Conference misery::feline_v1

    If you are in a year's lease now than the owner must have known
    you had a cat.  Does the lease state no pets or is this something
    new??  If it does say no pets, why oh why did you sign it??
    
    Sandi (Lightning, DejaVu & Thunder's mom)
    
    

    
    Will the landlord let you stay with the cat until your lease is
    up?  Better still, will the landlord let you break the lease so
    you can find another place and keep the kitty?
    
    Check your lease immediately, although, most apartments do state
    NO PETS - maybe you can convince the landlord (unless (s)he's a real
    A*S) that your kitty isn't harming anything and that you'll pay
    for anything that's damaged .... I've know a few landlords to be
    a little softer when they have in writing "That the Lessee will
    pay for any damage caused as a direct result of cat(s)".  
    
    My landlord had no problem with my owning cats (and it was specified
    in the rental agreement NO PETS), as long as she had it in writing 
    that I'd pay.
                                
    Try talking to the landlord first before you give up your baby.
    
    BC
    

    
    
    Me too.
    
    As matter of fact he wrote in the lease as follows
    
    NO PETS (with a big underline) - with the exception of ....
    
    Nice guy.  I had to convince him that female cats don't lift up
    their legs to pee and everything!!  Funny stuff.
    
    F.

    Keep us posted about what's happening.
    BTW has Chewy been immunized against FLV?  
    if you are in this area I can find out about no-kill shelters
    for you.  Then if things get desperate you won't have to
    take chewy to a regular shelter.
      Also, what about a foster home until your lease is up or
    you manage to break the lease.  Perhaps your landlord will 
    allow you to break the lease under the circumstances.  If
    you make it clear that you intend to move out rather than
    give up the cat s/he may be more reasonable about letting
    you go or letting the cat stay with an increased security
    deposit.
      How much more time do you have on the lease.
      Nancy DC
    

    The lease does say no pets.  I moved in without a cat.  I have been
    living there for over 3 years and have had chewy for 1 1/2 years.
    The reason I got her when I knew there was no pets allowed is because
    EVERYONE in the buildings seem to have a cat.  There are tons and
    tons.  The person next door to me has 2 cats.  I have even seen
    a cat or two.  The people who ran the office knew I have had chewy
    for a long time and never said anything.  Seems to be all new people
    in the office now.  Don't know what happened to the others.  This
    one lady is a REAL BIT#H!.  We have 6 months left on the lease.
    We only had to sign for 6 months but we signed for a year to avoid
    rent increase.  Recently we decided we wanted to buy a home and
    spoke to her about getting out of the lease early.  She said no
    way, and if we tried that we would owe 1/4 of the remaining months
    rent.  Even explained to her about how bad we got killed in taxes
    this year and that we had to buy a place and she said "Too Bad,
    you shouldn't have signed a lease".  We have been perfect tenants
    for over 3 years and never missed a months rent.  I don't know what
    to do.  My husband says he is not giving chewy up.  He said let
    them evict us.  He went to talk to her last night and she said that
    Chewy is a nuisance (sp?).  She is outside a lot and everyone loves
    her.  They are always talking to her and petting her.  There are
    other outdoor cats that live there too and she has never gotten
    into a fight ( I know, I know, I probably should have never let
    her go outside, too late now).  So I have no idea what to do.  I
    do not feel like getting evicted and I do not feel like giving up
    my baby.  Can they evict us when there are so many other people
    that own cats there?  My husband mentioned all of the other cats
    and she said that they would deal with that when the time comes.
    Hmmmm, wonder what that means.  She just seems like a cat hater.
    I have never seen chewy on a car or doing anything outside that
    would hurt anything.  Even in the summer she goes out to the pool
    and the lifeguards love her and give her water and talk to her all
    of the time.
    
    Pam  

    Nancy - Are there any no kill shelters in the NH area?  I live 
    in Nashua, NH.  I have someone that said they would take her in
    before seeing me have to bring her to a shelter.  Her cat is 19
    years old and getting very sickly.  They have been talking about
    having to put her to sleep.  (very sad to hear).  
    
    Pam

    Pam,
    
    How about asking this person to foster care for Chewy until 
    your lease expires and you find a new place?  If I were in
    your shoes I would take my chances and keep the cat, but
    I would keep Chewy indoors for as long as you're living there.
    
    Are you definitely planning on buying a house in the near future?
    
    Donna
    

    
    
    A foster home sounds like a good ideaa!
    
    Tap all your friends for that favor they owe you.
    
