Apartment landlady doesn't want me to house crickets.
- Thread starter LeCricket
- Start date
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
Its going to depend on several things. Where do you live? Read your lease carefully. It may state exactly what sorts of animals you can own. If the lease isn't very specific (and I doubt it mentioned captive insects), she'll need to show you a health ordinance or some other regulation that restricts keeping "nuisance animals or insects as pets" or something like that. I don't think the commercially produced cricket is illegal to have anywhere in the US. If you correctly signed a lease in good faith and you are honoring its terms I don't know if she can just decide you can't keep something unless it is a known pest (such as a cockroach or venomous spider for example).
But, you are renting private property, so if the property OWNER decides they don't want crickets there may not be much you can do about it. I'd suggest trying another approach:
Ask her respectfully why she does not want crickets on the property and if there are any other insects she would not mind. Maybe its the idea of hundreds of them in the apartment that concerns her...offer to keep a smaller amount that is acceptable. Show her how you can prevent the problems she may be worried about...noise (keep them in smaller quantities or only get juveniles that don't chirp). Smell (again, show her clean maintained bins and smaller amounts). Chance of infestations (show her how well you keep yours contained). Maybe she really doesn't want the lizard that needs to eat them (introduce her to your cham so she understands how nice and how harmless it is).
Mike Fisher
Established Member
The first thing I'd check is if you live in a "no cause eviction" state. Even if your rental agreement does not specifically state you can't house insects, if your landlady doesn't like it, she'll evict you for "no cause". Personally I'd look for another place and be up front with them about your chameleons and their needs.
junglefries
Avid Member
Tell her that's okay. Roaches produce more offspring anyway. 
little leaf
Avid Member
Tell her that's okay. Roaches produce more offspring anyway.
I was trying to be a good girl today- but this is just what I was going to say - lol
now, on the flip side - I AM a landlord - the more you go behind her back, the more mad she will get - we had a tenant try to sneak in a WOLF - not a dog- a WOLF, as in little red riding hood I am going to eat you ! how long do you think that lasted
I agree with Carlton, be honest , see if she will change her mind- if not, look for a new place if you are not happy about it- ( I would welcome you !! - lol but all our units are full ) the tenant who had the wolf, went to the vet, and got a paper saying it was a " dog" so we could not evict on that as we did allow dogs - but I'll be darn, the state says you can force a 30 day notice for " emergency repairs " to electrical service - still not so sure how that main feed got damaged ? in other words, if she wants you gone due to this- she will find a way - make it work w/ her, or move on
Mike Fisher
Established Member
Me too. I got tired of my bad neighbors so I bought the house next door and evicted them. I screen my renters carefully, no more problems. Herp lovers welcome.
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
Me too. I got tired of my bad neighbors so I bought the house next door and evicted them. I screen my renters carefully, no more problems. Herp lovers welcome.
Wow. Must be nice to be able to buy houses so you can pick your neighbors!
Seriously, I've been a tenant with good and terrible landlords, listened to my Dad's horror stories about his past tenants, listened to tenant horror stories about landlords. So much of it comes down to simple communication and respect for others' property. If you are honest and up front about what you want or need and have a courteous discussion with your landlord, it may work out fine. At least she'll know you are trying. Give her information she can work with. Means a lot!
little leaf
Avid Member
Me too. I got tired of my bad neighbors so I bought the house next door and evicted them. I screen my renters carefully, no more problems. Herp lovers welcome.
LOL - that is why we bought it - now our tenants have been there for on side A - 12 yrs - side B - 4 - its a twinplex
well, this took A LOT of work - the farmer who had it, had let it all but fall down on one side- and the lady was like a RAT in the other - when we got it, I'd have to say I think my horse stalls were nicer
thankfully Dave and I both worked in construction at the time but yes, it goes both ways , good/bad tenants and same with landlords
Mike Fisher
Established Member
well, this took A LOT of work - the farmer who had it, had let it all but fall down on one side- and the lady was like a RAT in the other - when we got it, I'd have to say I think my horse stalls were nicer
We have a lot in common. The one I bought was in such bad shape and the price so low we paid cash for it. It was literally falling down. It needed a new foundation so I jacked up the house and supported it, built forms, then mixed cement in the driveway, placed it in the forms while my wife got under the house supported by cinder blocks packed and vibrated the forms. After barely any money in but lots of work, it now rents for double the amount it used to under previous owners.
My new neighbors are great, nice and quiet.
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
I agree this is the way to go
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
I can't help you, I've never had a problem! I've always done the opposite though, keep things as secret as possible. I'm a good tenant, I pay my pet fees and deposits for the dogs, and keep a clean and quiet apartment. Anytime a landlord has come up to do any work or anything the reptiles have been a surprise but never a problem, since everything looks clean, tidy, and inoffensive. And no bugs in sight, ever, they are always in opaque plastic bins in a spare closet or something. Oh, what do they eat? "Veggies." I usually leave rentals better than how I find them, so I consider that it more than makes up for the deceit lol.
However, if she already knows you're going to have to work around it. If she won't budge on the crickets... in my honest advice, say you'll switch him to veggies or whatever and then just keep roaches in a discrete tub in a closet. Or move somewhere else if that makes you uncomfortable.
However, if she already knows you're going to have to work around it. If she won't budge on the crickets... in my honest advice, say you'll switch him to veggies or whatever and then just keep roaches in a discrete tub in a closet. Or move somewhere else if that makes you uncomfortable.
