Vintage Realty Company is proud to preserve the bond between
responsible pet
owners and their companion animals by instituting a pets-welcome
policy for its
multifamily communities. We realize that responsible pet caregivers
— those who are
good neighbors and whose pets are well cared for — are more
likely to be contented,
long-term residents of our community. It is the goal of this policy
to provide well-
defined pet-keeping policies or effective guidelines to identify
responsible pet
caregivers.
Pets-Welcome
Policy
Vintage Realty Company welcomes you and your pet(s) to your new
home. Pets
deserve a lifetime of responsible caretaking and residents of our
community deserve
to reside free of problems caused by irresponsible pet-owning
residents.
Screening / Registration
Pet caregivers must complete a Pet Application, obtain approval for
residency during a successful Pet Interview and pay Pet Fees prior
to their pet(s) occupying the apartment. If the pet is a dog or a
cat, a current photograph should be attached to the Pet
Application. This photograph will be useful should it become
necessary to identify the animal during an emergency. The Property
Manager will present a copy of the Pets-Welcome Policy and Animal
Addendum to the Lease Contract to the resident for review and
signature.
Permissible Pets
Only dogs and cats no less than six (6) months of age will be
considered for occupancy. There is a two (2) animal limit per
apartment. It is recommended that all dogs and cats must be spayed
or neutered, but it is not required. All breeds must be approved in
advance of occupancy during the Pet Interview with the Property
Manager. Aggressive or disruptive animals will not be
allowed regardless of breed or weight. The following
breeds will not be accepted for occupancy:
- Chow Chow
- Rottweiler
- Doberman Pinscher
- Pit Bull
- German Shepherd
Note: Mixed breed animals are classified according to which
breed the animal most resembles in appearance and
behavior.
Pet Deposits/Fees
1 – 50 lbs, full-grown weight =
$300, $100 refundable
Pet rent = $10/month
*Per pet (limit 2).
Responsibilities of
Pet Ownership
1. All cats
and dogs must be kept under the control of their owners at all
times.
2. Dog
caregivers are required to pick up immediately after their dogs and
to dispose of
waste in designated ‘Pet Waste” containers.
3.
Responsible pet owners maintain flea-free pets using the many safe
and effective
products available through veterinarians. The community reserves
the right to have
the premises professionally treated (at the pet caregiver’s
expense) in the event
there is evidence of fleas after the resident has vacated the
premises.
4.
Cats are NOT required to be declawed.
Restrictions
1. Pets may
not be kept, bred, or used for any commercial purpose. All cats and
dogs
must be spayed or neutered by six months of age unless the
procedure is deemed
medically unsafe by a veterinarian.
2. Pets must
be confined to the pet owner’s apartment home and must not be
allowed
to roam free or be tethered. Pets must not be left unattended on
patios or balconies.
Pets in transit are to be carried, restrained by a leash, or placed
in an animal carrier.
3. Persons
who walk pets are responsible for immediately cleaning up after
their
animals and discarding securely bagged pet droppings in designated
“Pet Waste”
containers. Pet owners will be fined $25 per violation of this
restriction. Please do
not dispose of cat litter down toilets.
4. Pet
caregivers are responsible for any damage caused by their pets. Any
damage
caused by cleaning chemicals or other such materials used in an
attempt to remedy
said damage is also the full responsibility of the pet owner.
5. No pet
will be allowed to become a nuisance or create any
unreasonable disturbance.
Examples of nuisance behavior for the purposes of this paragraph
are:
a) Pets whose unruly behavior causes personal injury or property
damage.
b) Pets that make noise continuously and/or incessantly for a
period of ten minutes
or intermittently for 1/2 hour or more to the disturbance of any
person at any
time of the day or night.
c) Pets in common areas that are not under the complete physical
control of a
responsible human companion and on a hand-held leash of no more
than six feet
in length or in a pet carrier.
d) Pets that relieve themselves on walls or floors of common
areas.
e) Pets who exhibit aggressive or other dangerous or potentially
dangerous
behavior.
f) Pets that are conspicuously unclean or parasite infested.
6.
Notwithstanding any other provision herein, disabled individuals
may keep
assistance animals in their apartment homes. Furthermore, nothing
will hinder full
access to the apartments and the commons areas by individuals with
disabilities.
7. No
visiting pets allowed.
8. Pet
caregivers will indemnify Vintage Realty Company and hold it
harmless against
loss or liability of any kind arising from their pet(s).
Violation of
Pets-Welcome Policies
If you, your guest, or any occupant violates any rule or provision
of the Animal Addendum (based upon our judgment) and we give you
written notice, you must remove the animal immediately and
permanently from the premises.
