear who won't even listen to a word I say. I have been nice, I have been polite, I have tried to educate her, I have tried to reassure her. All to no avail, she won't even come look at how secure everything is. Now I am having to send my snakes to live with my ex-mother in law (who is an awesome person and I love her to death!) while I wait for the place I was thinking of buying is available for us to move into- in 4 months!

This is the fear we are facing with HR669 :tears:

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Thats bullcrap :mad:.Tell the idiot next door to move your snakes were there first :P.I wonder what the zoo to this idiot :rolleyes:

That sucks. Stupid people. If only two wrongs made a right, I would tell her, "oh I'm sorry. One of my snakes got out last night. Can you keep an eye out for me? Thanks!!" But I know it's not the answer. It would still be funny. They shouldn't be able to make you get rid of your pets unless it specifically says in the lease that you can't have them. Good Luck!!

Ya see, its people like that who CHOOSE to be ignorant. Unless she has been medically diagnosed with snake phobia (which one would that be?) I can't find a single reason she could have to throw that big of a fit. Even still, whats in your apartment is your business and she shouldn't worry about it.

If I am not mistaken, one of the attorneys in my office (unfortunately he left the firm a couple of months ago) told me that if the lease accepts pets (& does not specify which ones are not accepted), they have to accept anything you have (as long as it is no illegal, etc.).

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Originally Posted by greenex

Unless she has been medically diagnosed with snake phobia (which one would that be?)

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Ophidiophobia.

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Originally Posted by MuzeBallPythons

If I am not mistaken, one of the attorneys in my office (unfortunately he left the firm a couple of months ago) told me that if the lease accepts pets (& does not specify which ones are not accepted), they have to accept anything you have (as long as it is no illegal, etc.).

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You can absolutely fight this, but if you have a solution where you don't have to piss off the landlord, then that might be the best option.

A landlord who doesn't like you can really give you trouble, even if you are doing nothing other than asserting your rights.

that really sux! but look on the bright side, and you do have one, at least you do have someone who is willing to let ya keep them there! I dont have any1 who would be willing to do that for me! Count your blessings & focus on moving :)

and ty for the warning, I never thought of this type of situation. granted my mother is my neighbor but if she ever moves (doubt it tho) mums the word w/ the new neighbors!

GL to you!

I would be like look, I don't give a crap if your scared of snakes or not, get over it. I'd put everything I have on nobody would pull that crap on me, and if they did, they would definately have a mind changing experience, or they would move out. I love have 2 older sisters for that, unless its a guy, then thats my issue. lol

Anyways man that sucks, I would try to talk to the landlord see if ya'll can work something out.

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Originally Posted by greenex

Ya see, its people like that who CHOOSE to be ignorant. Unless she has been medically diagnosed with snake phobia (which one would that be?) I can't find a single reason she could have to throw that big of a fit. Even still, whats in your apartment is your business and she shouldn't worry about it.

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as much as i understand your frustrations and share your love of snakes, you should try to understand that for some its not a choice, the fear of snakes to some is a very real phobia. Sad but true.,

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Originally Posted by filly77

as much as i understand your frustrations and share your love of snakes, you should try to understand that for some its not a choice, the fear of snakes to some is a very real phobia. Sad but true.,

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We understand that, but it's not like they are living in the same house, its 2 totally different houses, if a snake can get in her house from his house, then a snake outside(wild snakes) can also get in, so what's the difference. It's stupidity that makes a big deal out of something so small. I just don't really have the tolerance for stuff like that.

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

You can absolutely fight this, but if you have a solution where you don't have to piss off the landlord, then that might be the best option.

A landlord who doesn't like you can really give you trouble, even if you are doing nothing other than asserting your rights.

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This is definitely true.

If the contract says they allow pets and don't state what those pets are then legally your landlord can't make you leave or move the animals. He can make you leave when your lease is up but not before. If he says you have to leave you can say to him "make me".

if she doesnt feel safe there she shouldnt move there... its not complicated

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Originally Posted by hud556

if she doesnt feel safe there she shouldnt move there... its not complicated

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Sometimes people sign leases before realizing who they're living next to.

Let a few feeders crawl under her door.She'll forget all about snakes.

