Pet Policy

SECTION 1. DEFINITION OF PET AND NUMBER PER UNIT

A common household pet is defined as a domesticated animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, rodent (including a rabbit), fish or turtle that is traditionally kept in the home for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes. Common household pet does not include reptiles (except turtles). Aquariums cannot be larger than 3 gallons. No other type of pet will be permitted. Any other pet will be refused registration. Dogs cannot weigh more than 25 pounds, cats cannot weigh more than 15 pounds. No dangerous or intimidating pets, i.e., pit-bull dogs, rottweilers or Doberman pinchers, will be permitted.

Only one four-legged, warm-blooded pet, is permitted, in a unit. Only one aquarium is permitted in a Unit. Only one bird cage is permitted in a Unit.

SECTION 2. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED PRIOR TO ADMISSION

No less than ten (10) days before pet is to be brought into the building, such pet must be registered with the Landlord by the Tenant delivering to the Landlord the completed Pet Registration form attached as Exhibit I. Registration must show type of pet, recent picture, name, age, and if applicable, license number and current inoculation information, name and address of pet’s veterinarian, plus a signed responsibility card showing the name of three (3) persons to call to come get the pet in the event of the Tenant’s illness or death (see Section 3). Pet registration must be updated annually by January 31st. If the Tenant is currently a resident who already has fish or birds, the Tenant may keep the pets they have now but will be required to fill out a registration form and responsibility card and identify the type of pet with the office within 30 days of the effective date of this Pet Policy.

If the Tenant fails to provide complete pet registration information or fails to update the pet registration annually by January 31st , the pet will not be permitted on the Premises. Furthermore, if Landlord reasonably determines, based on a pet application or the Tenant’s housekeeping habits and practices or the Tenant’s health, that such person will be unable to comply fully with all of these Pet Regulations, the pet will be denied registration admission. A notice in accordance with Section 10 will be sent to the Tenant stating the basis for Landlord’s determination.

SECTION 3 REQUIRED UPDATE OF REGISTRATION

Each pet’s registration must be updated once each year at the time of the annual re-certification, and no later than January 31^st annually. Updated annual registration will include:

Verification that the pet’s license is in effect and has been renewed for the current year;
The Dog or Cat must be brought to the management office each year to be photographed;
Proof of any inoculations that are required for such pet, that all shots are current; and
Proof of annual veterinary care.

At this time, the Pet Responsibility Card will be reviewed with the Tenant to see that the 3 persons listed are still correct and that there has been no change in either address or phone number.

SECTION 4. PET RESPONSIBILITY CARD

Prior to pet admission, the Tenant must fill in and sign a written responsibility form in the form set forth on Exhibit II showing the name, address, and phone number of three (3) local persons who will come and get the pet in the event of the Tenant’s illness, vacation, or death. The responsibility form must be renewed each year by February 15^th at the same time the pet’s registration is updated.

SECTION 5. SECURITY DEPOSIT

Unless otherwise proscribed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a Pet Security Deposit will be required of dog and cat owners in the amount of $300.00. The Tenant has two options for paying this security deposit as follows:

a: The Tenant may pay an initial deposit of $50.00 upon signing the lease and pay the balance due in monthly installments of $10.00; or

b: The Tenant may pay the security deposit in full at time of lease signing or pay monthly installments in any amount that exceeds paragraph A above after the initial $50.00 deposit.

The Landlord will refund any unused portion of the Pet Security Deposit within a reasonable time after the Tenant moves from the building provided that Tenant leaves a forwarding address in writing or no longer owns or keeps a pet at the Premises. The Tenant must provide written proof that the pet is no longer in the household.

SECTION 6. PETS – GENERAL CONDITIONS

The Tenant agrees to comply with these rules and the violation of these rules shall be grounds for removal of the pet or termination of the Tenant’s tenancy, or both.

Only 1 pet is allowed in the elevator at a time. If one pet is already in the elevator car when it stops at a floor, the second pet owner must wait for a car to stop without another pet in it.
Pet owners must use the nearest accessible exit when taking their pet outside.
No pet may be left unattended, whether tied or tethered, outside of the Tenant’s unit or building.
Pets are never permitted in the building’s public rooms such as the offices, laundry room, lounges, or community rooms.
Tenants shall not alter their unit, porch, balcony or hallway in any way as to create an enclosure for their pets.
Apartments, patios, balconies and hallways must be kept clean and free of hair, feathers, seeds, droppings, urine, feces and odors at all times.
Costs of extermination from fleas, ticks, or other animal related pests caused by a tenant’s pet will be the responsibility of such tenant.
Tenants shall not permit any disturbance by their pet, which would interfere with other tenants’ quiet enjoyment of their accommodations. This includes disturbances such as loud barking, howling, scratching, whining, loud chirping, yowling, screeching, or other such activities.
Insurance

Liability Insurance is not required, however it is strongly recommended. The tenant may arrange for such insurance themselves, if possible for their own protection against liability from suit by another tenant or building visitor in the event of an accident involving their pet, especially a cat or a dog. Renter’s Insurance may be needed against possible damage to the unit. Renter’s Insurance is not extremely expensive, and the Clearfield County Housing Authority would appreciate a renter’s policy for all units with pets.