    I may be careful letting her out now though.  If that woman is this
    mean you never know what may happen.  It sounds like a mean thing
    to do, but maybe keep her in until you find a foster home for her
    for the next six months..
    
    Does she claw or scratch?
    
    F.

    If you opt for eviciton, isn't that essentially 'breaking the lease',
    and freeing you up for bigger and better options?  I have a friend
    who is a landlord for many appartments, and he'll do anything to
    avoid evicting a tenant.  It costs the landlord mega bucks and mega
    hastles.  Maybe if you tell her she has to evict you, she'll back
    down to avoid the costly problems.
                      
    Good Luck!

    
    If you can't find a foster home until you are ready to move,
    I would hold your ground and keep chewy.  Evicting a tenant is a
    very difficult and time consuming (not to mention expensive) procedure
    for the landlord.  The laws are designed to protect the tenant.
    
    I would keep Chewy indoors - as you don't want your cat to suddenly
    "disappear".
    
    Good Luck,
    
                        Kathy

    
    
    
    Yes.
    
    Please keep her indoors!!
    
    Some people are nasty!
    
    F.

   
    I go along with the group, keep kitty indoors and let them evict
    you. I think they will back down.
    
    Craig

    Hmmmmm, that's what my husband thinks we should do.  I'm just a
    little nervous I guess.  Don't they just have to send you an eviction
    notice and give you 30 days to move out, or does it get expensive
    only if you try to fight the eviction?
    
    Chewy never clawed or scratched anyone.  She is so lovable and playful.
    Everyone loves her except for the wicked witch of the east.

                         
    Maybe I'll just have to see what happens.  I didn't let her out
    this morning.
    
    Pam

So what if she evicts you?!  
Don't you want out of the lease anyway?
I agree with everyone else, sit tight and see what happens.  She'll 
probably back down.  Don't let the kitty out!

    
    
    
    If she doesn't claw or scratch furniture, esp. wood!!  I can foster
    home her.
    
    I have a kitten at home who would like some company.
    
    I'm a good kitty mummy.
    
    If you don't live far away, etc.  contact me through mail.
    
    If you are scared of being evicted and all.  Maybe call one of those
    lawyer places thats advertised on T.V.  for a "free consultation"
    just ask them what your rights are, and how long you can stay in
    the place pending eviction.
    
    F.

    thinking about what I said in .8, I'd like to temper what I said a bit,
    least it be construed as goading your landlord into evicting you so
    that you don't have to pay the rent. I've been informed that NH laws
    are a bit more favorable to the landlord than to the tenant, so before
    you do anything, you might want to speak to an attorney. I know around
    here some of the local law schools have "legal aid societies" that will
    tell you your rights in a situation. I am told that they are especially 
    helpful with tenants rights.

    Deb

    Ok, you guys have talked me into holding on for a bit.
    
    Thanks for the offer Francine.  I'll let you know all know how this
    turns out and I'll let you know Francine if I need a foster home.
    
    Thanks again.  Pam

    Call the Legal referral board - I can't remember the exact name
    right now, but they will refer you to a lawyer who handles this
    type of problem and there is a fixed rate for the initial consultation.
    Very inexpensive.  talk to a lawyer and find out what your rights
    are.
    
    Find a foster home.  You already have an excellent offer.  Don't
    forget that the landlady has a key to the apartment and could
    potentially take the cat if you start fighting.  Protect Chewy
    FIRST - then get out of the lease. No one should have to put up
    with that *c*r*a*p*.
    
    Warn the other tennants in the building.  The landlady may be
    going after tennants one at a time so she can intimidate them.
    I'm not necessarily suggesting that you band together, but
    you can at least support each other - and see what comes of that.
    
    So - 
      1. PROTECT CHEWY - put her in a foster hom
      2. Find out what your legal rights are
      3. Warn the other tenants.
    
    AND GOOD LUCK!!  If we can help, let us know.  
      Nancy DC
    

    You know - I've been thinking.  If you just move out, you'll
    lose your security deposit and that's probably all.  In order
    for them to collect the money they'll have to take you to court.
    That's going to be expensive for them and it probably wouldn't
    be worth it.  
      Same is true for eviction - I'm told it takes 6 months and
    costs alot of money.
    
      Here is one consideration, tho - If you are thinking of buying
    a house you have to be very very careful of your credit rating.
    Being evicted or breaking a lease may or may not effect your
    chances of getting a mortgage.  If you have a sterling credit
    rating otherwise and explain that this was over a cat, the bank
    may not care.
    
