Article: You may get evicted if you get caught with a dog. If dogs are clearly against the rules in the lease, you have broken the lease by hiding your dog. Your landlord may require you to move fast. Moving is expensive. In addition to paying for things like moving trucks and gas, you will have to pay to transfer your utilities. You will also have to put down a deposit on a new apartment, and may have to pay first month's rent upfront. Make sure you have a nest egg to front these expenses in the event you have to move fast. The potential financial fallout is one of the reasons it's risky to sneak a dog in an apartment. It's hard to judge your neighbors' attitude. Some of them may not mind you bending the rules, while others may be irritated. Some people may have specifically chosen that apartment complex because they dislike dogs. Be polite to your neighbors at all times. Keep your dog from jumping on them, barking, or generally disturbing anyone. If you're respectful of your neighbors, they're more likely to like you. This will decrease the likelihood they'll report you to the landlord if they catch you with a dog. A pet deposit usually covers any damage caused by a pet. If your dog, say, chews up the carpet, the $300 you put down for the pet deposit will cover this. However, if you're sneaking your dog in, you won't have a pet despot as a buffer. In the event your dog damages the unit, you will have to pay any damages upfront. It's always best not to break the rules. You could get in a lot of trouble and end up spending a lot of money sneaking in a dog. You may be able to convince a landlord to make an exception to the no pets rule. You can explain to a potential landlord that you have a dog. If there are any reasons you cannot give the dog up, let him or her know. For example, maybe your dog has special needs and would not do well with another owner. Offer to write up a contract. You could provide a legal document promising to take care of any damages done by your dog. You and your landlord could both agree on the terms of the document. If the landlord sees you're willing to take responsibility and pay potential damages, he or she may be more willing to allow you to have a dog.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Make sure you have the money to move fast. Watch out for your neighbors. Prepare to pay for damages upfront. Try to negotiate with your landlord instead.