Landlord problem - What do you think?

[reefslife]

Original lease docs, it says no pets but then he put down dogs are fine...

 

[reefslife]

I said tell the landlord the bathtub was 210g,just to shut him up and hope he doesnt look up how muh a bathtub actually is

+1 few other friends told me that too..

 

[James]

+1 few other friends told me that too..

Get new friends. This thread is depressing.

 

[lanacane214]

People like james make it depressing

 

[albano]

I am sure not the RO issue as I dont really use it that much, I go by 1 tap - 1 RO at water change to save him water for my hobby.

IMO...this is not a good idea, and may cost you far more than the water bill you save!

 

[James]

Being deceitful to a landlord who has been otherwise accommodating to pets is not really solid advice but to each his own. Good luck with that.

 

[NewfiDog]

+1
Tenants dont have the right to destroy someone's property.

 

[al0ha]

this thread is amusing. there are some really ignorant/shady people out there. There are just things you cant lie about and concern about the structural integrity of a building floor isnt something to be dishonest about...im sure when you are in the landlord's shoes, u wouldnt want to run the risk of some tenant's property potentially destroying yours. i'd just talk to him nicely and ask if he would be at ease if an inspector came. he might still want you to move out so theres no need wasting the money on the inspector if he already set his mind on that

 

[jgraz]

Gotta agree with the others, Plus you did state that the lease states no pets, but he allows you to have a dog. That just might come to an end if this gets heated.

 

[reef28]

If you can't keep the tank then you must move. He is the owner and that sucks for you

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

As a fellow tenant, I am in sort of the same dilemma that it does state "no other pets". I will be utilizing the basement to house my fish setup and know the concerns because I have dealt with floods previously cause of my RO/DI over running the container etc, and my tank leaking.

You cannot argue about the tank leak because it CAN happen. I, however, believe that it is rare cases and after owning X amount of tanks that it only happened once. If I were not renting a house and basement was not available then I would in your situation take the tank out. The landlord is allowing you to rent his property. He has every right to be concerned.

It is your job to address those concerns, see if you can convince him. If you can't, sell and move out after 1.5 years.

 

[knutez24]

I know a few others have brought this up....I also rent and have had a landlord question my tank. You SHOULD have renters insurance regardless if you have a fish tank on a rental property. Rental insurance is a no brainer especially in a hobby this expensive. Not sure how big of place you have, but i pay under $150 a year for it.

This proof alone goes a long way just so that landlord knows you are covered. When I showed it to my former landlord (when i made sure i could have a tank before i moved in...) he allowed my tank in the lease. Good luck dealing with it mid-lease, but with a civil approach and proof you are covered it might work.

 

[tosiek]

I thought renters insurance doesn't cover damages due to fishtank leaks, ect.

 

[smoq]

This thread is really...interesting. I won't add anything new to it as all the informative people gave plenty of good advice to the author, but to whoever it may concern- do you have ANY idea how much salt water is in a 120g tank and how much damage it could do? Because you don't I have a simple test- take a 5g bucket of water and dump it on the floor. Now multiply that by give/take 20 (120g minus live rock&sand). See?

 

[knutez24]

I thought renters insurance doesn't cover damages due to fishtank leaks, ect.

when you fill out the forms it asks for pets. Just selecting a dog/cat/ or other (then selecting fish) drives your price per month way up. I actually called and talked to an agent and this was all so I could make sure i could have my much smaller 40B setup. Again i did this all before i moved in, not once it was setup in the rental allready, but exploring this option might help the OP keep the tank for now.

 

[greenlawns]

I'm a landlord and if my tenant asked me to have a tank in the apartment I would ask for two months security. Saltwater can make alot of damage that renters insurance will not cover. Best of luck to you on this matter.

 

[Dre]

.....And this is the mentality that creates bad tenant/landlord issues and reasons why the smarter landlords and rental agencies now screen people when doing rent applications. If you want the freedom of pets or installing big fishtanks there is always the option of buying your own home or condo apt, or finding a rental that allows it. The fishtank should have been cleared with the landlord, its actually not very nice to just go and install a couple hundred pound water container that has multiple liability issues tagged onto it in somewhere you don't actually own.

To clear up any bad information, he doesn't need to pay for your move and not paying rent will be a win for your landlord in getting you out of the apartment in court. He has every right to ask you to remove the tank if he see's fit. Its both a structural issue and a water damage liability. Like people said, if its structural you can always get a contractor to asses the structural limits of the floor or you can always compromise with a downgrade. Talk to him to see what he's worried about and then you will know how to proceed.

Alot of good point however this is the most intelligent answer. Not to mention the tank can leak at anytime. Whatever you decide pay your rent and setup a hidden camera.

 

[BaaMNYC]

I may be a hypocrite but I would never want a tenant to have a tank larger than 10 gallons. I've had an overflow clogged by a turbo snail and water spill onto the floor. An ato sensor get stuck and overflow my tank. And that's just in a year and a half I've had my tank up.

Things just seem to happen and if I had a property it just isn't worth the headache to have a tenant with a tank. Mess up hardwood floors or have a leak go to the floor below. Saltwater very damaging.