by Simonne Liberty

Created on: July 21, 2009   Last Updated: July 23, 2009

Landlords are unreasonable and greedy, when they charge extra for tenants to have pets. Some of them can charge up to $500.00 for a flat fee, and then up to $50.00 or more per month to keep a house pet. This is outrageous. Years ago a lot of landlord refused to rent to families who had children. A law was passed where they could not discriminate against children. (Except under special conditions, like senior citizen complexes, etc.) If a family has a house pet, that pet is no different than having a child. But landlords want to profit off this opportunity.

Senior citizens, or people who have had a pet for several years, consider that pet a member of the family. They can not just take it to a shelter to get rid of it, or put it to sleep, simply because they can not afford the extra fees for rent. Service dogs for the blind, and other physical impairments, are by law, allowed to live in an apartment no matter where the tenant lives. No one disputes that this is a good thing. The tenant needs the animal in order to live independently and safely.

Companion dogs for the elderly work the same way. Most elderly live alone. Having a dog gives them the security they need to feel safe. Dogs keep the elderly from becoming depressed or lonely. Many seniors have revealed that if they had not had their pet, they would had committed suicide. Their pet gives them reason to live.

Dogs need to be walked. This is a great asset in getting seniors to exercise. It helps to keep them healthy. These are all positives reasons for a senior to have a dog. When a dog is safe, secure and loved, that dog seldom barks unless its for a good reason to warn their master of something. It is only when a dog is tied up in the back yard, and neglected by humans, that they will keep barking and disturb the neighbors.

It makes sense that dogs should be licensed and have all their shots. It is also reasonable that a tenant should be required to clean up the droppings of their pet. But to have to pay an extra fee to be able to keep, them is simply unreasonable and greedy of landlords. Landlords are not charged extra fees to keep THEIR pets, by the mortgage companies or banks. Tenants should have the same type of freedom as landlords do when having a pet. It would be nice if the laws against discrimination were made to allow dogs, as they are for children.

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