Can I be forced out of my apartment by new owners after 8 years because of the dogs I have had since my first day here?
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Can I be forced out of my apartment by new owners after 8 years because of the dogs I have had since my first day here?
I have owned 2 pitbull mixed breed dogs for the entire time of my living in this apartment. I have paid my pet deposits and I have followed all their rules and regulations concerning the ownership of said dogs. The property has been recently purchased by new owners and they are not renewing leases of renters who own these types of dogs. This is going to cause me great hardship after I have abided their rules all these years. Do I have a legal fight or any grounds to stand on?
Asked on April 5, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Washington
Answers:
DRichard White / MoKan Personal Injury Group
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
An apartment lease is a legal document that outlines the agreement between a landlord and a tenant. It is an agreement by the renter to abide by whatever rules and conditions the landlord has for allowing the renter to reside in the apartment. An apartment lease can be for any amount of time, but most leases are typically for one year. Your apartment lease may include a provision for renewal for an additional year. Depending on the circumstances, the landlord may be happy to renew your lease year after year, as long as you wish to stay in the apartment. If the lease does not contain a renewal clause then at the end of the lease agreement you must either sign a new lease or move out. Even if the lease does contain a renewal clause it is the landlord's right to renew or not renew the lease. With respect to the factual statement you provided, the building has come under new ownership and the new owners have the right to set new rules for a new lease. If they decide that they do not what dogs in the building then they have the right not to enter into a new agreement with anyone who wants to keep a dog on the premises.
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