Removal of
Animal
In some circumstances, we may allow an animal control officer or
humane society representative to enter the dwelling unit and remove
the animal if, in our sole judgment, you have:
• abandoned the animal;
• left the animal in the dwelling unit for an extended period
time without food or water; or
• failed to care for a sick animal
If you have violated our animal rules or let the animal defecate
or urinate where it’s not
supposed to, you will be subject to eviction and other remedies
under paragraphs 27, 28 or 32 of the Lease Contract.
Liabilities for
Damages, Injuries, Cleaning, Etc.
You and all co-residents will be jointly and severally liable for
the entire amount of all damages caused by the animal, including
all cleansing, de-fleaing, and deodorizing. This provision applies
to all parts of the dwelling unit, including carpets, doors, walls,
drapes, wallpaper, windows, screens, furniture, appliances, as well
as landscaping and other outside improvements. If items cannot be
satisfactorily cleaned or repaired, you must pay for us to replace
them completely. Payment for damages, repairs, cleaning,
replacements, etc. are due immediately upon demand.
As owner of the animal, you’re strictly liable for the
entire amount of any injury that the animal
causes to a person or anyone’s property. You’ll
indemnify us for all costs of litigation and
attorney’s fees resulting from any such damage.
Multiple
Residents
Each resident who signed the Lease Contract must sign the Animal
Addendum to the Lease Contract. You, your guests, and any occupant
must follow all animal rules. Each resident is jointly and
severally liable for damages and all other obligations set forth in
the Animal Addendum, even if the resident does not own the
animal.
General
You acknowledge that no other oral or written agreement exists
regarding animals. The Animal Addendum and the animal rules are
considered part of the Lease Contract. It has been executed in
multiple originals, one for you and one or more for us.
The Pet
Interview
The following is a list of questions used when interviewing
prospective residents with
pets. These questions will assist the Property Manager in getting
to know a resident and
their commitment to providing responsible pet care. It is required
that the Property
Manager meet each pet (especially dogs) prior to obtaining approval
for occupancy. A
well-groomed, well-behaved pet is one of the best signs of a
responsible pet caregiver.
For All Pet Owners
•What types of pets do you have?
•How long have you had your pets?
•Do you have documentation from your
veterinarian that each pet is in good
health and up-to-date on
vaccinations?
•Do you have any written reference
for your pets from your current landlord?
•Have there been any complaints about
your pet at your current address? If so,
have you paid your landlord for all
the damage done?
•Does your pet have any medical or
behavioral problems? If so, what treatment
or training is he receiving?
•May I visit you and your pet after
you move in to see how your pet is adjusting?
•Who will care for your pet when you
are on vacation?
For Cat
Owners
•Has you cat been spayed or
neutered? It is recommended, but not required.
•Do you keep your cat indoors?
Responsible pet caregivers help their cats stay
safe and live longer by
keeping them indoors and away from situations where
they could become a
nuisance
•Does your cat use the litter box
that you provide?
•Does your cat wear a collar with
visible identification?
•Is your cat registered with the
local animal care and control authority (if required
by local law)?
For Dog
Owners
•Has your dog been spayed or
neutered? It is recommended, but not required.
•Is your dog licensed and wearing a
collar with visible identification?
•Is your dog housetrained?
•Do you keep your dog on a leash when
you go for walks?
•How do you clean up your dog’s
waste when walking him?
•Have you and your dog completed a
dog training class?
•How much time does your dog spend
alone each day?
•How often do you treat your dog for
fleas and ticks?
•Has your dog ever bitten anyone?
Are You a Responsible Pet
Owner?
Providing for your pets’ physical needs and caring for them
with love and commitment are the first requirements of responsible
pet owners. But these are not the only requirements. Pet caregivers
cannot be unreasonable or responsibly ignore the impact their
animals can have on neighbors. This is especially true of those
living in multifamily communities. Here are a few common-sense
rules to keep your neighbors happy — and your pet safe.
Responsible Pet
Owners:
•Clean up immediately after
their pets and dispose of the waste in a sanitary manner
•Keep their dogs on leashes at all
times when outside the home
•Help their cats stay safe and live
longer by keeping them indoors and away from
situations where they could become a
nuisance
•Ensure that their dogs or cats are
licensed and outfitted with visible identification at all
times
•Obey local animal nuisance laws
(which generally define “excessive noise” by
any animal as continuous or incessant
for a period of ten minutes, or intermittently for one-half
(1/2)
hour, to the disturbance of
any person at any time of the day or night)
•Spay or neuter their dog or cat to
improve the health and behavior of the animal and to
prevent their animal from
adding to the problem of pet overpopulation
•Maintain an active flea-and-tick
control program so these pests won’t spread to
neighboring apartment homes, the
common areas or public parks. (Please consult your
veterinarian before starting any
flea or tick control program or giving your pet any
medication.)
