New apartment management has different aquarium rules.

D

deca

Registered Member
Jan 31, 2011
2
0
0
I'll try to make this as simple as possible-

Last summer I moved into an apartment with a friend of mine. We looked around for a while and finally settled on one which had great staff, a great location, and allowed aquariums under 100g without requiring us to notify them. We signed a six-month lease that expires at the end of this week.

About a month ago we got a letter stating that the apartment had been bought by a new management company that had a list of new rules on it. None of them really applied to us, but it still concerned me a little bit. Shortly after that, the maintenance workers and staff who we had made friends with disappeared and were replaced by people who are not nearly as friendly or professional. We decided that we would extend our lease for another 3 months until school is out and then move somewhere else.

We just got our new contract today after two weeks of dealing with the new staff and waiting for them to prepare it. It includes a portion that requires one to get written permission from the office for all aquariums over 10 gallons. I have a 40g, 20g, and 10g. I'm afraid that if I do ask for permission that it will be denied. My roommate, who is in law school studying contract law, says not to mention it to them. What do you think?
 
sounds like they just want to know about them in case of any water damage or anything. you sign a contract agreeing to the terms if you break the terms i am sure there are conciseness. if they have to go in the apt for something and the tanks are there with out approval you might forfeit you security or be penalized. you have to read it to see what it says.
 
i would definitely notify management of all your tanks, even those 10 gallons or under. i've worked in property management over the past few years and i tell ya, management can be very quick to kick out anyone that breaks pet rules. they honestly don't give a hoot about the people living in the building, only the rent cheques coming in every month.

considering you had no issue with the tanks and the old management and are already living there, i would be inclined to think the paperwork/permission would go smoothly. if it doesn't there are 'higher ups' you can contact. i know in Canada we have the landlord and tenants act and the landlord and tenants advisory board that pertains to each province/territory, so i would hope something of that nature is in place in the States (forgive me for assuming you're in the US if you're not).
 
Best to be up front about it, IMO.
 
from my Coop experience, usually new management will "grandfather" allow people who have tanks that fit the old rules to skate when the new rules take effect. you also have to consider what is the penalty if caught breaking the new rules - is it a fine, or a lease breaker that could get you evicted by next Month's end. from what you have written, it seems a formality for them to survey what tanks are out there, and based on that they will later codify the rule.
all this being said, if you are only there a few more Months, I would not worry about it, because by the time they do anything to enforce rules they have not even written yet, you'll be long gone. just don't invite any building workers over for the super bowl - the less they know about what's in your apartment the better. I would even keep a blanket handy to throw over the tank if any building worker has to get in your apartment. keep in mind the average building worker may not even realize that large tank rules are under review - so you can relax.
 
Last edited:
Agreed on telling them.

Management companies tend to get a percentage of the rent (unless they outright own the property) but also take over the maintenance and upkeep of the building. Since it is easier and sometimes more effective they often prefer to cut maintenance/upkeep costs rather then raise rent. They probably arn't looking for you to remove the tanks but they do want to know the tanks are there (so they know who to blame when the people below you get flooded :grinyes:)

Also, not sure what your laws are there but here pets tend to get grandfathered in for an outright ban or rule change. Basically you probably already have approval for keeping them, management just wants to have a record of who has them and who doesn't.
 
spypet said:
usually new management will "grandfather" allow people who have tanks that fit the old rules to skate when the new rules take effect.
Click to expand...


This is what I was thinking
 
the grandfathering clause works in condominiums but not necessarily in buildings that are owned by one person/entity and are all rented out to tenants.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom