So I REALLY want a Bp... there's just a couple problems...

So I'm 16 and I live with my mom. lol. Sorry that just sounded funny. Anyway. I already have a corn snake, 2 cats and a couple mice (guess why), and technically we're paying an extra 25 bucks a month for 1 cat. So you see my problem. Would it be a bad idea to persuade my mom into letting me get a bp? Housing and whatnot is not a problem, I just don't know what my mom would think, and I'm not sure how much of a bad idea sneaking in another animal is..

Should I try anyway?

If so, how should I approach the issue?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Well i got my first ball python when i turned 16. I got him from a guy on craigslist that didn't want him so i gave him 30 bucks for her. What i did was get the snake and tell her when i got it lol. She didn't mind as much as i thought she would and she doesn't like them.. so if your mom knows u have a corn.. just go for the bp. the worst she can say is no.

First of all I'd say respect your moms wishes as weak as it may sound she both needs and deserves to have her rules respected. Sneaking it in is going to get a far worse reaction than asking her ever would.

Second even if she says no just remember, it only means you'll have to wait till your out on your own to get one. I'm sure they'll still be around by then so no rush.

Well I didn't mean sneaking it behind my moms back. I meant sneaking it into the house because I don't wanna pay another 25 bucks a month for a snake.

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Originally Posted by Jimmythetiger

Well I didn't mean sneaking it behind my moms back. I meant sneaking it into the house because I don't wanna pay another 25 bucks a month for a snake.

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I am dieing to ask, why would having another animal cause you to pay 25.00 a month, and who would you pay it to?

In my lease, we have to pay 25 bucks a month extra per pet. We only claimed that we had one cat. So we pay the land lord.

Sorry I guess I didn't explain very well. We're renting a house lol.

Here's the rub. If your landlord finds out you could be fined or evicted. Any time you violate the terms of a lease you run the risk of coming out on the short end of the stick.

You're already 16, why not wait a couple more years until you're in a place of your own? Thats what I had to do....my parents would not of approved of snakes in the house. If you wait a little bit, you might be more financially secure in the future and more likely to get a morph you like.

...and my bp is probably as much fun to watch as a pet rock :P

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Originally Posted by tonkatoyman

I am dieing to ask, why would having another animal cause you to pay 25.00 a month, and who would you pay it to?

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Some landlords charge extra if you want to have a pet in the house. Most of them require a pet deposit in case there is any damage to the property caused by the animal (chewing/clawing on door frames, urine on the carpet, etc). The $25/month extra in rent is a bit over the top, but not unheard of. Most landlords with a pet fee won't make a fuss over a reptile or a fish, something that generally stays in its habitat and doesn't pose a cosmetic risk to the home. After I left my husband I looked around for apartments that would allow me to keep at least a couple of my previous collection, and ran into several that had pet fees for cats and dogs. One was a real PITA because the landlord didn't allow reptiles in the building at all because "they scare people" and she didn't want to have to deal with the drama caused by people being upset over what lived in MY apartment that they'd never set foot in.

To the OP, just talk to your mom. If she says no, oh well, you'll be an adult in two years and you can get a snake then, granted that you've moved out by that time. :gj:

I really don't think you should sneak the snake into the house. If the landlord finds out that you are housing animals that are not paid for, he/she can claim you have breached your lease and kick you out and keep your security deposit. Sneaking the animal into the house could have consequences that you haven't thought of.
You should wait till you are out on your own to get one if you can't stand to pay the pet fee. And if by then you don't really have any desire to get a BP, then you've saved yourself some hastle and quite a bit of money.

Psh, in two years I hope I can get outta here! If I want snakes though, I would have to break some more rules and not stay in a dorm the first year at college. Or stay at home.. which leaves me stuck with the original situation lol.

I don't know if you are into this idea but college fraternities often allow pets. Maybe you could look into that when the time comes.

I agree, don't break your lease. The consequences outweigh the benefits.

You could talk to the landlord about it and see what he/she might say. They might let you slide if it is a reptile kept in a secure location. My landlord was very understanding even though we have a "no pets" policy. She was perfectly fine with us having reptiles.

I would ask the landlord, when they ask for deposits or extra rent in your case, it is for possible messes caused by these animals i.e dogs & cats. I'd run it by him first, that's the responsible thing to do. Good luck :)

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Originally Posted by Jimmythetiger

Psh, in two years I hope I can get outta here! If I want snakes though, I would have to break some more rules and not stay in a dorm the first year at college. Or stay at home.. which leaves me stuck with the original situation lol.

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Man, I'm glad my school lets us have anything but mammals as long as they're in less than a 40 gallon tank.

My advice is similar to everyone else's. Wait it out. You don't want to to against the lease and lose your mom's trust.

I live in an apartment at the moment and i have 4 snakes. If you have a rack system its easy to hide, tanks... not so much. I also have a cat that the landlord doesnt know about. He wants 500 upfront and $50 a month...

in my opinion just ask your landlord what his policy is on tanks and what not. Normally they allow animals that are kept in tanks, the main thing they're worried about is cats/dogs making stains on the carpet or leaving behind an odor. Also mention that since you'll be keeping a snake, he wouldn't have to worry about the tank breaking and causing water damage.