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

You can absolutely fight this, but if you have a solution where you don't have to piss off the landlord, then that might be the best option.

A landlord who doesn't like you can really give you trouble, even if you are doing nothing other than asserting your rights.

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Agreed.

Tell them you suddenly became afraid of morons. Maybe they neighbor will be forced out.

There are so many things I would like to do but none of it constructive.

The best solution sadly is to send them where I plan to for a couple months and at least in the new place, they will be written into the lease (It is a lease/purchase). Where I am at now, I have lived for almost 5 years. However, the lease I signed had written in the 2 dogs and 3 cats. The landlord knows about the others and had no issues with them. When the lease was up, the option was to sign a new one or go month to month with the same terms so we never wrote the other animals in, we just went month to month as we knew we were going to buy at some point in the future. It just seemed to be better for everyone not to get locked into the longer term lease.
The issue only came up b/c the neighbor is making such a fuss. If she would at least talk to me maybe then I would feel better about this whole mess. However making phone calls behind my back without any attempt on her part to speak to me really gets me mad!

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Originally Posted by catawhat75

If she would at least talk to me maybe then I would feel better about this whole mess. However making phone calls behind my back without any attempt on her part to speak to me really gets me mad!

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Welcome to the world of "Me" which does not include "You".

I feel for you, but I think you are right about the best solution to be to house your snakes elsewhere for a while until you move. Even if the snakes were written in the lease, your landlord and/or neighbor could make life unpleasant for you if they decide to.

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Originally Posted by catawhat75

If she would at least talk to me maybe then I would feel better about this whole mess. However making phone calls behind my back without any attempt on her part to speak to me really gets me mad!

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I recently had it pointed out to me why some people do this, and at least in some situations it makes sense. It is a scary thing in today's world to confront a stranger about anything. You never know how they are going to react. Considering how much your new neighbor apparently fears or dislikes snakes, she probably thinks the fact that you keep them is proof that you are insane, or a devil worshipper, or who knows what. While I still don't think she took the best course of action, looking at it in this way at least makes it understandable why she would make that choice to go behind your back.

Can't you just tell her they are gone and then that is that? I mean it isn't like she's going to come inspect your place or anything. Just don't take them out of the apt.

You may very well have legal grounds against the tenant and your landlord if he isn't willing to stand up for you. It would be one thing to have you being the one moving in with your neighbor already living there. But, with you being there first, you should have some rights.
A concrete case could be made that your landlord didn't have an issue until Broom Hilda moved in and started trouble. I would stand my ground and let both your neighbor and your landlord know that YOU have rights as well. On the flipside of the lease not mentioning reptiles, it also doesn't say you CAN'T have reptiles. That plays into your favor, along with the fact you've been living there up to this point and your landlord knew you had these pets.
Stand you ground and tell your neighbor to get bent! :colbert:

That so would NOT fly in CA.

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Originally Posted by filly77

as much as i understand your frustrations and share your love of snakes, you should try to understand that for some its not a choice, the fear of snakes to some is a very real phobia. Sad but true.,

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I understand the phobia and i totally sympathize with that. I'm absolutely terrified of spiders. In fact, i was outside the other day and saw one on me. My mom had to flick it off cuz i just froze :oops:

What really frustrates me is the ones who don't even want to hear about it and have little reasoning. Not just about snakes, but other stuff too.

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Originally Posted by greenex

I understand the phobia and i totally sympathize with that. I'm absolutely terrified of spiders. In fact, i was outside the other day and saw one on me. My mom had to flick it off cuz i just froze :oops:

What really frustrates me is the ones who don't even want to hear about it and have little reasoning. Not just about snakes, but other stuff too.

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totally understood :)

and omg spiders.. lets not even mention them lol

Get a few toy snakes and put them around her yard and doorstep.:D

Being you have been there for longer you should not have to give up your rights to have the snakes at your residence.

Well the neighbor came over to the door today and said they can stay (ugh, I really hate that she has that kind of power!) since we are moving in a few months. As long as I can promise her none will get loose and into her place :P
Soooo, snakes stay put!!! Can't wait to move though, she is not the most pleasant person.

that's really good to hear!

Glad it all worked out.