Renting with Chameleons

[Olimpia]

Fellow renters - the people who have a couple chameleons (and perhaps other reptiles too), how you work around the issue of your pets when living at a rented apartment or house? Do you tell management you have them or lie? Have you not been allowed to move in because of them?

I lived in an apartment with all our snakes, geckos, and beardies, and never actually said anything to the ladies in charge because we didn't have them when we moved in. And then when we had a lot of them we started trying to hide them a bit, and then eventually we sectioned off an entire piece of living room with a 7' room divider to keep them all out of sight for the rare times someone from management had to come in.

Now I'm in a house with a great landlord, but I'm moving out again into an apartment and since I have a lot of places to choose from I think I'm just going to come out and mention the chameleons (I can hide the geckos! lol) upfront this time. And then go with whoever doesn't chase me out with a stick.

So fellow renters - have you told your landlords and/or management about your animals, and if yes, how did it go? Do they require anything extra because you have chameleons/reptiles (pet deposits, etc.)?

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

Shhhhh... keep it a secret..

I follow a strict don't ask don't tell policy.

 

[Olimpia]

Lol! It's what I've been doing, but it stresses me out! Especially in a little apartment, there's only so much space to hide 3-4 large cham cages!

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

Lol! It's what I've been doing, but it stresses me out! Especially in a little apartment, there's only so much space to hide 3-4 large cham cages!

I know what you mean. I own my condo but always wonder what they would say if the saw what I had. I read the rules and it said a reasonable amount of animals or something. I took that as 300. LOL

 

[draetish]

Don't breath a word about it. If you even mention reptile, they freak and think you have a 5ft snake. Plus I have found that "all" apartments forbid reptiles. You are way better off not mentioning it and keeping them low key. If after you move in and they are discovered, you will have a better chance of them being accepted and a deal between you and mgmt.

 

[Olimpia]

I know what you mean. I own my condo but always wonder what they would say if the saw what I had. I read the rules and it said a reasonable amount of animals or something. I took that as 300. LOL

That's terrible! lol My last contract didn't allow any pets that weren't registered with the office, including insects and parasites! ("And this flea here is Bob...") So I don't know if it's just easier to register at least the four chameleons, just in case they want to use them as a reason to kick me out later for whatever reason.

You know how apartments are. It's like the dog breed restriction thing, they won't just list the breeds they don't allow just so they can pick and choose them later to get rid of you if they don't like you. "Oh no, sorry, we don't allow giant poodles. Tough luck!"

 

[Olimpia]

Don't breath a word about it. If you even mention reptile, they freak and think you have a 5ft snake. Plus I have found that "all" apartments forbid reptiles. You are way better off not mentioning it and keeping them low key. If after you move in and they are discovered, you will have a better chance of them being accepted and a deal between you and mgmt.

I know, people hear reptile and panic. I think that I might go to an apartment complex I don't really plan on applying to and ask them. Test the reaction, I guess? I think maybe "chameleons" don't strike up as much fear as "reptiles" which is obviously way more vague?

 

[draetish]

I know, people hear reptile and panic. I think that I might go to an apartment complex I don't really plan on applying to and ask them. Test the reaction, I guess? I think maybe "chameleons" don't strike up as much fear as "reptiles" which is obviously way more vague?

It's worth a shot, but my experience is that they will say it is a reptile and they don't allow it. I found that out the hard way. Good Luck!

 

[james L]

You have to tell them I think. What happens if the landlord finds out and then you get evicted. Then you and your pets are homeless....... Find a place that will allow to have them or buy your own place so its not even a problem. Thats what my ol' lady and I did.

 

[dreamforthedead]

I'm going to be having this problem too, im going to be a big girl and fly the nest soon. LMAO. I've no idea if i should tell my landlord i have a chameleon, crested gecko, hamster, chile rose, guinea pig and a dog. Hmmm

 

[Olimpia]

Hmmmm it's a tricky decision lol I'm not sure what to do!

 

[xanthoman]

apt chameleons

Shhhhh... keep it a secret..