Pet Waste

Pet Waste must be properly disposed of as specified in the specific pet regulations applying to the type of pet in question. At no time will pet waste of any type be permitted to be placed in any trash chute, wastebaskets, or garbage cans inside the building.

Pet waste of all types, including litter box and cage cleaning, must be put in tightly fastened, heavy duty plastic bags and placed outside in the dumpster or (for residents who live in row houses) in garbage cans with lids, provided by the resident. A $5.00 charge will be levied each time the Tenant fails to remove pet waste in accordance with the rules.

Pet owner removing pet from apartment.

Whenever a pet is out of the apartment or house for any reason, such pet will be confined in some way so that it does not become loose in the building. Recapture of a loose pet is the sole responsibility of the Tenant. The Landlord will not be involved or take responsibility for such recapture.

Pets cannot be tied or left unattended outside of the Tenant’s unit.

SECTION 7. VISITING PETS

Visiting pets are not permitted unless they are dogs aiding the handicapped, i.e., seeing eye dogs, without specific written permission from the Landlord. If such written permission is granted, all provisions of this Pet Policy will apply to the visiting pet while on the Landlord’s premises.

SECTION 8. PROTECTION OF THE PET

If the health or the safety of a pet is threatened by the death or incapacity of the Tenant or by other factors that render the Tenant unable to care for the pet, the Landlord will contact one of the three persons listed on the Pet Responsibility Card. If none of these 3 responsible people are willing or able to care for the pet, or after reasonable efforts the Landlord has been unable to contact one of the three persons, the Landlord will contact the appropriate state or local agency and request removal of such pet. If there is no state or local agency authorized to remove a pet under these circumstances, the Landlord or its designee will enter the Tenant’s unit, remove the pet, and place it in the Animal Rescue League for permanent disposition.

SECTION 9. OWNER’S ABSENCE

If the Tenant is temporarily absent such as in the hospital or on vacation, the Landlord must be notified as soon as possible before the Tenant leaves with the name of the person who will take total responsibility to regularly care for the pet until the Tenant returns.

Failure to abide by the above regulations will cause the Landlord to arrange for removal and care of the pet as stated in Section 9, with the cost for such care the full responsibility of the Tenant.

SECTION 10. PET VIOLATIONS

Loose Pets – If a pet gets loose and out of the Tenant’s Premises, the Tenant, and not the Landlord is responsible for damages and recapture.
Notice of Pet Rule Violation. If the Landlord determines on the basis of objective facts, supported by written statements, that the Tenant has violated a rule governing the keeping of pets, the Landlord will serve a notice to the Tenant of pet rule violation. The notice of pet rule violation will be in writing and will:

(1). Contain a brief statement of the factual basis for the determination and the pet rule or rules alleged to be violated;

(2). State that the Tenant has 10 days from the effective date of service of the notice to correct the violation ( including, in appropriate circumstances, removal of the pet) or to make a written request for a grievance meeting to discuss the violation with the Landlord.

(3). The pet owner is entitled to be accompanied by another person of his/her choice at the grievance meeting.

(4). State that the Tenant’s failure to correct the violation or to request a grievance or to appear at a grievance meeting shall result in initiation of such procedures to have the pet removed or to terminate the Tenant’s tenancy, or both.

SECTION 11. PET REMOVAL

If a pet becomes vicious or displays symptoms of severe illness or other behavior that constitutes an immediate threat to the health or safety of the pet or other tenants as a whole, the Landlord or an authorized agency will be permitted to enter the Tenant’s unit, remove the pet, and take such action with respect to the pet as may be permissible under state and local law. The Landlord is permitted to enter the Premises in such case as above if anyone of four situations apply:

The Tenant has refused to remove the pet or if the Landlord is unable to contact the Tenant to make the removal request.
If the Tenant is willing but unable due to accident or illness to remove the pet.
Should the Tenant decide for any reason they no longer want the pet, it is the Tenant’s responsibility to remove it and find somewhere to take it themselves at their expense.
Landlord reasonably believes the pet is being abused or neglected.
Notice for Pet Removal. If the Landlord determines that the Tenant has failed to correct the pet rule violation, the Landlord may serve a notice to the Tenant requiring the Tenant to remove the pet. The notice will be in writing and will;
Contain a brief statement of the factual basis for the determination and the pet rule that has been violated;
State that the Tenant must remove the pet within 10 days of the effective date of the notice (or 10 days after the grievance meeting if notice was served at the meeting); and
State that failure to remove the pet shall result in initiation of procedures to have the pet removed or terminate the Tenant’s tenancy, or both.

