Diary of an infuriated searcher of housing

Dear readers,

The following is my recent experience with trying to find a home to rent, as I found myself unexpectedly in the market for said home. This is 100% true exchange that I had with one of the local rental housing companies.


I am a recently single man who is finding myself in the predicament of having to find housing before the end of the month. I am looking for rental housing for the time being as I am hoping to begin attending a respected southern university in fall of 2008. Sounds not too complicated, right? Well, add in to the mix that I have a 55# Siberian Husky, as well as two indoor cats. They are my family. My dog is my very best friend in the world. He would never desert me, never let me down & he's been my constant companion for these last 11 1/2 years. You see, I am devil spawn for being an animal lover. I'm a veterinary technician by trade. Unfortunately, a hazard of the job of being a veterinary technician is the very sensitive Achilles Heel of actually liking animals and wanting them to be a part of my life, thereby vilifying me in the eyes of a great number of potential landlords. I understand this is actually a problem with some pet owners who don't care what their animals do to the property that they are renting. I care. While going through the headache of ending a long term relationship with someone I am very much in love with, I've been forced to deal with finding myself housing, which is further complicated by an unwillingness to be taken in (for a reasonable price) by most landlords or property owning companies. They do, however, have a willingness to charge the crap out of me and penalize me for things that my pets have yet to do. In one of my correspondences with a rental office, there were a series of emails that I will copy & paste below. It just seemed too good to just delete, & I also wanted other seekers of housing who have pets of their own to know that this is one company that claims to be 'pet friendly,' and is, indeed, not. I will put my interjections in italics. This is what I'm writing presently & was not included in the emails. I'm also coloring the correspondence from Carolina Apartments in blue. I wish I could somehow add the CSI sound effect immediately following the date/time stamp...Bong Bong...Sort of loses something when you have to type it out I guess.


December 11, 2007 10:01 AM
Dear Space Husky, Thank you for your interest in our community. I am pleased that you are considering Hall of Jerks Apartments as your new home! Hall of Jerks Apartments is professionally managed by Enormous Asswipe Corporation (EAC) and is located within close proximity to major employers, great shopping, excellent restaurants, and prominent schools. EAC has been in business for over 30 years and believes that "Residents are people first." You can visit our website at ____________ to view floor plans and photos or if you plan on visiting the area prior to your move, I welcome the opportunity to schedule an appointment with you. The best way to understand the value of our community is to experience it first hand. Currently, we are having a special. If you sign from 10 to 16 month lease, There is a $25 application fee and only $200 security deposit with approved credit. You will also get a free security alarm system. With the special our two bedroom with one and a half bath is $620 to $665 a month. This apartment is 918 square feet. The two bedroom with a den and one and one half bath is $740 to $775 a month. This apartment is 1029 square feet. The rent includes water, sewer and central trash removal. Our courteous and professional staff looks forward to welcoming you to your new home. We are pet friendly, and our pet fees are $150 1st pet, $100 second pet (non refundable) and $20 pet rent each. Please do not hesitate to call or email with any questions or concerns you may have. We are open M-F 8:30-5:30, Sat 10-5 and Sun 1-5. Kindest Regards, Hall of Jerks Apartments
Not too bad, huh? Well, note the 2nd to last paragraph.
My first response:

December 11, 2007 10:10 AM
Am I reading this right? You are actually charging rent for pets? $20 each?
Space Husky

Their next reply:

December 11, 2007 10:11 AM

Hi,

Yes there is a $20 pet rent fee.

Hall of Jerks Apartments.

My final response:

December 11, 2007 10:20 AM

Then please stop referring to yourself as pet friendly. That is, in fact, NOT pet friendly. In all the places that I've looked at, not one single place charges rent for the pets. It's ridiculous. Either don't allow pets or stop saying that you are pet friendly. I understand the pet deposit, and expect it. They are animals. Occasionally they do damage. But charging rent for pets is absurd. You don't need to respond to this. Clearly, I'm no longer a prospective renter.

Good day.

And, that was that. I'm still desperately seeking housing, but I'm just going to stop trying to get along with people who are either trying to cash in on my desperation and possibly come at them with guns blazing. I'm just a squirrel trying to get a nut, after all. So I wasn't sure about how to get my trials published, but I feel it needs to be somewhere. Someone needs to speak up for pet owners who don't own their own home. And don't get me started about home owners insurance that is negated by people that own 'vicious' dog breeds.

Sincerely,

Space Husky