When should I tell my landlord about my new dog?

Write a note and keep a copy of it. Make sure the date is on the note. Write something like “As per my lease, I am informing you that I have a _____ puppy.”

^^ Yes, that. Although, from a contract/lease perspective, I don’t like that “dangerous breeds” is left undefined. This leaves it open to interpretation by the landlord. While a Yorkie would not be “dangerous” to a reasonable person, a Labrador (simply due to its imminent size) could be up for debate.

It would be nice to let them know. You probably have put up a pet deposit anyway.

You should have discussed it before you ever made the decision to get another dog.
Is your agreement month to month? If so, they can change the terms with 30 days notice and in most states ask you to move without cause.

Does it say how many dogs you’re allowed and over a certain weight? Some complexes only allow a certain number of dogs and over a certain weight. I think dangerous dog breeds are just a matter of opinion, not fact. That could really mean any dog. If you’re allowed to have pets then I see no reason to inform your landlord. But if you’re only allowed a specific number then yes, I would tell him.

The dog next door to me is a big Labrador, and it’s pretty darn vicious. As soon as I step outside my back yard it’s right there trying to tear down the fence to get at me. It cannot tolerate me even being within 15 feet of the fence. Just sayin.

Since your landlord was visibly unenthusiastic about your Lab, I would avoid mentioning that this 2nd Lab is a puppy (that brings up negative images of housetraining accidents, soiled floors, etc. )

In six months or so the dog will be nearly full grown anyway so best to avoid the puppy negativity in non-dog lover’s minds. Why give him any reason to either charge a larger deposit or possibly evict you? No reason to create extra conflict.

Is your landlord renting out their home or is it an apartment? If its an apartment than make sure the lease doesn’t list the number of dogs allowed and if prior approval is needed.
They cannot object to seeing the dog as being a dangerous breed since they approved the lab previously, but it there is a limit, than their can be an objection. Is there also a non refundable deposit or monthly dog fee involved?
If it says on the lease that prior approval is needed and that you need to place a deposit per dog or monthly fee and you do not report the new dog, than you can be evicted for breaking the lease. Especially if it is their home they are renting out. Homeowners renting their homes have more rights than most landlords when it comes to choosing who or what can live in their home. I suppose it is because it is often considered personal property.

@Pandora: The reason why it appears that more rights go to homeowners renting out their homes is not because it’s their home that’s being rented out, it goes by the number of units. More than 6 units qualifies as some other category, where different laws apply to renting.

Pandora I’ve been in the rental buisness for almost 30 years and I have never heard of owners of single family homes having more rights. What state would that be in??
Edit- just read @jca ‘s answer. The only real difference I’ve ever heard of is when a resident manager is required but it makes since that some states could change things.

Thanks!

(Sorry. I asked my lawyer friend for help on this and forgot I had started this thread, too. I phoned last week, and all is good!)

@Judi, When I rented my home in NC. I could insist that I only rent to couples or list my home for women only or students. What ever I wanted. Apartments can’t do that unless its a building that caters to a school, like a dorm. In Massachusetts you can’t kick out a family who isn’t paying their rent in the winter. I don’t think you can even force them out in Massachusetts if their lease came up in the middle of winter. I know because my FIL spent months trying to get his tenants evicted and had to wait till spring to get them evicted. It was his own home he was renting out while he lived with my SIL. Different rules in different states.

When I had problem with my tenants I spoke with a lawyer that told me I could evict them or just wait and let them know I wouldn’t be renewing their lease. When they moved in they had a new frig and dishwasher. They looked 15 years old. Stains that couldn’t be removed and cat hair in every appliance. After being told cats was not allowed because my husband was severely allergic.

Landlord tenant laws vary from state to state.