      Here's one other idea.  If you can show that the realty company
    knew about the cats and accepted rent money anyway, you may be
    able to prove "implied consent" - that by accepting rent money
    knowing you have a cat they have, in effect, consented to your
    having a cat and overruled that clause in the lease.  again -
    talk to a lawyer.
      Nancy DC
    

Have you tried negotiating a deal where, say, you might pay
some extra money for the security deposit in exchange for
written permission to keep your kitty?  I had this kind of
deal when I lived in Manchester, NH a few years back. As
I recall, it was an extra 100.00 on the deposit (got it all
back after moving).

I broke the lease on my first apartment, although for the same reasons as
you are considering.  I called WBZ Radio's "Call for Action" and got legal
advice.  They told me that all the landlord can do is to sue you for the 
balance of the lease, and ONLY if he/she does *not* rent the apartment.  
So all you will probably lose is your security deposit.  We never heard a
word from our former landlord over the incident, and the apartment was 
rented within the next month.  And I have bought a house since that time
and received copies of my *spotless* credit report from 2 different credit
bureaus.  This was in Massachusetts, however, and I'm not familiar with NH
laws, but I would assume they would be very similar.

I got Mocha while living at my second (and last) apartment.  Like most
apartment complexes, I saw dogs, rabbits, hamsters, birds, etc. in other
tenant's apartments and I was always afraid that one day I would come home
from work and find Mocha gone.  I agree that you should leave Chewy in a
foster home until this mess is settled.  If I were in your position, I would
make other arrangements, give your notice, and forfeit your security deposit.
Most people I know would probably deduct the security deposit from the last
month's rent (if you haven't paid that up front already) and leave.  But 
everything you have heard so far is true--eviction is an expensive and time-
consuming process for the landlord.  You are actually making it easier for
him/her to rent out your space at a higher price and you will probably never
hear from them again.  *Just make sure* that your next landlord doesn't want
a reference from your former landlord--if he does, just tell him that you've
been living with one of your family members.

ann

    I absolutely agree with the majority of the responses.
    
    #1  Protect Chewy at all costs! Hang on to her regardless of what
    	they threaten. If a foster home is feasible try it; or change
    	the door locks and keep her inside.
    
    #2  Contact the State House for a list of Tenants Rights. Mass actually
    	publishes a booklet explaining all legalities. Eviction can
    	take from 3-6 months and cost the landlord oodles of money!
    
    #3	Contact others in the complex with cats - call a meeting to
    	discuss the situation and strategize - strength in numbers
    	always works.
    
    
    Good luck and let us know what happens ........
    

    Well guess what everone.  We just got our eviction notice today.
    We have been home from our vacation for 5 days and they booted us
    out.  In the letter they gave us 2 weeks but that was mailed the
    day after we left for our trip.  We are going to check into a
    condo with lease/option to buy because we do not have a big enough
    down payment.  If that doesn't work out I'll have to find a quick
    home for my Chewy.  I have someone who may take her.  Then I'll
    have to explain to the As*hole landlords that we just received the
    notice on Monday and we will find a home for chewy.  Let's just
    hope we can get the condo and to h#ll with the landlord.  They can
    keep their dam* apartment.  
    
    I've had it anyway.  Someone took a key down the side of my RX7
    while I was on vacation.  Isn't Nashua, NH supposed to be the best
    town in America to live in?   Hmmmfff
    
    Pam
    
    Ps.  Thanks for all of the help.  By the way, how many cats do some
    of you have????????    Sounds like some of you have quite a few.

    Actually, an eviction notice is good.  Then you can take Chewy and
    go to a new place without having to worry.  I was evicted from an
    apartment for having a cat once.  It hasn't haunted me or anything
    like that.  Ken and I bought our house about a year and a half ago
    and no problems.
    
    Jo
    
    About the PS - alot of us have alot more than one cat.  For some
    of us, just writing down the number and admitting that we have that
    many can cause uncontrollable hysteria!  ;^) ;^) ;^)
    
    ^ ^
    >^<
    \_/
    
    
    

    Doesn't look good.  The condo we looked at was not worth the asking
    price (which they won't budge on).  We decided to look at other
    apartments that would let us keep Chewy.  Half of the apartments
    for rent will not allow pets.  Not even just 1 cat.  We looked at
    6 so far and they are real DUMPS!  Rent is the same as we are paying
    now.  There are a couple more that we will look at but time is running
    out.  I did convince the landlord to give us 10 more days since
    we were out of the country when they sent us the original notice
    to get rid of our cat.  We have until Monday to either get rid of
    Chewy or half an apartment that we will move into.  A friend of
    mine is going to take her (the one with the sickly 19 year old cat).
    She said we can have her back when we are able to buy our own place,
    but this may not be for a year or 2.  If she falls in love with
    Chewy, like I know she will, I would not take her back.  If Chewy
    does go with her at least I know she will have a good home.  I feel
    better than having to give her to a shelter that may put her to
    sleep after 30 days.  It's not Chewy's fault.  The lady who will
    take her also does not work and is home all day long.  Chewy will
    love that.  
    
