Renters and pets

Jan Bergemann of Cyber Citizens For Justice, Inc. states that recently he has noticed association boards passing rules that clearly discriminate against renters: No pets for renters!

Jan states, “If a board -- or association -- passes a rule that disallows pets only for renters, it obviously violates the legislative intent of Florida Statute 718.110(13), enacted in 2004.” The statute reads, “Any amendment restricting unit owners' rights relating to the rental of units applies only to unit owners who consent to the amendment and unit owners who purchase their units after the effective date of that amendment.”

Jan continues, “This restriction is already debatable in itself, but then add the above provision that was enacted to protect owners' rental rights. If a board -- or association -- passes a rule that disallows pets for renters ONLY, it obviously violates the legislative intent of the above provision. It makes it even harder for owners to find renters, since it eliminates -- according to statistics -- about 50% of the prospective renters. An owner who rents out his unit still pays the full monthly maintenance fees, so why should the renter have restricted rights -- less rights than owners who pay the same fees? What's next? Renters can't use the pool and/or the gym?”

Citizens for Pets in Condos believes that all people who live in association-run housing should be permitted to have companion animals, with reasonable guidelines. The same guidelines should cover both owners and renters. According to Jan, “Renters normally take over the rights and responsibilities of the unit owners, although it is the unit owner’s ultimate responsibility to pay for any damages to the unit and to common areas, including any damage caused by pets. It is up to the individual unit owners to decide whether or not they are willing to take on this added financial responsibility by renting out their unit(s), and it is up to the individual unit owners to work out terms with the renters in case of damages.” We do NOT think it appropriate for association boards to overly control what individual owners do with their units.

In general: A Board should not be PETulant, PETty, and PETrified with fear over the thought of allowing pets in condos.