Having Snake In New Apartment

[Cobb1129]

Not sure if this is the right section, but....

I'm moving out of apartment complex and into a yet-to-be-determined complex in two months. My roommate and I are looking at different options here in Tampa, FL.

I hear the rumors that most complexes won't allow snakes and such. For those of you out there with snakes living in apartments that don't explicitly allow snakes or that explicitly say they don't allow snakes...what worked for you to get over/around/through that issue... Either by negotiation/explanation of the animal/etc...

[Mrs.Smith]

I rent a house but I don't even know that I told my landlord. They aren't venomous and its not like a fish tank that can break and cause large amounts of damage. I'm not saying for you to be dishonest. But they aren't like cats, dogs or fish tanks that can cause damage to the place. That would be my argument. Good luck

[BiggBaddWolf]

I have two ball pythons, a kingsnake, and my wife has a couple leopard gecko's, and I am quite sure the apartment manager would have a stroke if she ever found out, but they are small, and easy to hide during "inspections" so I don't worry much.

[piedpython]

Just be upfront and tell then exactly what you have. All the apartments I looked at and the one I live in now ban exotic pets but the management cares more about our money and will negotiate. I tell them I have one ball python that stays pretty small and is housed in a locked tank and poses no danger to anything but a mouse. All the places laughed and said I could take it. They dont want big snakes or anything that can pose a risk or damage the apartment like a fish tank.


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[Reinz]

I think Piedpython pretty much nailed it.

Be up front; the keys are, locked cage, gentle creatures, no danger to anything but mice and rats.

Otherwise you are sure to loose your security deposit if you are dishonest.

[piedpython]

And if there is ever a emergency in the building matinence can come in without notice and tell the management what you have in your house as pets.


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[moorea]

I was in a similar situation with my Burmese a very long time ago. While discussing the lease I told the manager I had a snake. He read through the lease with me and said aquarium pets are allowed and he is in an aquarium. I pointed out that just because he was in a glass tank, doesn't mean he is a fish, he said it would not ever be a problem. We had a good year and a half in that apartment and not only did every body know about it, just about every one who lived in that apartment would come and watch on feeding day, even the manager. It got to be a regular thing. People would pass me in the halls and ask when I thought the next feeding would be so they could make sure they were there. Until I started hearing that a new resident was freaked about my snake and complaining about it. Not long after I received a notice that the lease prohibits anything but fish (yes "aquarium pets" turned into fish on this notice) and I had 30 days to get rid of the snake or be evicted. I let them evict me. But I would always suggest being honest as others here have, but also make sure it is noted in the lease exactly what the pet is and that it is allowed.

[Reinz]

That just burns me up when one person/hater can ruin it for everybody.

[dkspftw]

That just burns me up when one person/hater can ruin it for everybody.

Welcome to Society. Haha.

[Marrissa]

I was careful not to say the word "python" which seems to elicit the thought of 20 foot man eater in most people. I told her I had three at the time and they all had locking cages. She said that was was fine and no pet deposit needed. They don't need to know how many I have now. The rest of the snakes are in my bedroom. And the rats.. well they don't need to know about those. I have the rat rack in my bedroom. It's a "no pet" place but everyone has a dog, cat, or bird or something and no one really hides it or seems to care.