Maybe this is totally wrong but as long as the state and local laws allow them and there is nothing in the lease that says you can't have them or have to disclose to your landlord that you have them then I just wouldn't tell them. My lease actually states "No pets of any kind without prior approval." So I asked if I could have an aquarium or caged animals. Then I was specifically asked if I meant snakes. I was honest and had to give up most of my collection. I have two snakes now. When I took my current job I had to move fast on a place to live. Cape Cod apartments get rented out rather quickly during the summer. The place I live in is less than half a mile from work and is at a great price for the area so I had to do what I had to do.