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We are in the process of renting out our house that we haven't been able to sell. We got an app on a tenant that checked out well EXCEPT when asked about details on her 2 dogs she left the breed of one blank. Realtor asked for specifics and found it is a Staffordshire terrier mix. I've been googling and it seems it's the fancy name for Pitbull? My biggest concern is my homeowners insurance not allowing/covering for this. We are going to a landlord tenant policy effective their move in date. My ins is closed for the weekend and the tenant wanted to sign lease this weekend. Any advice or insight?
You are telling the insurance company, right? Require them to carry renters insurance covering the dog and insist on meeting the dog to ensure it is friendly. My pitbull loves everyone he meets. They are not bad dogs, they have a bad rep.
You are telling the insurance company, right? Require them to carry renters insurance covering the dog and insist on meeting the dog to ensure it is friendly. My pitbull loves everyone he meets. They are not bad dogs, they have a bad rep.
I will but they won't insure with some breeds. Would it be on our ins or the tenants renters ins? I'm fine with it if we are in no way liable. We are out of state landlords so meeting it isn't possible. The fact that they tried to get it in under the radar bothers me.
I wrote a whole post, then changed my mind. I was going to say you could put a clause in the contract that they'll have to move if the insurance company doesn't approve the dog.
But the problem with that, is that you put yourself in a liable situation for however long the dog is there. It would basically say that you knew the dog might be dangerous, yet you let them move in anyway. And even if technically, a tenant is responsible, you can bet if someone got hurt, they'd sue you, too.
I think you're going to have to delay them until you get verification from your insurance company that the dog will be covered, to cover yourselves. And as you say, the fact that they hid the dog's breed from you is a huge red flag.
Also, I think you should require photos of the dogs. If they give you fake photos, at least you could show you were trying to be diligent, if anything were to happen.
Is there any way this info is online on your insurance carrier's website? Maybe it lists breeds that are not insurable? If so, maybe you could move ahead this weekend afterall. Or can you call the claims line? That should be open 24/7.
Is there any way this info is online on your insurance carrier's website? Maybe it lists breeds that are not insurable? If so, maybe you could move ahead this weekend afterall. Or can you call the claims line? That should be open 24/7.
I will have dig around. It's with Travelers. I'm pretty sure when we got the HO ins originally they asked specifically if we had a dog and what breed. Makes me think they exclude covering folks with certain breeds.
You could require renter's insurance in the lease.
Sorry to be back and forth. My instinct is to be paranoid about getting sued, but I trust this website (I use their legal books, which are written by lawyers). So, after reading this, and knowing you'd like to move ahead - and you aren't aware of the dog being dangerous - I think you'd be okay if you just required renters insurance from them.
This insurance website has some examples of renter's insurance covering tenants, so landlord won't get sued:
I think most exclude certain breeds and Pitbulls (and Pitbull mixes) are usually at the top of the list. You probably don't want to sign any lease with these folks. To be honest, you probably aren't going to be able to rent to themnif you want to have HO insurance. Hopefully I am wrong, for the dog's sake.
Get confirmation of your policy's exclusions before you sign anything. If your policy doesn't exclude pits, them IF you choose to rent to them, maybe put something in the lease that says you can break the lease and give them 30 days notice if your homeowner's insurance doesn't allow pit bulls. and you are unabe to find comparable insurance. Because maybe your policy changes their rules or maybe you have to get a different carrier but no other carrier will give you a policy due to the pit bull.
Check your county/city laws about Pit Bulls also. Many have rules about fences and such. Last thing you want to hear is that you are required to install a 6' fence due to city rules.
Last edited by sware2cod; 08-16-2013 at 04:38 PM..
Sorry to keep spamming you! But, once I knew you had Travelers, I was able to find an article that says that Traveler's has no breed restrictions. So, looks like you're good to go!
You could require renter's insurance in the lease.
Sorry to be back and forth. My instinct is to be paranoid about getting sued, but I trust this website (I use their legal books, which are written by lawyers). So, after reading this, and knowing you'd like to move ahead - and you aren't aware of the dog being dangerous - I think you'd be okay if you just required renters insurance from them.
This insurance website has some examples of renter's insurance covering tenants, so landlord won't get sued:
Thanks Nomore..I read the first link. This is what concerns me. It's not that a landlord can't be sued..It's that if they are they most likely won't be held liable. I don't think I want the risk of having to fight that battle. I'm just not comfortable moving forward with them without talking to my agent. Sigh...
Tell them they have to wait until you can validate with your insurance. It is their fault for leaving the breed off.
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