Landlords and Bunnies

[flamingjuly.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry this isn't more specific to Davis Sq, so feel free to remove it if it's inappropriate, but: I know there are a lot of Davis Sq landlords on this community (not mine). We're trying to convince our landlord to allow a rabbit in our apartment. Our lease requires landlord approval to have a pet, rather than just a flat out "NO PETS" rule. The rabbit would be penned and is not a threat to any part of the apartment beyond maybe our own furniture. The landlord has been unreceptive so far but hasn't stated what his concerns are. Can any of you Davis landlords provide any insight into what he might be concerned about with the rabbit?

The other issue is that the rabbit would be an emotional support animal for a member of our household. Legally a landlord has to accommodate an emotional support animal within reason but we really don't want to force him into agreeing that way. Not sure if anyone here has any suggestions for that.

Thanks for any help!

Comments

moderator note

[ron_newman]

This post is totally appropriate for DSLJ. I added a couple of tags. I hope you get useful responses.

Previous experience

[mattglet.livejournal.com]

I'm not a landlord, but we did have a rabbit for about 6 years. While we also had a pen, we soon realized the biggest issue with our little lagomorph: rabbits chew... constantly. Wires, couches, carpets, you name it. Secondary is their joy of digging.

Your argument might be that "it will always be penned", but I will refrain from my feelings about trapping a rabbit 100% of the time :)

I can't speak towards what your landlord's concerns are, but hopefully I've provided a little foresight into what they "might" be, and what to be prepared for.

[shadow.livejournal.com]

As a landlord: I would be worried about bunnies gnawing at cabinets, and bunny poop smell permeating carpet and drapes. You may say that the bunny will always be penned, but I have friends with bunnies and they're always out for (supervised) traipses around the living room. I'd ask the landlord what his concerns are, and offer (1) higher security deposit (2) paying for a cleaning when you leave (3) if he's still skeptical, offer to let him come by and check for damage every couple of months [though I wouldn't lead with this].

[j-blesk.livejournal.com]

I believe that animal companions are beneficial to our emotional health, but realistically, owners, neighbours, and future tenants do not get the benefit of your pet's companionship.

Despite your best intentions, your pet may not be comfortable in its surroundings, you may not live in the unit for longer than your current lease, or neighbours may be bothered by the noises or smells your pet makes.

However, owners will have to deal with damage, future tenants may have allergic reactions, and pet noise can cause vacancies. I don't believe the law allows for landlords to ask for deposits for pets that are emotional support, so it makes a landlord even more apprehensive to allow tenants to have pets. I believe you could offer a deposit, however.

I hope your landlord comes around.

[dancingdeer.livejournal.com]

My parents had a bunny for a number of years and he really chewed away at the baseboards in the room he ran around in. I suppose a positive side is that you don't have to de-lead for rabbits, as opposed to for children. :)

[rmd.livejournal.com]

Putting on my landlord hat, I'd be concerned about chewing and other damage/odors. I might be persuaded by a very high security deposit (depending on things like the quality of woodwork in the house - if I'm worried about replacing 1970's clamshell door molding, whatever, but really nice 1900's oak is a whole different thing) and a separate agreement to, eg, have any carpets steam treated.

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

You can only charge a security deposit up to the amount of the rent. Well, replacing hardwood floor/molding would cost way more than that. Unless we get to the point where the law allows landlord to require a security deposit equal to amount of the potential damage, or a system where tenants could get bonded/insured for that amount, I wouldn't advise any landlord to accept pets for any apartment that is in pretty good condition.

[mem-winterhill.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love bunnies. I've known people who had them without any damage for years. I'd let you have one (with additional security deposit, perhaps). But--like others note, chewing damage can be pricey. So I can understand some hesitancy. I've considered getting one to mow the lawn. When I was in Germany people kept their rabbits in these cages that they would put out in the yard and move around after each patch was cleared. That was awesome.

One other problem could be allergies, though. My brother had terrible allergies. They have a summer beach house that they rented out one winter, with "no pets" clause, and the people kept pets. He was seriously ill from the dander, despite tons of cleaning. I'm not saying this is the case in your situation, but it could be a fear of some landlords. It's really not all just that they are animal haters and meanies.

Good luck.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

We had a rabbit for many years. She was a very nice, friendly rabbit, but quite destructive. It wasn’t kind to keep her caged all day, so we let her run around to get exercise in one room, which we tried to rabbit-proof. We covered all the wires and cords with hard plastic tubing; we put plywood in front of the baseboards, but still the rabbit managed to chew the doors and the baseboards. She even chewed through the tubing and got to some of the wires.

Rabbits have teeth that never stop growing. They need to chew constantly. It’s difficult to keep up with their chewing needs and to make sure they don’t chew something deadly to them (like a piece of aluminum foil).

In addition, they have fragile digestive systems. They need to eat lots and lots and lots of hay, which takes up a great deal of space and attracts rodents. One year, our rabbit’s hay attracted mice. We had to call an exterminator to get the rodents out of the ceiling.

I’m not trying to dissuade you from a rabbit, but you should know that they are not low maintenance. Also, since rabbits are prey animals, many get frightened when they are held.

I think the landlord’s concerns are probably the chewing behavior, rodents, and the mess rabbits make. Rabbits are quite a bit of work to care for properly, and they can live ten years or more. If both you and the landlord know what you are getting into, maybe you can work something out that is mutually agreeable. There are many rabbits out there who need good homes, but you should be prepared for a long-term commitment.

Good luck!

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

I had a rabbit once, and if you're not right on top of cleaning that pen super regularly, it can really reek.
Also, it means I have a (homemade) wire rabbit cage, if you need one. send me a PM on LJ if you are interested.

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

Also a DS landlord here, echoing what others are saying: The potential damage a bunny can do is much higher than a security deposit. My friends who let their rabbit out to romp occasionally in the kitchen had ripped up floors from the long nails of the rabbit that never got trimmed.

Additionally, it's extremely hard to collect a security deposit, even in the case of damage. If that money isn't put in a proper escrow account and the interest accounted for properly, the landlord can be held for triple-damages. We were advised by our lawyer not to collect a security deposit but to set the rent to cover repairs that come up. There's no way a security deposit could cover floors needing refinishing, which could happen. Or a fire from chewed wires. Personally we would allow a cat or dog long before a rabbit or ferret. Two words: "involuntary defecation."

[flamingjuly.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all of the insight, everyone! More info: I've had rabbits before, so I have an idea of what I'm in for with them and why I'm specifically seeking out a bunny companion. The floors of our apartment are old damaged linoleum and loose carpet thrown over said linoleum, so there is no way it could be noticeably damaged more. The damage the previous tenants did to the apartment was pretty rough: duct tape residue on the walls, chipped paint, holes in the wall. We've spent a lot of time fixing up what we could. I have a can of paint that matches the exact shade of white of our apartment after being sick of all the previous tenants' dings. The rabbit is also housebroken and will not relieve itself outside of a little box. We've also offered a pet deposit. I appreciate the info about hay attracting rodents. I didn't know that. If this works out, I'll be sure to keep excess hay in a safely enclosed container. And thanks for the tags, Ron!

This has been really helpful, and you all sound like awesome considerate landlords. Let me know if you're looking to rent out a one-bedroom to a super-responsible couple and possibly a bunny. ;-)

[granola-gurl.livejournal.com]

An article about ESA'S: http://davis-square.livejournal.com/3479093.html#comments (http://davis-square.livejournal.com/3479093.html#comments)