How to Hide a Dog From a Landlord If Needed
Dogs are man’s best friend, but not your landlord’s best friend – for obvious reasons. We don’t recommend hiding your dog from your landlord for a number of reasons, but if you’re going to, do it wisely.
Why hide the dog?
Maybe you got a new apartment in a hurry, didn’t have the luxury of being choosy, signed on the first fad, you could have avoided becoming a bum, but ended up in a place where your dog is not allowed. with you. Maybe your great aunt died and bequeathed her beloved dog to you. Maybe your roommate got a dog without telling you, or you saw an adoption ad that just broke your heart so you acted without thinking. The facts of the case don’t matter: you have a dog and you live in a rent that doesn’t allow them.
There are two kinds of restrictions on dogs: your landlord may categorically ban them or charge you if they know you have them. Then there are three types of fees, pet deposits are usually refundable and pet fees are not, but the latter are usually only paid once. The pet fee is more like an entry fee, while the pet deposit is meant to pay for any damage caused by the pet, just like a regular rental deposit. If your dog doesn’t scratch the place and pee on the carpet, you’ll get your money back.
And then there’s pet rent, which is exactly what it sounds like: the monthly rent you pay just to keep your dog in an apartment or property. Pet rental may vary depending on your location, number of pets, and pet types. A rabbit or cat probably won’t cost you as much as your big dog.
So how do you hide a dog?
First of all, we can’t overstate how little we actually recommend doing this. If your landlord arrests you, you may be forced to choose between your stable and your pet, face trial, or owe tons of money. Besides, living in secret is no fun for your dog. Going out for walks under cover of night, getting reprimanded for barking, and even just getting vibes from you that something is wrong is not the best time for your four-legged friend. Imagine if you suddenly need to take them to the vet. In a panic about their health, will you remember to carefully hide them under the covers when you run out into the street? Is this delay fair to them?
In any case, here are some tips:
- Set a precedent for repairs and visits. Clearly (but kindly) tell your landlord what time you work, what time you’re home, and that you’d prefer to always be notified in advance before he pays a visit or sends maintenance staff. Don’t be rude, but make it clear that you’re paying for your space, and while you respect their technical ownership of it, you’re uncomfortable when people enter your apartment all of a sudden or when you’re not there. Then pray that your landlord will take such good care of your wishes.
- Try to get a hypoallergenic dog. If your neighbor has allergies and starts sneezing nonstop one day, seemingly out of nowhere, it doesn’t take long for him to realize that he’s only experiencing symptoms at home. They can contact the landlord and an investigation can begin. If your pet literally disgusts another paying tenant, your landlord won’t be particularly forgiving or will most likely let him go.
- Try asking permission. This, of course, can go wrong and your landlord finds out that you already have a dog, but you can try asking if you can theoretically get one. Offer to pay a commission up front. You never know until you try.
- Keep all your dog-related things in one place. Designate a dedicated drawer for your pet’s toys, treats, blankets, brushes, and food. You can’t throw dog litter around because you don’t know when your landlord (or snitch) might come by.
- Keep a box in the bathroom. If space permits, put a dog crate in the bathroom. Even if your landlord stops by unexpectedly, you won’t be suspicious of wanting to keep the bathroom door closed during his visit. Put an occupying quiet toy in the crate and pray that your dog doesn’t bark. For extra noise cancellation (and believability as to why the door is closed), have a roommate or partner come in and turn on the shower.
- Make sure your dog is well trained. If your dog is aggressive or hyperactive, this will not work. Just accept it now. Work on training, but if your dog doesn’t catch on quickly, you may need a new plan.
- Take the dog sooner or later. We hope you don’t like sleeping at home or staying up late because you can’t take your dog to the bathroom in the middle of the day. Imagine that you ran into your landlord or gossip neighbor. Purchase pee pads for daytime use and train your dog for walks early in the morning and late in the evening. Yes, and if – or rather, when – your pet goes to the bathroom on your floor, immediately remove it. Leave no immediate or lasting trace of the fact that you ever had a dog in this area.
- Get an accomplice. A friend who lives nearby, or maybe even a like-minded neighbor, should know what you’re up to in case the landlord drops by for a long time or you have maintenance scheduled for a few days. Take your dog to their home and don’t forget to pay them for their services. (We didn’t say it would be cheap.)
- Consider going the emotional support route for animals. The Fair Housing Amendment Act guarantees you the right to an emotional support animal, no matter what your property rules dictate. You can’t even be forced to pay a fee or deposit for an ESA. Online services like Support Pets are fast and will help you get medical certification in your state.
What to do if you are caught with a dog
If you get caught, you can try a few different things. You can play dumb and say you didn’t know pets weren’t allowed (even though it’s almost certainly clearly stated in the lease you signed). You may repent and even offer to pay a commission or rent a pet. You can just walk away, especially if your landlord tells you to choose between a pet and your accommodation – just make sure they’re willing to break the lease over this, and you won’t pay for two apartments until it expires.
Know the laws in your area, as they can help you a lot if you get caught. In New York City , for example, a landlord waives their right to enforce the no-pets clause if the tenant kept their pet “open” and “knowingly” or the landlord knew (or should have known) about the pet for at least three months. This means, however, that you should not hide your pet, but rather let your landlord see it and hope they don’t bring it in for three months after that. Under the same law, if a landlord doesn’t initiate legal action — yes, legal action — to enforce the clause, he again waives his right to enforce it. If you are taken to court, make sure you have a detailed record of all times you have been seen with a dog by your landlord, gatekeeper, neighbors, and maintenance staff.
Laws vary from place to place, so you need to find yours right away. Obviously, there are risks here: you could go to court, get kicked on your ass, have to give up your dog, pay a lot of money, or just make your pet’s life – and your own – miserable. Again, everyone’s circumstances are different, so do what you have to do.