•Keep pet portfolios that include proof
of licensing, proof of spay or neuter, current
records of vaccinations and
veterinary care, dog training school diplomas, references
from previous landlords, and information
on pet first aid and nearby emergency
veterinary clinics
•Maintain a pet emergency kit
that includes an emergency plan and supplies in the event
the home must be quickly
evacuated because of a disaster.
Moving: Settling into your
New Home with Your Pet
Moving to a new home may be stressful to your pet. So be patient
and understanding and
provide lots of affection. Here are some pointers to help you and
your beloved pet settle in safely and sanely.
Cats
For the first few days in your new home, it’s smart to
confine your cat to one room, while you
work on putting the rest of the place in order. Prepare the room
with your cat’s bed, litter box,
food and water bowls, and toys.
Now is the perfect time to make your cat an indoor-only pet.
Indoor-only cats live longer and
healthier lives. Resist attempts by your cat to go outdoors. If
your cat hasn’t established an
outdoor territory, he or she is less likely to be interested in
going outside. Accessories such as window perches can ease the
transition. If you play with your cat and supply lots of attention,
your cat should have all he or she needs indoors.
Dogs
Ideally, your dog’s introduction to his new home will be with
familiar furniture already in place, including his bed and crate,
toys, and food and water bowls. If you must be away from home for
many hours each day, look into a pet-sitter or consider dog day
care.
Safety
Make your new home safe for all pets by being mindful of, or
providing a secure place for your pet. Hazards to pay special
attention to are as follows:
•poison—such as cleansers, insect sprays and pesticides,
medications, chocolate, certain
plants, and antifreeze
•burn—such as plugged-in appliances, boiling liquids,
open flames
•electrocute—such as worn lamp cords
•strangle, choke, or obstruct breathing—such as choke
collars, small balls, sewing thread
and needles, pantyhose, and bones
•topple or crush—such as precariously placed appliances,
top-heavy filing cabinets, and
lamps
•allow escape or theft—such as loose screens and
inadequate fences. Never leave your pet
unattended on a balcony or chained in a yard.
Veterinary Care
As soon as possible, choose a veterinarian and take a practice
drive to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic. Trying to find it
when you really need it in an emergency situation can waste
precious time. Also learn basic pet first aid.
Disasters
Wherever you live, disasters such as fires, floods, earthquakes,
hurricanes, or hazardous-material spills may occur. Make sure you
are prepared for your pet’s safety in case of a disaster.
Start by keeping a list on hand of community animal welfare
resources.
Residency with an Assistive
Animal
Pets of people with disabilities are legally considered
“assistive animals.” It is the policy of
Vintage Realty Company and this community to enable residents with
disabilities unencumbered access to animals of assistance provided
the resident is capable of being an effective pet caregiver. As
such, any and all applicable Pet Deposits, Pet Fees and Pet Rent
will be waived.
The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 applies to virtually all
forms of housing. The federal department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) investigates housing discrimination complaints
under the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title 11 of the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990. If your Property Manager refuses to
acknowledge your right to have an assistive animal, call the HUD
Distribution Center at 800-767-7468 for a referral to the HUD
office nearest you. When you call, also request the free
publication “Residents, Rights, and Responsibilities”
and “The Fair Housing Act.”
You have a right to keep a pet in your apartment if you nave a
disability and complete the
following:
• You can prove that your pet is necessary for health reasons
such as a letter from your
doctor.
• You complete a Pet Application and sign the Animal Addendum
to the Lease Contract
What is a Disability?
The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, and other federal laws
concerning disabilities, define a disability as a physical or
mental impairment of a person that substantially limits one or more
major life activities (for example, walking, seeing, hearing,
speaking, learning, breathing, performing manual tasks, washing,
dressing, preparing food, eating, keeping your home clean, working,
and so on): or a record of having such an impairment (for example,
a disability, such as depression, from which you have recovered: or
being regarded as having such an impairment (meaning that people
treat you as if you have a disability even though you do not).
Sample Letter from a Doctor
“(Name of patient) is my patient and I have diagnosed her /
him with (name of illness /
disability), which limits her / his major life activities of
(include all that apply: walking, seeing,
hearing, speaking, working, or other). I have prescribed emotional
support animals to alleviate her / his problems of (isolation,
loneliness, depression, stress, anxiety, or whatever is
appropriate) resulting from these limitations and to assist (name
of patient) in coping with her / his
(illness/disability).”