    I'm really going to miss Chewy.  She's like our baby (since we have
    no kids yet).  It's going to be really quiet without her.  She's
    being cuter than ever too which is making it even harder.  Two days
    ago she is fishing for something under the bureau (only 1 inch off
    of the floor).  She finally pulls out a little piece of styrofoam
    which she used to play with about 4 months ago.  She hasn't let
    go of that thing for 2 days.  She throws it up into the air and
    then it sticks to her (static).  She runs in circles trying to get
    it off of her tail.  It's amazing how their favorite toys are pieces
    of trash.  She just loves the plastic tab from milk jugs.  Also
    loves those bread ties.  Her new favorite sleeping spot is on top
    of the cabinets, above the refridgerator.  I'm going to miss you
    Chewy.
    
    Pam
    
    ps.  I have never laughed so hard as I do when I'm reading this
    file.  Some pretty comical cats out there. 
    

    Well Chewy is back with us.  I dropped her off at her foster home
    yesterday morning.  The old 19 year old cat was downstairs and Chewy
    was upstairs.  When the son (30 year old son) went to go downstairs,
    their cat was waiting and went mental because he knew their was
    another cat in the house.  Chewy didn't do anything but their cat
    scratched the son.  He is kind of a big baby and didn't want to
    get scratched again so they called me and asked me to take Chewy
    back.  So I came home, quite late and my husband was wondering where
    I had dissapeared to (we were supposed to go hit some golf balls,
    too late now, it was dark).  Well I said I had a surprise for him,
    and in walks Chewy, extremely happy to be back in her real home.
    My husband was very happy.  I told him that she walked back home
    on her own and he almost believed me until I started laughing (foster
    home was about 20 miles away which he knew).  So we are both very
    happy to have Chewy back.  I almost took her to a shelter on the
    way home, but just couldn't do it.  So we are on the big apartment
    hunt.  As far as I am concerned they will just have to hold their
    horses until we find a place.  We have a few appointments tonight.
    
    I called the landlord yesterday morning to let her know that Chewy
    was gone.  So either she checked up on us yesterday and did find
    the cat gone, or she will do it sometime this week and think that
    we are definitely big liers.  
    
    I'll let you all know how it turns out.  No more finding a place
    for Chewy.  She means too much to us.  It's our problem, not hers.
    My sister thinks I am crazy.  She said "All this for a cat?".  I
    said if you ever had a cat or a dog you would understand.  I know
    everyone in this file does.
    
    Pam

Pam,

In what area are you looking?  I live in the Leominster area and am looking for 
a place.  I have found quite a few that will accept cats, but for my mother
and I, they weren't big enough or the rent was too high.  If you're interested,
give me a call and I'll give you some names.

HOlly

    Be nasty - you're moving anyway.  Tell her the cat's back,
    you're moving as soon as you find another place, if she
    wants to try and evict you, she can spend the money to
    go to court and try.  My friend's brother finally had
    to *pay* his BAD tenants to move out of his apartment
    building. Meantime, you want 24 hours notice before
    anyone enters the apartment, no one enters without
    your permission, and if there is evidence that someone
    has, you're calling the police and pressing charges.
    
    Send it in a certified letter, so she can't say you
    didn't tell her - she'll have to sign for it.  Usually
    for $50.00 or less you can consult with a lawyer and
    he/she will inform you of what your rights are, and
    probably help you write the letter.  Sometimes just
    mentioning you that you have consulted a lawyer can
    silence the severest critic ;-).
    
    Besides, the old broad deserves it anyhow...
    
    Glad Chewy is back!!!!!   
    
    Mary-Michael

    
    
    Put your own lock on the door!!
    
    You have every right too, esp. if they need to give you 24 hour
    notice before entering.  You have that right as a tenant, noone
    can enter your house without you knowing!
    
    You have every right to put your own lock on.
    
    F.

    Holly,  Thanks for the offer but we live in Nashua, NH.   
    
    Pam