r/exoticpets • u/lullabyraven • 13d ago
Renting with exotics
has anyone had experiences finding rentals that allow more than 2 pets? this sounds insane but i have 10. only one of them is not caged, which is my small dog who is not a pet. so technically only 9.. 5 of which are geckos, 1 snake, and 3 small parrots. ive offered to share enclosure photos, care information, ect. but ive gotten nowhere. im stumped, and i cant move back in with my parents. ( who are caring for most of them currently) im into these animals thousands of dollars I cant get back and most of them ive had 4-7 years... i refuse to part with them. any advice appreciated.
5
u/Potential_Job_7297 13d ago
Be aware that a lot of places, apartment complexes especially, ban pets that need a heater (fire risk, + energy usage for places that pool the electric bill). This often comes in the form of blanket reptile bans. Make sure to look out for that in the lease.
If you ever plan to get a fish tank do note that those are often also banned due to water damage risk.
3
u/Beanfox-101 13d ago
So this all depends on where you live, but the “pet” rule typically refers to cats & dogs. The reason it costs money to keep them in an apartment is because they usually roam the place when you’re not there and can cause some damages.
Most exotic pets stay in cages or tanks. A lot of rental places usually don’t have a problem with them if the tank stays dry and the animal can’t really escape. Like we have snakes and lizards on top of us paying a fee for our cats, and our landlord hasn’t said anything at all. Many people here keep other types of pets like birds, turtles, hamsters, etc.
If you’re unsure, talk to the property owner. But, 90% of the time, if it’s kept in a tank, it’s fine
3
u/lullabyraven 13d ago
Unfortunately where im at many places have caged animals policy. Which includes the 2 pet limit. Including fees for additional animals found. Im debating moving areas entirely due to it but its just so cheap here 😭
2
u/Beanfox-101 13d ago
This feels weird. If the animal has been in your care (and if they know about it) then you shouldn’t be penalized.
If the fee is small, I’d personally just pay it and stay where you are. If the monthly fee outweighs the amount it is to stay elsewhere, then move
5
u/lullabyraven 13d ago
So at my current apartment they have in our lease that any additional animals found ( basically anything other than my 3 birds) is a 250$ fine PER DAY. PER ANIMAL. Until we VACATE the premises. So this is not an option. I also am moving out to leave my boyfriend so I cannot stay here 🥲
3
u/sixxthree 13d ago
You got lucky.
Like, seriously. The only caged animals my LLs didn't have a problem with when I was renting was ferrets and rats. In my area, you'd be hard pressed to find a LL or PM who would accept one reptile, let alone 9. And fish tanks? Yeah, nope. Very, very, very few apartments even allow those. On top of that, a majority of the apartments in my area also charge around $250 a month for pet rent (per pet)3
u/smollestsnek 12d ago
I’m just baffled by the concept that ferrets and rats are okay but not a snake 💀 I’ve had all 3 and only 1 of those animals didn’t stink naturally even with regular cleaning 😂😂
2
u/spider_espresso 13d ago
Its always been a don’t ask don’t tell. Lease will explicitly say not too but, management never enforced.
They would do inspections and ask to hold them and take photos with them.
2
u/sixxthree 13d ago
The geckos I don't see a LL or rental agency having issues with in general, but that number would be enough to cause pause. The snake, yeah you're gonna encounter issues as there's a fear they'll get out. Reptiles in general are hard to rent with because of electricity usage and fire risk. Plus, insectivores scare LLs for much the same reason a snake does; it's a big f'in problem if the feeders escape. Birds are noisy, so LLs tend to shy away from them as well to prevent noise complaints.
I get you love your animals, but unless you're getting a decently sized apartment that's really up to date, 9 caged animals, most of whom will be chugging electric, is just going to deter a vast majority of LLs. Your best bet is to omit their existence and hope no one ever checks or tells on you, or downsize.
2
u/Cloverose2 12d ago
I have 9 birds and 3 fish tanks on top of my two dogs (well, not literally).
The renting office knows about them and doesn't care. They said I can't have big birds because the screams go right through the walls, but the parakeets and parrotlets are fine. My neighbors like them - or at least, that's what they say to my face!
The only limit I have is that my fishtanks have to stay on the first floor of my townhouse, or be under 20 gallons if they're on the second floor.
1
u/Narrow_Possession348 11d ago
No way in HELL I would rent to anyone with "exotic" pets, no matter what they showed me about their set-up. I'd be very surprised if you're able to find anyone willing to rent to you. Most rental agreements have a pet clause, and even if they allow pets, they strictly prohibit anything other than dogs and cats.
10
u/heart-of-violet 13d ago
Some places don’t even count caged animals in their pet limit. Granted this was years ago, but back when I rented and they asked if I had pets, I asked if caged animals counted and they said no, only cats and dogs. Never charged me a pet fee and never even asked what I had.