Do you get deposit back if evicted?

Question

I have caused no damages, but am worried I will be evicted if I get another dog. There is nothing in the lease which states I cannot have two dogs, but it does say you cannot get a dog without prior approval from the landlord. I have a boxer already, which my landlord was hesitant about because it is a larger breed of dog and they normally only allow small dogs. I am planning on getting a second boxer, but my landlord said "no" because they didn't even want one dog in my apartment since it has new carpet.

The lease is only a page long and doesn't have much written in it about restrictions for pets. I am worried that if I get the puppy anyway, they will evict me. It states in the lease that if I live there fewer than 6 mo. that I do not get my deposit back. I have only been there two months, but the puppy will not be ready for another two. I don't mind moving out, as long as I get my deposit back. If I get a new puppy, is there a chance I do not get my deposit back because I went against their wishes? All that is stated in the lease is not to get a pet without their approval, but I already have one and I know other tenants with multiple pets. (This question is not concerning any deposit lost related to damages).

Answer 1

You might, it depends on how much you gave. You will owe the landlord the rest of the rent for the remainder of lease as well as any expenses and damage they find from the dogs. If your deposit is more then what you owe you wil get that portion back.

Answer 2

If you violate the lease by bringing in a dog without permission (pets are automatically not allowed w/o landlord's permission; the lease doesn't have to specifically state that pets aren't allowed), you can be evicted and your deposit forfeited as the cost of breaking your legally binding contract.



What other tenants have is none of your concern. What your landlord has agreed to in the past is also irrelevant. Understand that, not only did your landlord do you a HUGE favor by allowing you to have one pet in the first place, his insurance probably skyrocketed because Boxers are considered a "dangerous" breed and either cause a substantial increase in premiums or void the policy altogether. Bringing another illegal pet will cause a lot of damage for you.



Not to mention, a dog the size of a Boxer should NOT be cooped up in an apartment, let alone two. Take two seconds to consider the dog's well-being and the fact that this property is NOT yours before you decide to break your contract. This is about more than money.

Answer 3

To answer your first question, if you are evicted, you get no deposit back, period-regardless of damages. The deposit will be credited to your account and although you will technically have what looks like a "credit" on the account, if you break a lease you get nothing back and will be responsible for the monthly rent until the apartment is re-rented or until your lease ends.



Secondly, you obviously should not be getting another dog. If your landlord has already said no, then the answer is no. Regardless if there is anything in the lease saying you can't have 2 pets, the landlords told you no, so if you do it anyways it is considered breaking your lease contract and you will be evicted.



Wait your lease out and rent a house! You need more room if in fact you are going to have 2 boxers.

Answer 4

What part of "All that is stated in the lease is not to get a pet without their approval" Are you not understanding????





Your lease clearly "states in the lease that if I live there fewer than 6 mo. that I do not get my deposit back." If your moving out is due to an eviction that does NOT change that clause in the lease.



If you get the unauthorized puppy you will be evicted & lose your deposit.

Answer 5

If your landlord does not approve of a second dog, why even consider it. You know you will be evicted, and NO, you never get your deposit back. If you get evicted during your lease for violations, the apartment has to be re-rented and landlord withholds your deposit to cover the time when no one is in your apartment until it is re-rented.

Answer 6

Actually I have the opposite opinion of the first person, because YOU are the one breaking the rules...not the landlord. If you are in breach of the contract then the landlord isn't going to be doing you any favors.



That being said, if the dog doesn't do damage then it's hard to charge you. If you have a dog in MY place then you've signed an agreement that I retroactively have your rent increased. So, not only would you not get your deposit back, but you'd still owe me money. If you've agreed to a rent increase then there's not a whole lot you can do.

Answer 7

Get a new place. Your landlord sounds like a dikchead.