Moving from KY to FL, have job but no one will rent to me? (rentals, cheaper)

[Archeology]

Alright, I have a very odd set-up. I live with my mum, she is disabled, has more seizures than a cat has hair some days. With that lovely disorder she has a service animal, a 150lb lab, sure a little over weight but my mom and the vet are working on helping the working do drop some pounds. He is nearing five years old and his hips are hurting him a little, so even when she takes him out to exercise him, he just don't run like he used to. A lot of people see her in the backyard playing with him and automatically think house pet and not a service animal. He is a lab and she does not use him for sight, he just tells her when she will have another seizure or he gets the attention of someone if she has one. In other words he protects her, when needed.

Yet no one will rent, they all say sorry No Pets! and that is that. I have tried to explain that I'll pay extra for the dog, but that has been a no go. In reality I don't think I should have to pay extra for a service dog.

It is kinda funny, because a little over three years ago, my mom other service dog was getting too old (hence the new one), the condo where my parents lived at allowed them to have the dog even though they where not allowed, as they rented and didn't own. No extra money needed to be had and most the residents of the complex had no problem and thought the idea of a seizure dog was really cool.

Another thing that I have ran into problems with, is the two kids that also live with me. They are my sisters, but she isn't all too keen on raising them right now. I say the word children and folks clam up faster than when I say I got a dog! I think they'd rather have the dog than the kids.

At least I haven't told them about the fact that my mom smokes (she is working on quiting, but with her husband passing away within the last year, that has been a struggle). She does smoke outside, as she does not see the point of having the whole house smell of it.


I don't know, I am just having some problems finding a place to rent. I have money, but no one will take it! I have a job, my mom has disability and the children receive my dads, as they where wards of my parents before he passed away. So it isn't like money is a problem.

I sometimes wonder what people are thinking when they put ads up on CL or in the newspaper and when someone finally responds, they try their hardest not to rent out their property.

Well thanks for the moment of your time. I guess it back to the hunt.

[flyonpa]

You might want to check into the Link Below....


AWIC Newsletter: Federal Policies on Access for Service Animals

[Archeology]

Originally Posted by flyonpa

You might want to check into the Link Below....


AWIC Newsletter: Federal Policies on Access for Service Animals

I know about the ADA and the laws that govern Service Animals. I was the one who helped out the condo HOA, when they where presented with the fact that my mom had one. They had never ran into the problem before, so I helped by gathering up the required information and the HOA lawyers and board members helped me and my parents understand the law. Just in case we ran into some problems later on, since it was a two year lease.

The problem I'm having now, is that even when I say that they have to allow her to have the dog, even with a no pet policy, they hang up and never bother to take any more of my calls.

As of now, we live in one of the worst neighborhood, because it was the only place that would even bother to rent to me and my mum because of her Service Animal. It isn't nice to hear gun shots every night and fear that someone may break in. All because my mom requires a dog to alert her and keep her safe after a seizure, as I am unable to be home at all hours.

I am starting to think that it goes deeper than just the dog, they don't wish to rent to someone with seizures. As they see that as a liability or they don't think they'll get their rent money if she goes into hospital for testing and to correct her medication dosage. Even that only happens once every few years, as they are still trying to figure out the best way to control them.

Honestly I wish that I'd just give someone my money, sign a lease, and get a set of keys. As it stands now, normally I'd already have a place to move to in to. I don't have that yet and it has me worried. As I have the money to move, pay the first, last and a deposit. I do not have such funds that will allow me to stay in a hotel for an extended period of time as I try and find someone who understands the laws and somehow has a three bedroom (as of right now, I have found more two bedrooms than I can shake a stick at!)

[stillkit]

Buy a house in a non-HOA neighborhood instead of renting. Then, you can do whatever you like.

[swmrbird]

Have you tried looking for an apartment not from Craigslist? I would imagine craigslist is a little shady anyway and not the best place to look for a reputable landlord...

