Would you understand?

[dreamintwilight]

So...my husband and I secured a place to live next month, but we have a slight problem that could potentially ruin it.

We told our future landlords that we have 2 cats and we really have 3. The realtor that was helping us told us we should say we only have 2 cats because some associations and suburbs around where we live have a 2 pet maximum. Well...the morning of our meeting with the landlords and our realtors the wife asked Alan how many cats we had and she said "Three?" just as Alan said "Two" (which is also what's stated on our lease). And she says, "Oh, two." And later on in the conversation she mentioned she had talked to our current landlord about a different topic. After we had already signed the lease and were driving home, Alan said he realized our current landlord probably told her we had 3 cats, which is why she had said three.

We couldn't help but feel REALLY guilty and dishonest that we hadn't told the truth from the beginning. Especially since we really liked the couple (they are the same age as us and in school). So, Alan and I talked and we decided we're going to tell them the truth even though there might be the possibility that these people could void the lease because of it. We're even offering $150 more for the pet deposit.

So, he left voice mails about an hour ago on the couple's respective cell number's and we haven't heard back from them yet. So, he's starting to worry. And I'm starting to worry (even though I was feeling really confident before that things would work out). I guess I'm hoping that they are reasonable people. I mean we could have continued to deceive them, right?

I don't know...it's driving me nuts now. How do you guys think you would react if you were the landlords?

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Personally, I don't see a big difference between 2 cats and 3. And 2 poorly-behaved cats would be worse than 3 well-behaved cats, so perhaps you just need to clarify that your cats are not destructive (de-clawed or are good about using the scratching post instead of the woodwork, not prone to puking hairballs all over the carpet, etc).

 

[dreamintwilight]

Well, luckily the place has absolutely NO carpet. Our cats are not declawed, but they don't normally scratch hardwoods. So, I think as long as we have a scratching post they'll be fine. They don't typically puke up hairballs either!

I agree with the 3 cats isn't that much of a difference than 2. Just wasn't sure if the fact that we weren't honest about it might be something that would override the actual number of cats. But, like I said...we didn't have to be honest about it and we chose to at the risk of losing the place. So, I'm hoping they take that into consideration!

 

[Keona]

I agree, not much difference btwn 2 and 3 cats...how do they know that according to your landlord you have 3 yet you had planned on finding a new home for the 3rd? I don't think they can make a quick judgement without asking you... Couldn't they have said "we heard you have 3"...to give the potential renter an opportunity to say they were finding a new home for the 3rd or not..? I think they may have been jumping the gun if they turn you down without finding out. I think it is a good thing you have come clean with them. I hope it works out for you and I think the fact you are willing to pay an extra 150.00 deposit is hopeful.

 

[dreamintwilight]

I agree that 3 cats isn't that much of a difference than 2, but some people can be picky, you know?

I have semi good news though! Alan heard back form the husband. In short he said he didn't think it would be a big deal, but of course needs to talk to his wife and will call Alan back later today to confirm.

It sounded like he appreciated the fact that we told them now rather than next month when as they handed us the keys, haha. Alan just told them that our realtor put 2 down and he didn't want to make a scene in front of the realtors, so he didn't say anything at the time. Also, Alan said he's now not sure whether they knew we had 3 cats or not because the husband told Alan that his wife hadn't talked to our current landlord over the phone. They had just heard from each other through voice mails. So, she might have just said 3 by accident. I guess we'll never know! Haha. But we feel good about telling them the truth and hopefully his wife will be just as understanding. Oh and we offered to give them an extra $200 rather than the $150. So, that should make them pretty happy.

 

[teeny5]

Sounds like you will be fine. They sound like pretty reasonable people. Plus, it seems like they think it was just a misunderstanding anyway, so you won't even look like you were trying to get away with anything. Good luck! Tell us what they say.

 

[kenny]

now about that 200 gallon saltwater aquarium and the 4 foot Iguana! :lol2:

 

[David in Seattle]

now about that 200 gallon saltwater aquarium and the 4 foot Iguana! :lol2:

Iguana's dead. The 12 foot python ate him.

 

[dreamintwilight]

Haha, Kenny and David. Well, crisis averted! The wife said it was alright we had 3 cats as well. And they said they'll take $175 instead of the $200. Yay! I'm happy again!

 

[ameslouise]

Honesty always wins eventually. Little white lies always come back to bite you in arse!

 

[dreamintwilight]

Agreed, Amy! Glad it worked out for us.

 

[Jennifer]

Glad it worked out for you but I'll always only have one cat.

 

[dreamintwilight]

Hehe, I love it, Crabby!

 

[katiesue1506]

Well what about this... we are supposed to have a dog under 60 pounds... Lexie happens to be 75. We haven't told anyone how much she weighs yet because no ones asked. They didn't ask even ask at the lease signing. They didn't even ask what breed she was. I'm a little nervous. When anyone asks... she weighs "every bit of 60 pounds"

 

[dreamintwilight]

Maybe you could say she gained a lot of weight, haha. What kind of dog do you have, Katie?

 

[katiesue1506]

A weimaraner I also have a russian blue kitty that Lexie (my weimy) likes to play with.

 

[dreamintwilight]

Aww, weimaraner's are so beautiful! And Russian blues are cute too. We have a kitty that looks like a Russian blue, so we named her Katya! You like your grey-colored animals, huh?

 

[katiesue1506]

Ha, actually yeah... we got our cat because he matched Lexie!

 

[dreamintwilight]

That's awesome! Haha

 

[saidinstouch]

One last thing is to ask if you can sign a new lease or an addendum to the lease that states as an additional condition of the lease you are putting an extra $175 down as a deposit for a 3rd animal that was not previously declared on your lease. That way when you move out, assuming no damage has occurred, you will be able to get your extra pet deposit down in addition to the rest of your deposit.

 

[dreamintwilight]

Well, it's understood our pet deposit won't be refundable. That's how we've always had it work so far, even with our current lease that's about to be up. The security deposit for the house (separate from the pet deposit) will be refundable though based on any non pet-related charges that need to be taken care of.

 

[saidinstouch]

Ah, I'm used to living in California where all security deposits for renting a place have to be 100% refundable. Essentially, any contract that says they are keeping money for cleaning X or replacing Y is a void contract and you can sue them for 3x the money kept if you can prove that X was cleaned to a reasonable standard or that Y was the result of normal wear and tear or was in good condition. If your deposit isn't refundable, then you're set!

 

[Jerman]

Hey lil buddy, I agree with what Ames said. If you always tell the truth, you don't have to remember the details of the white lies. good luck hope this works out well.