Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in New York

I recently moved into an apartment complex, and I was not informed until after we moved in that they are charging a yearly pet fee. They want $300 per pet per year. We have already paid a security deposit and a extra pet deposit to assure against any damages that may occur. There are no accommodations provided for animals (they unofficially have an area where dog's can make and there are poop bags there, but there is no clean up provided in this area for those who leave stuff behind), there is no separate area for the dogs or anything like that. Cats are not even allowed to be outdoors so there is really nothing being provided fro them at all. All in all they want to collect $600 per year for simply having an animal and providing nothing for them. If we had another child we don't get a fee, but a pet we do? Sounds like discrimination to me along with the fact they are taking money from us for nothing.

Anyway, what are the laws regarding this and what can we do about it?


Asked on 5/26/11, 9:35 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Markowitz Michael A. Markowitz, PC

You would have to look toward your lease agreement for an answer to the question. If the lease agreement states that the apartment complex may charge a fee and you are responsible for payment, then you must pay the fee.

As for discrimination, unless the pet was used to aid an individual with a handicap, you are out of luck.

Mike.

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Answered on 5/27/11, 6:03 am


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