Advice needed. Moving into an apartment.

[Generationshell]

If I 'm right sounds like your parents are attached and want to keep him,
if that's the case, let them, they must be doing a good job after four years.

I am very thankful that they have continued to care for him while I was away. The only reason they did it is because they knew how much he meant to me. They are not attached to him. My mom thinks he looks like a "turd" and always makes comments about him having a sad life because he lives in a cage (tank). I'm not sure what my dad thinks. I doubt he is attached though.

Does anyone else get that comment? That your reptiles have a "sad" life because they live their life in a tank? My bf thinks that as well.

When I continue my apartment shopping I will surely ask about their policy on reptiles.
Question: Should I specifically use the term "snake"? I'm worried that will scare them right off the bat.

I really do appreciate everyone's advice. My parents think I have wishful thinking. I am just frustrated that I may not be able to take my snake with me because he is seen as a viscous reptile that would kill a human (despite the fact that he has never struck a human since I've had him nor weighs even 5 lbs). -.-

[Generationshell]

My parents took care of my pets while I was away at college, but it doesn't mean they didn't want me to take them as soon as I was able to do so.

I'm not sure my parents even want me to take him. They just want me to find him another home. I can't do that.

[CptJack]

Some people don't do well with caged pets - my husband is one, but he knows it's a psychology quirk in him, not a real problem for the animals.

My advise would just be find somewhere they are legal. Ask to see their pet policy. Inquire about caged pets, and/or reptiles. If they push for information or you can't evade, don't lie. You'll find somewhere. This isn't like trying to rent with a large dog. I would advise, however, to go with a leasing agency/rental COMPANY rather than an individual. Policies covering lots of properties or units are going to likely to be WAY less biased than talking to some individual and your ability to rent with a snake depending, basically, on how they feel about snakes.

(I will be keeping my kid's snake when he leaves for college in a couple of years. Not going to lie - I am going to be really sad when the snake goes. I *am* attached. Reminding myself that I can get a new one then might get me through it. Maybe.)

[JohnNGriffin]

I live in an apartment, and have two snakes. A Boa and a Python. They are only around 4ft long. Guess it depends on who your landlord is. My landlord had no problem. In fact, his daughter has snakes too. I tell him I keep locks on the lids, and etc. They wont be outside like a dog, crapping all over the yard to be stepped in later. Or a cat that meows all night long. They don't stink like some animals. Guess, it would depend on who your landlord is. There are no rules against having snakes cause apparently there aren't enough people trying to move into an apartment with snakes. All you can do is ask, and explain how it will be caged, and etc and see what happens...

[Navaro]

Anything worth doing, is worth doing right.

[brock lesser]

I'm not sure my parents even want me to take him. They just want me to find him another home. I can't do that.

Well then since they don't want to keep him that's a new ball game ( pun intended ) I would definitely be taking him.
So I would ask about caged pet policy's and if they press tell them you where thinking about a purchase and see how it goes.
Around here as long as the pet is caged it's usually not an issue.

[raisinjelly]

The apartments in my town are backward IMO, they allow a cat or a dog under 20 pounds but no caged pets whatsoever. I could see them being hesitant about escapees, but really... a dog could be urinating and pooping all over the carpet, chewing the walls, barking and disturbing the neighbors, getting hair everywhere, leaving poop out in the grass. In comparison to that, what harm would say a toad in a ten gallon do?

Good luck with your search!

[Generationshell]

Thank you everyone for all of the advice.
If it weren't for ya'll I may have not even bothered asking the apartment complexes about whether they allow "caged reptiles" ;p
My parents kept telling me that I'd never find a place that would allow my snake. I was beginning to believe that notion myself. I was thinking "why even ask?" I was essentially fearing rejection and the confirmation that my parents may have been right all along.

Anyways...I have recently gone apartment shopping. At every apartment I asked," What is your policy about caged reptiles?"
Almost all of the responses went along the lines of, "No, we don't have a policy. We allow any small animal/reptile (bunny, lizard, etc.) and there isn't a deposit to keep them."

I was thrilled and still am!!

I can bring my sweet snake along with me when I move! Life is good

[Cyndymei]

I'm so happy for you! It's a great feeling! You'd think more people wouldn't mind caged animals seeing as how they don't really destroy the apartment

[Darkbird]

Glad to hear the outlook is good. My policy was always to just ask about caged pets and aquariums, and not be too specific about size or contents. Though I think the last one might have regretted it a bit when he realized I had tanks going in size from 20 to 110gal , plus a few reptile cages. That was back when I had more fish than reptiles. Now I have a house, so the only person I have to clear anything with is the wife.