Hoping someone may just be able to help with this situation. I don't want to cause issues as myself and DD have moved far too many times (due to her fathers violence) but I'm at wits end.
I moved into a 2 bedroom house Sept 2011. The area which I am in is well known for having cabins/granny flats/bedsits at the rear of the properties which are separated and have rear lane access - mine is no different with 2 situated down the back.
When I moved in the owners were in the process of renovating so I knew people would move in - no issues as I was told from the outset by the real estate that they would only be given 3 month leases and any issues addressed immediately.
It took forever to lease them (first person moved into one in March, the other April)
The very back cabin I've not heard boo from. I've been told he is a young boy who receives care 30 hours per week, and his rent is paid for him (community care type scenario I presume)
Well the front cabin, which actually juts into my yard and is right where my carport is, has been occupied for not even 2 weeks and I have made 3 complaints to the real estate already.
Tenant signed lease 23/4
I saw her (and a large dog) inside on 24/4. I noted not to park my car under the carport anymore as my exhaust would be right at her bedroom window (the cabin is 1 room with a curtain used to separate living/bedroom)
28/4 she had "friends" over and at 3am I had to very rudely tell her to shut up. Music blaring, glass smashing etc. she was having a party outside which thankfully my daughter wasn't home, but was loud enough for me to hear over my tv at the front of the house (DD's bedroom would be perhaps 20m from her cabin)
I spoke to real estate on 1/5 and advised them of this, and the dog to which I was told she was refused in her request to have a dog (which is reasonable, I jumped through hoops to be allowed a rabbit and I have a yard)
Real estate advised they would deal with it.
Friday 4/5 I was at home very unwell and heard a poor dog crying. This carried on for hours and I realised the dog had been locked in the cabin. I rang real estate she said they would come around and take the dog. 2.5 hours later still nothing but dog sounding very distressed. Rang real estate again she said they'd come out with the keys and take the dog. I also rang local council, and RSPCA who said they wouldn't do anything. Real estate turned up and simply left a card.
The poor dog was locked in a laundry - its a 15mo old Labrador pup, so not tiny. Real estate rang and said they notified police and pretty much washed their hands of it.
The girl ended up home around 10pm so by this stage the dog had been whimpering/crying/barking for more than 9 hours. Real estate rang Saturday I told them it finally stopped late at night and she said they would go around and see her. But STILL nothing
Now for today, girl went out, dog locked up again and it again cried/whimpered/barked for in excess of 6 hours.
It breaks my heart as it sounds so distressed, but I can't even get through to give it some food - access is locked. I was tempted to "enter" the cabin through the open window, but then I'm realistically committing an offense. It's also upsetting my DD.
I'm going to ring the real estate again tomorrow, but I don't know what to do. I'm starting to hate living here. It's stressing me out which isn't healthy with a baby on the way an I just want my peaceful house back (the dog is so loud I can hear it over 2 tv's and all windows and doors shut)
Do I have any leg to stand on to demand the real estate do something? My 6mo lease ended in march and I asked to renew but havent had a response. The real estate did say she would be gone before me as they don't want me gone, but it's at the point I want to move just for peace and quiet!
The girl has no respect for neighbours and quite often speeds down the gravel lane, yells on the phone outside and has this dog. I'm respectful and no longer park my car under my carport as I leave early/get home late so don't want to disturb people, and I won't let DD out on her trampoline too early.
Have you contacted your local council about the excessive noise the dog makes? They should have an animal ranger, who deal with stray dogs, barking complaints, dog attacks etc. after hours you can also make noise complaints to the police. Even if nothing is done at least you still have it on record. If she isn't allowed the dog, really the real estate should have acted when they were first told about it. Having an animal you aren't supposed to have is breaking your lease agreement and you can be evicted.. Perhaps contact the rental tribunal (or equivalent) in your state and have a chat to them. Keep hassling the real estate too.
Called council/rangers on Friday - they said the dog is on private property nothing they will do.
Called RSPCA as its locked up - they said it's not animal cruelty
Called police (fri/sat night, as well as real estate) - they never showed but have noted it and have the tenants number.
She was refused the dog (well that's what real estate told me) but nearly 2 weeks on its still there! I can actually still hear it crying over my tv right now!
Call the tribunal/tenancy advice and get advice from them about what you can do. Fairly certain you are within your rights to take her to the tribunal yourself to either have her evicted or have some kind of action enforced (such as removing the dog). I'm surprised the council won't do anything, but I know the RSPCA won't unless the dog is being clearly neglected.
She is clearly breaching her lease by having a dog she was denied and by being disruptive. After you get advice, follow it up with your real estate and make it clear action needs to be taken.
The council can follow up on a complaint about the noise though..that's their job! Or at least that was part of the job description of the rangers when I worked for local government! They can't go onto private property, but they can make the owner aware the dog is causing a noise problem and follow through. I'd try them again..maybe the person you spoke to had no idea or just couldn't be bothered taking the complaint. You could also try emailing a complaint, they might even have a form on their website?
Wow, I lived in a block of units & had my dad come round with his dog. Left him with me for an hour for a gp app, then took him & left. I had the dog in the yard out the back so he wasn't in my unit. The very next day the RE knocked on my door!
Councils are the ones who usually deal with this as well... strange that they haven't. The RE also should have stepped up and given her a warning or something, unless she knows someone there... you never know with these things..
I trained puppies for a long time and usually suggest leaving them inside a laundry or bathroom when you are out so they don't destroy everything, however people usually leave water and food for their dogs when they go out as well. Dogs are usually quite happy when they have their own place and it doesn't have to be big, as long as they get out and exercise a few times a day... sounds like she's pushed this pup too far in leaving it for so long without exercise and attention.
Thanks ladies - think a few calls will be placed tomorrow!
The dog appears to be trying to get out (you can see it clawing under the door) and doesn't bark as such but cries.
Friday it was left alone for in excess of 10 hours and today so far it's been in excess of 7. I've never seen it outside (and she doesn't actually have a yard, just a gravel driveway/carport area)
I've also recorded it on my phone (as per real estate request) so will see what happens tomorrow.
Thanks again - hoping to try to sleep soon and the poor pup gets a bit of some love.
When you call the RE again ask to talk to someone else, the head of property management. call the tribunal. Call the council again and voice your concerns again, if you talk to the same person ask to talk to someone different. Make sure you write everything down, days youve called people, the happenings of the unit, the hours of the dog crying etc..
Don't talk to the real estate email them, create a paper trail they can't ignore. Also list in your email all interactions with them and their response to date. Far more likely to get a response when you document it all in written form.
Council will usually do something about the dog if the noise is excessive, but only after you've lodged a diary of the times it happens. If they feel it's frequent enough, then they're supposed to send a letter or visit the occupier.
I'm surprised the RE hasn't said or done anything. If it's in the contract that there is to be no pets, that would come from the landlord. Surely the RE would be in some sort of breach with the landlord by knowing the dog is there but not getting it removed? (Grasping at straws, have no real idea about that but it might be another angle to take with the RE's lack of action).
Poor pup. Big dog like that, makes me so sad. Hope you get some peace soon.
Real Estate Help Needed - please
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