SECTION 12. DEATH OF PET

Should a pet die on the Landlord’s property it is the responsibility of the Tenant to dispose of the pet immediately. If this is not done within 1 day and the Landlord must dispose of such pet, the Tenant will be responsible for all costs incurred by the Landlord. The pet may not be disposed of on the Landlord’s property or in a dumpster located thereon.

SECTION 13. UNIT INSPECTION

The Landlord’s maintenance personnel will not be permitted to enter the Premises housing a dog or cat unless the Tenant is home and places the pet on a leash or is under control at all times while the maintenance personnel are in the unit. Any problems noticed at an inspection, such as damages to the Premises or odors, will be rectified by repairs or extermination within ten (10) days of the inspection. If the Tenant has not arranged for repairs or extermination within such ten (10) day period, the Landlord will then make the necessary repairs or extermination at the Tenant’s expense. These charges are considered to be the same as rent due and owing and must be paid within thirty (30) days of invoice.

SECTION 14A. DOGS.

In addition to the other sections of these rules, the following apply:

Dogs must be no less than six (6) months old and completely housebroken. Proof that the dog is already neutered or spayed must be furnished. Each dog must be licensed by the appropriate local governmental agency and proof of license renewal is required each year by the Tenant. Dogs must wear a collar at all times showing license and owner’s name and address, plus a flea collar.

Each year, by January 31st, the Tenant must show proof that the dog has had the proper Parvo shots for distemper and rabies. This proof must be signed by a veterinarian.

A dog cannot be over 14 inches tall at the top of the shoulder, or weight over 25 pounds at maturity. In the case of a 6 month old dog, a statement from a veterinarian will be required verifying that normally that type of dog will not be over the size requirements as listed.

A dog must be on a leash at all times when outside of the Tenant’s Premises unless it is in an approved locked pet carrier. Small dogs should be held and carried through the building even if on a leash.

In the case that a pet deposits waste on the Landlord’s property, the Tenant must remove such waste immediately upon deposit on the Landlord’s property. Waste must be placed in a plastic bag, sealed tightly, and put inside an outside dumpster.

It is the Tenant’s responsibility to clean the stairwell if there is any deposit of hair, mud, snow, or animal waste from their pet. Also, if a pet tracks snow, rain or mud into an elevator, stairwell or hallway, this must be cleaned up by the Tenant immediately.

Dogs should be brushed on a regular basis so that their hair does not shed during their trips in and out of the building.

No dog may stay alone in a unit overnight. It is the responsibility of the tenant if they have to leave suddenly and be away overnight to take the pet elsewhere until they return.

Whenever Landlord’s employees or contractors need to enter the Unit, the Tenant must be present and the dog must be under control.

SECTION 14B. CATS

In addition to the other sections of these rules, the following apply:

Cats must be no less than six (6) months old and must be litter box trained before admission. Proof that the cat has been de-clawed and spayed or neutered must be shown before admission approval. REV 01/01/2020

Cats must wear a collar at all times showing owner’s name and address plus a cat flea collar.

Proof must be shown before admission and each year by February 15th that the cat has had the proper FVR-CP and rabies and distemper shots. This proof must be signed by a veterinarian.

Cats must be on a leash at all times when outside the Tenant’s apartment or carried in an approved locked pet carrier.

The Tenant must use a cat litter box and waste must be cleaned daily from the litter box, laced in a tightly fastened plastic bag, and placed in the outside dumpster by the cat owner. Litter must be disposed of a minimum of twice a week and replaced with new, clean litter. Soiled litter must be placed in a tightly sealed plastic bag and placed in the outside dumpster. Cat waste and litter are never to be disposed of in the building.

No cat can be over 8 inches tall at the shoulders or weigh over 15 pounds.

No cat may stay alone in an apartment overnight. It is the responsibility of the Tenant if they have to leave suddenly and be away overnight to take the pet elsewhere until they return.

In the case that a cat deposits waste on the Landlord’s property, the Tenant must immediately remove such waste. The waste must then be placed in a plastic bag, sealed tightly and put in an outside dumpster.

Whenever Landlord’s employees or contractors need to enter the unit, the Tenant must be present and the cat must be under control at all times.

In the event the cat deposits hair, mud, snow, water, or animal waste in the building in the hall, stairwell, or elevator, this must be cleaned up by the Tenant.

The Tenant also agrees to comply with these rules as provide in this Policy, and the violation of these rules shall be grounds for removal of the pet or termination of the Tenant’s tenancy, or both in accordance with the provisions of this policy and applicable regulations.