Greedy landlady demands pet rent for couple's cat despite not specifying it in the lease contract: 'You can either pay the fee or not have pets'

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Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Jul 31, 2025 1:00 PM EDT

Cat parents know: when it comes to our feline family, we'll go to the ends of the earth. Whether it's clearing space in a tiny apartment, budgeting for their favorite food, or braving a passive-aggressive group chat just to adopt two bonded fluffballs - we do it all out of love. Because once a cat chooses you, they're not just a pet. They're comfort. They're companionship. They're home.

So when life throws frustrating obstacles (like surprise fees or broken promises), our first instinct is still to fight for them. Not because it's easy, but because we can't imagine life without our cats. This couple here was ready to give a lucky cat a loving forever home. They had the resources, the heart, and even the green light… until one bitter twist tried to claw it all away. But if you've ever loved a cat, you already know - cat people don't give up that easily.

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  • 01
    + Hi Today 7:56 AM I've been corresponding with over email about the fact that we are adopting two cats. He informed me that pet rent is $50 per pet, but when I toured this apartment, you had told me there is no pet rent and that we just needed to let you know when we get a pet so we can change the lease to say we have pets. The no pet rent thing was actually a huge reason we chose this apartment in the first place. Please email. Things change. I understand that things change but it's been less
    via ResponsibilityOk6940
  • 02
    SHE
    via Kaboompics.com from Pexels

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • It’s hard enough for pets in this world without human greed making things worse. In this case, one landlady’s broken word didn’t just cause stress for the couple - it nearly derailed the cat's chance at a forever home. Sometimes the cost of greed is paid in pawprints.

  • 03
    My partner and I are adopting two cats so I reached out to our landlord. She had told us there's no pet rent, and we just
    via ResponsibilityOk6940
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10535502592
    via Syda Productions

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 05
    need to let her know if we ever get a pet so she knows and can adjust our lease. I
    via ResponsibilityOk6940
  • 06
    looked over the lease and unfortunately there's nothing in writing that talks about pet rent. But
    via ResponsibilityOk6940
  • 07
    I'm pred offfffffff. How should I handle this? I feel like there's nothing I can do because it's just her word against mine at this point.
    via ResponsibilityOk6940
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10535503872
    via 89Stocker

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 09
    Last Society_177. Does the lease say anything about pet rent? If you have it in writing and the lease doesn't say there is any charge, they can't just add up a la carte.
    via Last_Society_177
  • 10
    A lease is a contract for both sides. He is also bound by it 38 ..
    via Last_Society_177
  • 11
    ResponsibilityOk6940 OP ⚫ Under pets the only thing it says is that if we're caught with an unauthorized pet our rent goes up 10%. Nothing about actual pet rent
    via ResponsibilityOk6940
  • 12
    Legitimate_Log_9550 • Then this is a pretty straight forward situation. A lease is a legally binding agreement for both parties. They can't just decide to charge pet rent if there's no clause in the lease agreement.
    via Legitimate_Log_9550
  • 13
    SolarPowered Bean • With that kind of stipulation there's nothing you can do. No pets were authorized at the beginning of the lease. You can either pay the fee or not have pets. $100 is cheaper than 10% of your rent anyway.
    via SolarPoweredBean
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    Cheezburger Image 10535503104
    via Vlada Karpovich from Pexels

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  • 15
    Prestigious Fly8210 ⚫ ATP, the landlord can simply say no and not authorize the pets. They can't change the terms of the lease except by mutual agreement. They're basically asking you to agree to pet rent. You can negotiate it, or refuse it but then they'll refuse the pet. Your choice.
    via Prestigious_Fly8210
  • 16
    youknowimright25 ⚫ He can't change the lease during the lease. Do not pay it.
    via youknowimright25
  • 17
    2djinnandtonics ⚫ But they're changing the terms of the lease by adding pets.
    via 2djinnandtonics
  • 18
    youknowimright25 • They can't do that. Its illegal. They have to have your sign a whole new lease. And you don't have to sign a new lease until your other lease is over
    via youknowimright25
  • 19
    LindsaylsBoring • They can't charge the pet rent but they can refuse to authorize the pets and then raise the rent 10% as per the lease.
    via LindsaylsBoring
  • 20
    Cheezburger Image 10535503616
    via Imageblend

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 21
    MessageMelfCurious ⚫ Unfortunately because the lease does not say what the pet rent is (even though you have no pets) it can be determined now. Makes your landlord a terrible person but its not illegal
    via MessageMelfCurious

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bad landlords feud cat landlord entitlement drama pets greed lease landlords felines bad landlord couples feline greedy pet entitled Cats money entitled people couple
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