Now, you can let the new owners take you to court, try and evict you, for not paying the additional fee for the pet, but continue to pay the base rent. You can try to counter their demand with, that for 2 years they accepted the dog, so in action they were accepting the previous agreement you had with the owner they bought the building from. They can't arbitrarily change the rental agreement now, just so they can charge more rent, especially in a rent control area. They should have said something right after they bought the property if they wanted to charge extra for the pet not on the rental agreement.
This isn't anywhere close to a foregone conclusion, but a judge would have the leeway to do that in an eviction case.
Losing the case (the more probable outcome) would mean an eviction on you record and being escorted out of your unit by sheriffs after 30 some odd days. If you want any hope you'll need a lawyer's opinion, you can try free legal aid in LA, maybe they can help.
Because you are month to month, she can change any of the terms of the lease agreement with only 30 days notice (maybe 60 days in CA, check your laws).
If you had a lease, she'd have to wait until renewal to change the terms.
But, no, there is no such thing as a grandfather clause in this situation. You choices are to pay the fee or give your notice and move somewhere else.
There is only a grandfather clause if you have a written lease with one in it. There isn't any such thing as an automatic grandfather clause.
You are month to month, all they have to do is give a month's notice to change anything. All they have to do is give a month's notice to kick you out too. 2 months if you are in CA b/c you have been there over 1 year. You pay the new rent or you find a new place to live. Period, end of story.
We have no access to your grandfather clause. Without reading your lease how on earth could we know what it sais?
A change in terms like this requires a 30 day notice, so will not go into effect for month. This way, if you disagree with it, you can submit your own 30 day notice, a notice to vacate. You move out and live somewhere that you agree with the terms.
1. Do you have a lease?? If you do, the landlord cannot demand additional fees until your lease expires and it is up for renewal.
2. If you are on a month-to-month, your landlord can ask for a new lease with a 30 day notice. It is up to you to accept or reject it. Rejecting it may mean that you have to move.
A lease only guarantees that your rates and terms will remain the same until the lease expires. A month-to-month only guarantees that for the next 30 days.
In California, non-refundable deposits are illegal. You may consult a lawyer concerning the "pet rent" issue, too.
Good luck
No such thing in renting. If you have a month to month agreement they can legally change ANY terms at any time with proper notice. Fee & rent changes requires a 30 day notice in most states. You either pay the new required amount or you move.
Since you are a month to month tenant, all she needs to do is give you 30 days notice of any increase in rent. She can simply change and say that you now have higher rent rather than calling it Pet Rent.
The landlord is able to add a pet fee to include a pet deposit. The same as the landlord is able to raise the rent.
You are on a month to month tenancy,therefore based on the amount of advance notice required by California to inform you of changes in the rent increase, or other financial matters you are required to comply
Your option, if you do not agree with the financial increase in rent or the pet fee, your option would be to move.
A month to month tenancy is sort of a fluid contract and is able to be changed on short notice by both the tenant and the landlord. State laws impose time frames in which, each party is required to inform the other of potential changes in writing.
A lease would protect you from increases in rent and possibly other legal things, even if there was a change of ownership. You might be required to sign another lease with the name of the new owner, however, it would have to mirror exactly your existing lease of the old landlord.
I hope this has been of some benefit to you, good luck.
"FIGHT ON"
The management has a right to change their pet policy with 30 days notice.
Your LL only has to give you 30 days written notice for *any* change in your month to month rental agreement. Your options are to accept the changes or move.
I live in los angeles and ive been living in my apartment for 7 yrs. 5 yrs ago i asked my then manager if i could get a dog he said yes. Almost 2 yrs ago we changed owners they were well aware we had a dog along with some other tenants, they never had a problem with it. Now 2 days ago they said im going to have to start paying pet rent for my dog!!! Dont i have grandfather clause on this?! Shouldnt i have to pay pet rent IF i decide to get another pet AFTER she has become greedy and decided to charge pet rent? Or shouldnt that only apply only to new tenants? Btw im on a month to month rent. Can somebody with knowledge plz shed some very bright light on this? Thank you
Unless you have a written agreement (even with the old landlord)....you must pay.