I follow a strict don't ask don't tell policy.

i agree, you tell a perspective land lord you keep reptiles and the first thing they are going to ask is what does it eat?, and as soon as you say bugs , that will be a deal breaker for most land lords. heres a laugh, my 14 unit apt had a prob with american cockroaches, and sent an unanounced exterminator to all of the units, i had to move my roach colony out of the bathroom so he could treat, he found a cricket on top of the water heater and niether him or the landlord (who was with him)went into the bedroom where i had five adult chameleons, a dozen babies, my roach bin, a tank of 2 week crickets, two different mantis populations, horn worms, and a butload of fruit flies. i am sure if he had found out, he would have freaked, but they were gone 5 min later without a clue. and to top it off, i live right next door to the manager.

 

[Olimpia]

i agree, you tell a perspective land lord you keep reptiles and the first thing they are going to ask is what does it eat?, and as soon as you say bugs , that will be a deal breaker for most land lords. heres a laugh, my 14 unit apt had a prob with american cockroaches, and sent an unanounced exterminator to all of the units, i had to move my roach colony out of the bathroom so he could treat, he found a cricket on top of the water heater and niether him or the landlord (who was with him)went into the bedroom where i had five adult chameleons, a dozen babies, my roach bin, a tank of 2 week crickets, two different mantis populations, horn worms, and a butload of fruit flies. i am sure if he had found out, he would have freaked, but they were gone 5 min later without a clue. and to top it off, i live right next door to the manager.

Definitely, the bug thing is a huge problem. You got lucky though!

 

[radstusky]

I also rent, and my "standard" lease does say that I need to get permission to have pets. This is of course to protect the landlord, and in my opinion, refers mostly to having a dog that might damage the property. When I moved in I didn't have any pets, but I've added two cats, two gerbils, an aquarium, a snake, and now two chameleons. Of course I never told the landlord and nor did I try to hide it. My cat is declawed and so won't do damage to the floor or anything, and having a terrarium pet is kind of like having an aquarium. I don't think you have to get permission to have an aquarium and likewise you shouldn't need permission for a reptile. Of course, every landlord is different. Over the years I've lived in apartment complexes and also in individual apartments and I've absolutely never come out to tell them I had a reptile as a pet.

My advice is to not tell them, and just presume that it's ok. Or you could ask them what kind of pets they're worried about. When I first moved to New England, almost every single place said no pets, but I moved here with a chameleon and a cat and sometime the cat was a problem, but the chameleon wasn't a problem since he lived in his terrarium. It's kind of like having an aquarium, fish are usually not considered to be pets by landlords.

Or if you can find a place that says pets ok, or cats are ok, you should have no problems! Good luck.

 

[robmd1]

I know what you mean. I own my condo but always wonder what they would say if the saw what I had. I read the rules and it said a reasonable amount of animals or something. I took that as 300. LOL

lmfao i bout spit coke allover the keyboard when i read this "reasonable"...you have the best zoo goin ryan tiff dont wanna go the reg zoo she wants to come an see lisa an you, bye the way shes buggen bout it again says you have new things she wants to see lol...

 

[Ryan Jarosek]

lmfao i bout spit coke allover the keyboard when i read this "reasonable"...you have the best zoo goin ryan tiff dont wanna go the reg zoo she wants to come an see lisa an you, bye the way shes buggen bout it again says you have new things she wants to see lol...

You are welcome anytime !

 

[jannb]

When I house hunted with my daughter for grad school we told people about her pets......10+ reptiles and a cat. Most people didn't care about the chameleons but we had a hard time finding one that would allowed a cat. We had to pay a $200.00 deposit for the cat but the landlord said no deposit for the chams.

 

[radstusky]

When I house hunted with my daughter for grad school we told people about her pets......10+ reptiles and a cat. Most people didn't care about the chameleons but we had a hard time finding one that would allowed a cat. We had to pay a $200.00 deposit for the cat but the landlord said no deposit for the chams.

Exactly like I was saying too! They usually don't care. Although I probably wouldn't mention that you may have a tub full of roaches to feed to the chameleon! That might not go over too well!

 

[Monkeykungphu]

I would think most places would consider a reptile kept in a cage/aquarium more like a fish type animal than a dog or cat. Pet deposits are usually because many dogs/cats will go potty on the carpet.

I wouldn't bring up the roaches/feeders though.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

I was honest about my english bulldog. Kinda hard to hide a 40lb ball of fur. But I didnt say anything about the chams. They can cause no harm.