I'm sure there are places that know to follow the rules and don't discriminate - but they probably don't have to stoop so low as to advertise on CL

[Merjolie8]

Originally Posted by swmrbird

Have you tried looking for an apartment not from Craigslist? I would imagine craigslist is a little shady anyway and not the best place to look for a reputable landlord...

I'm sure there are places that know to follow the rules and don't discriminate - but they probably don't have to stoop so low as to advertise on CL

In my area the primary advertising LLs use to post available properties is CL. It is not shady at all. Its just like the classifieds, only online

Also, if you are looking from afar, CL is great since you can look and contact LL without having to cruise the streets with a notepad taking note of "For Rent" signs or somehow getting a newspaper from a place 1,000 miles away.

OP, I'm with you, finding a 3 BR is not easy. Don't despair, contact everyone and if possible, make a scouting trip to look at several properties at once. Try to find a RE agent that deals with rentals. Where in FL are you moving to?

[jasper12]

You will be able to find a place, just maybe not in the best area. Also, don't ask, don't tell is a good rule. Don't talk about kids, disabled Mom, dog, you just need to verify if you can have a dog with deposit.

Believe me, I had a huge problem finding a place to live, I had a bankruptcy, and house foreclosure, you would think that in these times people would understand bad credit, especially if you have proof of income. Nope. Even though I had cash for deposit and first and last month rent...I finally found a place, basically in the ghetto, that would rent to me.

[Laura707]

Or look into buying a mobile home.... problem solved with the smoking, kids and dog!

[Archeology]

Well I have checked the local paper, they have the same ads as CL. So I am guessing that a lot of places use it.

I have even called up apartments complexes to inquire about apartments that say that they allow dogs. Hell they want far too much information that I'm willing to give out, I tell them which bank I use, but I'm not about to give account numbers. To me that is just crossing a line.

I don't don't have the thousands of dollars needed to buy a home. Also, right now I don't know if I'd want to take that on. Personally, I still have grad school to attend. I'm just trying to help my mom out with my sisters kids.

I already rent in the ghetto, I hear gun shots at night. The other night, the sound of semi-automatics. Really I don't want to live here, that is one of the reason that I'm moving so far away. I'd like to live somewhere safe.

As for buying a mobile home, I have no problem with them and I'm sure they are a hell of a lot cheaper than trying to buy a house. I haven't seen any for sale, normally a lot of time they are for sale by owner and the owner is willing to work with you. That is how my parents bought their first home.

I have come to the conclusion not to say anything. Hell might not even mention the damn dog. As she does have a right to keep it.

[gigimac]

Dear Archeology,
I've almost always had pets back when I used to rent. I ONLY responded to ads for townhouses, duplexes, or homes (in order to have a yard space) that said, "Pets Okay," and if it didn't have that in the ad, I'd call first to find out. If they said "No," I just thanked them and ended the call. Also, one thing you cannot get around is the rental standard that nearly always a pet deposit is needed for the landlord to protect themselves from the typical stuff animals might do to a place, so they can fix whatever. A dog is a dog and does doggie things, no matter if it's a blue-ribbon purebred, a police K-9, or service animal.

Anyway, I always managed to find a good place to live, in a good neighborhood, that allowed dogs and/or cats. It just takes time, that's all, to find suitable "Pets Allowed" properties, and I usually had to look at maybe a dozen places before I found what I was looking for. This would take me several weeks to accomplish. And I think this is the main difficulty for you, is how long it's taking to find something desirable, but that is the way it goes.

I could go on and on with advice, but the best thing you can do to resolve this, is ONLY look at rentals that specifically say, "Dogs Okay," or words to that effect. The fact that you have a job and are taking care of your mother speaks volumes about your desirability as a renter, so since the dog has become an issue, ONLY look at ads that say "Pets Allowed," with no weight or size requirement. Now, I EXPECT to hear back from you soon about the good news that you have finally found a good home to live in, dog, seizures, kids, and all.
GG