New landlord in a rental building has recently circulated "house rules" with several restrictions -- particularly about pets, specifically dogs. The building has been pet-friendly for many years, with several tenants owning larger dogs. The new "rules" include a 50-lb weight limit for dogs, require that dogs be carried while in the passenger elevators and public areas of the building, and that the... [more]
New landlord in a rental building has recently circulated "house rules" with several restrictions -- particularly about pets, specifically dogs. The building has been pet-friendly for many years, with several tenants owning larger dogs. The new "rules" include a 50-lb weight limit for dogs, require that dogs be carried while in the passenger elevators and public areas of the building, and that the service elevator be used to take dogs in/out for walks. There is also a clause that Management must "expressly permit" each pet in writing and that "management at any time for good cause, if given, can take this consent back on reasonably given notice."
Can these new rules be applied to existing pets who fall outside of the requirements (more than 50 lbs, no express approval for a pet granted previously, etc)? What protections does a tenant with a pet have?
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Response by fieldschester
over 10 years ago
Posts: 3525
Member since: Jul 2013
pepino, what neighborhood is this in?
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Response by pepino
over 10 years ago
Posts: 22
Member since: Aug 2010
lower Manhattan, very dog-friendly area.
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Response by crescent22
over 10 years ago
Posts: 953
Member since: Apr 2008
which neighborhoods are not dog friendly
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Response by alanhart
over 10 years ago
Posts: 12397
Member since: Feb 2007
All neighborhoods are not pet-friendly, except those which are entirely detached single-family housie-houses.
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Response by alanhart
over 10 years ago
Posts: 12397
Member since: Feb 2007
Particularly with disregard for dog owners.
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Response by pier45
over 10 years ago
Posts: 379
Member since: May 2009
I agree with Alan. If the standard for being pet friendly is >50lb, good luck.
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Response by MIBNYC
over 10 years ago
Posts: 421
Member since: Mar 2012
Yet MOTHER-IN-LAWS are still permitted to ride in the elevators ??? NO FAIR
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Response by rb345
over 10 years ago
Posts: 1273
Member since: Jun 2009
Pepino:
1. your dog will be grandfathered in if you owned it for more than 90 days
with the prior owner's consent
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Response by SkepticalBK
over 10 years ago
Posts: 0
Member since: Sep 2015
Read the Pet Law. It applies to some boroughs and certain types of apartments . From what I understand, the landlord can make rules but can't suddenly up and decide your dog can't be there is the dog has been there more than 3 months. But probably should talk to a lawyer.
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Response by sgsg
about 10 years ago
Posts: 13
Member since: Dec 2014
It sounds somewhat reasonable, maybe they're trying to prevent liability if a big or aggressive dog attacks.
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Response by jelj13
about 10 years ago
Posts: 821
Member since: Sep 2011
I lived in a condo where we had to change the bylaws to exclude certain breeds and sizes of dogs. Unless there was a problem with a dog in these exclusions, dogs already in residence were not affected by the bylaws. For those "problem" dogs, our lawyer handled the incidents on a case by case basis. However, we were allowed to insist that all dogs must be "registered" by the owners. It's not only the insurance liability but a quality of life issue that people expect.
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Response by jlkaufman1
almost 10 years ago
Posts: 24
Member since: Oct 2009
Hi pepino, a building can change their rules with approval at anytime. If you are referring to a co-op the changes have to be approved by the board. In a building with changes as you mentioned, most likely anyone with a pet in place is grandfathered in and any new PETS will have to be vetted by the new rules. As pets of a larger size are noisy and ruin floors, this is a way to protect you as an owner/tenant.
pepino, what neighborhood is this in?
lower Manhattan, very dog-friendly area.
which neighborhoods are not dog friendly
All neighborhoods are not pet-friendly, except those which are entirely detached single-family housie-houses.
Particularly with disregard for dog owners.
I agree with Alan. If the standard for being pet friendly is >50lb, good luck.
Yet MOTHER-IN-LAWS are still permitted to ride in the elevators ??? NO FAIR
Pepino:
1. your dog will be grandfathered in if you owned it for more than 90 days
with the prior owner's consent
Read the Pet Law. It applies to some boroughs and certain types of apartments . From what I understand, the landlord can make rules but can't suddenly up and decide your dog can't be there is the dog has been there more than 3 months. But probably should talk to a lawyer.
It sounds somewhat reasonable, maybe they're trying to prevent liability if a big or aggressive dog attacks.
I lived in a condo where we had to change the bylaws to exclude certain breeds and sizes of dogs. Unless there was a problem with a dog in these exclusions, dogs already in residence were not affected by the bylaws. For those "problem" dogs, our lawyer handled the incidents on a case by case basis. However, we were allowed to insist that all dogs must be "registered" by the owners. It's not only the insurance liability but a quality of life issue that people expect.
Hi pepino, a building can change their rules with approval at anytime. If you are referring to a co-op the changes have to be approved by the board. In a building with changes as you mentioned, most likely anyone with a pet in place is grandfathered in and any new PETS will have to be vetted by the new rules. As pets of a larger size are noisy and ruin floors, this is a way to protect you as an owner/tenant.