Lol I've already got a contraband corn snake.

I don't advocate breaking the lease rules any further than you already have. You may be getting away with it now, but if push comes to shove, you can be evicted and then you have more worries than whether you can have a ball python.

Does your landlord know that you already have a snake?

you need to call him and say that i want a snake i dont have a snake but i am thinking about getting one then take if from thier and esplain that they dont chew up stuff lol :P i love how you dont have to constantly watch hatchlings like you have to watch puppies

My parents said, "no snakes in the house." A few days later I arrived home with Leviticus. He is an awesome snake and now my mom pets him if I am holding him, my sister always wants to hold him as well.

People always despise snakes, then they come into contact with one and are like, "oh, this is not that bad." So the idea to wait until you move out on your own is rediculous. That's like waiting to move out so you can grow weed in your closet. Simply rediculous, get a tupperware tub and put him under your bed, lets be real now.

I don't think its a matter of his mom not approving, rather it is a matter of breaking his lease.

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Originally Posted by jblaze

My parents said, "no snakes in the house." A few days later I arrived home with Leviticus. He is an awesome snake and now my mom pets him if I am holding him, my sister always wants to hold him as well.

People always despise snakes, then they come into contact with one and are like, "oh, this is not that bad." So the idea to wait until you move out on your own is rediculous. That's like waiting to move out so you can grow weed in your closet. Simply rediculous, get a tupperware tub and put him under your bed, lets be real now.

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Right, because owning a snake is the same as growing weed in your closet...
Ok, let's be real. Regardless of his mother's reaction to a new bp, he can still get thrown out of his house for it.

Woah, reality check.

one of the problems i have encountered with apts and snakes is how the neighbors feel, most dont like them which means they say no you cant have them.
On the bright side, its not hard to hide a snake, all you gotta do it take everything outta the tank and put it in a closet or somewhere to make it look like you just have a tank, for previous fish or something like that. no big deal

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Originally Posted by Jimmythetiger

Psh, in two years I hope I can get outta here! If I want snakes though, I would have to break some more rules and not stay in a dorm the first year at college. Or stay at home.. which leaves me stuck with the original situation lol.

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If you aren't sure if you can even keep snakes in 2 years when you go to college why in the world would you consider getting another one now? Ball pythons like a lot of snakes live a long time and are a major committment of years.

As well the lease is in your mom's name. If you do something that breaks the terms of that lease your mother could have an evict notice on her record. Having an evict notice like that can make it extremely difficult to get another rental. I doubt any parent is going to let that happen just so their kid can get another pet.

I really think that considering the issues with the lease and your going away to school in a couple of years, you should probably just enjoy the cornsnake you have and call it good for now.

Give her logic. I'm 12 and got my first bp just 2 months ago after wanting a snake for 3 years. To say the least, it was logic and her mother that did the trick. Find the one person she'll listen to, and convince that person that your getting a ball python would be for the best. The person will talk and convince your mom, and voila. ;)

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Originally Posted by abuja

Give her logic. I'm 12 and got my first bp just 2 months ago after wanting a snake for 3 years. To say the least, it was logic and her mother that did the trick. Find the one person she'll listen to, and convince that person that your getting a ball python would be for the best. The person will talk and convince your mom, and voila. ;)

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So what about the landlord?

Here is how I see it. Because you live with your mother I would wait it out or call the landlord to see what animals are permissable without a 25 dollar charge. If there are charges for every animal, including ones in tanks, I would wait until I was out on my own. Yes snakes are easy to hide especially in a rack system, but I would only take that risk if I wasn't endangering anyone but myself. You don't need to bring your mother into an eviction if it comes to that.

Best thing to do is call the landlord and hear what he/she has to say.

Good luck. :gj:

I've never heard of a landlord charging for caged animals... I have had pets of ALL types since living on my own (15+ years), and only dogs & cats were counted as household pets. But I don't know how things work in every state, so it could be possible. Definitely ask the landlord first, and consider everything that's been said here - especially the detail of you going off to college in 2 years.

The best thing you can do is get a copy of the lease, your mom should have one, and read it word for word. If it says $25 per pet, and doesn't list specific pets, that's what it means. If the landlord says reptiles are ok, then you need to get a signed addendum to the lease, because if the landlord changes their mind later on, a verbal agreement will not hold up to a signed lease in court...


Rob

i have wanted one since i was 17 and i just got one at 23. i waited until i had room, money and knowledge to care for it. and i am still learning about them. i would say talk to ur mom. if she says no then wait til u r older and ready

I'd say it sounds like alot of complications, and I would probably just wait a few years when you had your own place and what not. BUT if you really want one, and you think it's something that will bring joy to your life (not heartache) i would go for it. Theres always obstacles to overcome in life.

Guys, this thread is from early July. The OP hasn't logged on since August.