I got served a notice today.

[ThomCat]

I've posted a bunch of times about JennaLaw coming over to my place to help me out. She does cooking and cleaning and for me now that I can't. :hug: She almost always brings her dogs because she's here for the weekend. She lives too far away to drive back and forth, and doesn't want to leave them home alone all weekend anyway.

A neighbor complained about the dogs. It's against my lease for ME to have dogs. I got served a notice from the landlords lawyers today saying I have 10 days to get rid of my dogs or else, because I'm in violation of my lease.

So I contacted my lawyer today. He doesn't handle this kind of stuff, only disability stuff. He referred me to another lawyer. But it's a holiday weekend, so I'll hear back from the other lawyer on either Monday or Tuesday. And then the fun starts.

I get to go to court to argue that the dogs aren't mine, and the building doesn't prohibit guests from bringing dogs to visit, so I'm not in violation. What a waste of time and money. :(


JennaLaw is depressed about the trouble this is causing. She could use some good vibes. :loveya:

[KitchenWitch]

1. Oh man, I am so sorry.

:hug:

Vibes to both of you.

[ThomCat]

9. Thank you.

:hug:

[JenaLaw]

32. Thank you!

[Shell Beau]

2. Oh that sucks! If you aren't in violation, why do they want

to waste that kind of money? I don't get it.

Good luck to you! :loveya:

[ThomCat]

5. Because a neighbor complained about the dogs

and according to the management office the complaints automatically get forwarded to the lawyers for review. I'm sure the lawyers are going to do whatever they have to do to generate work so that they get paid.

They're going to assume the dogs are mine just because they have no case otherwise. And this way the building looks like they're doing something about the complaint too. That's more important, apparently, that everyone minding their own damned business. x(

[Tuesday Afternoon]

3. Peaceful and Calming Vibes for the situation to be resolved in a

postive matter resulting in a happy outcome for all involved :hug:

[ThomCat]

11. A really happy outcome would be if

JennaLaw gets a job offer down here so she an move to the city. Then I can find an apartment somewhere else in this city that accepts dogs, so we can be roommates.

Us, the 3 dogs, 2 cats, and any friends who want to come visit without my asshole neighbors. :) That would be a very happy outcome.

It all starts with JennaLaw getting a Job offer down here so she can escape where she works and lives now.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

13. ok then You got it ~~~VIBES~~~~

for a job for JennaLaw ;)

[JenaLaw]

34. someday...

in my wildest dreams, that will happen!

[JenaLaw]

33. thanks...

a lot...

we could use some peaceful vibes around here. Never a dull moment!!!!!

[Haole Girl]

4. Grr

You should play the equal access law card... or say they are service animals... get some kind of certificate for the dogs.

Grr...grr...grr. Want me to call them and give them a piece of my mind? Better yet, you should have Skittles kick their ass(es)!!!

Sigh. People!

:hug:

[ThomCat]

7. There is no chance that these are service animals.

:P

One is 20 years old and blind in one eye, half deaf, and wears diapers. One is a Chihuahua. And one is a very small beautiful mutt.

But that would be a wonderful answer if it was possible. :)

Regardless, I'll do whatever I can to make sure these wonderful animals are allowed to come over here and visit me. x(

[JenaLaw]

35. service animals???

HA! You made me laugh ;-)

Jack, the old guy, is 20. Blind/Deaf...and was never all that bright to begin with.

Coco, the chihuahua, thinks she is Thom's personal guard dog. She even attacks me when she is in his lap. In her mind she is a terrifying and imposing creature.

then there is Molly...my baby. A 9lb ball of sweetness and love. But completly untrainable. She gets by on cuteness and affection.

and all 3 have Thomcat completly wrapped around their little tails.

[Chan790]

50. Not all service animals are seeing-eye dogs...

or the such. Hearing/Signal, Assistance Dogs, whathaveyou.

There are also therapy dogs. Given, therapy dogs do not have the same protections under the law but almost nobody knows that. I'd wager that if you implied (you can't state because that might be criminal) that these dogs are there for therapeutic purposes for Thom and his spirit/well-being that the building owner might put the kibosh on this summons/complaint if for no other reason than they'd look like asses to go into court and argue that the dogs that don't reside there, which are for his well-being, violate his lease. Image is very important, especially in this economy.

[Inchworm]

6. Get a chalkboard

start scratching it into the vents at midnight. Do this until 3-4am. Nightly.

Odds are, that isn't in the lease. Say it's theraputic to counter assholes.

*hugs to JennaLaw and you*

:hug:

[ThomCat]

8. There is a clause about disturbing the neighbors.

I'm wondering if I can use that against them, because them being nosy complainers disturbs me a hell of a lot. x(

[Inchworm]

14. What sucks is...

to do it right you MUST hire a lawyer. That's where the system fails. I'm guessing you might not be in the "money running out ears" faction.

hmm...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0O3n9x8r8s

:silly:

[ThomCat]

20. No. Money is going to be very, very tight.

I'm on public assistance right now, waiting for my social security disability and disability insurance to get straightened out.

This is going to be my tax return money. :shug:

[Inchworm]

23. Boo!

Go without lawyer at first and ask for legal aid? You'll get a continuance I'd imagine.

I dunno, just an idea.

May be your last fat tax return. No sense wasting it if it's just busy body window monitoring litigious asshole business.

sorry dude. :(

:grr:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

25. Ask for help -

tell the lawyer your financial state and find out if you can get some kind of discount or even a freebie.

Tell him your lawyer friend at DU (me) suggested this. I've done a lot of stuff for people who were getting a raw deal and had no money. Points in heaven, and all that.

Do that, and see what happens. OK?

And good luck.

Let us know what happens, and then we'll set about seeing how you'll deal with the bigmouth whiner neighbor who busted you. Because, you know, there will be blood ........................

[ThomCat]

28. Good advice.

Thank you. :hug:

[DevonRex]

40. Good advice. Most attorneys I know work for firms who encourage

this and some even mandate a certain amount of pro bono work. It's good for the community and good for the firm.

[JenaLaw]

36. oh...I like the way you think...

That is about as effective as my usual musical tribute to annoying neighbors: Either the soundtrack to Sat Night Fever playing at full volume (only works if I am out of the house and do not have to sit through it myself...) or Celtic Fusion music (I love it, but not many in my neighborhood agree with me...)

will have to try this next time my current housemates get on my nerves.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

10. Oh, fuck this noise!

I hate these goddamned busybodies who can't BEAR to let a neighbor have a life. What is it with thee people?

Chances are your lawyer will contact them and explain the situation and there will be no court appearance. Letters will be exchanged, and that will be that.

I'm curious, though. Do the rules prohibit guest's dogs from staying overnight? Is that the hook on which they might - legitimately - have you?

I hope not...............

[ThomCat]

15. The lease is vague. It just says I can't have dogs.

They're probably going to argue that this means I can't have dogs in the apartment. Not just that I can't own dogs.

But, that won't hold up.

There are several people visiting here every weekend with dogs. They've never done anything to discourage it before. So if they're going to suddenly argue now that I can't have dogs in my apartment it's going to be a new, selective policy that they are only applying to me. A good lawyer will hopefully have a lot to say about that.

So that brings us back to the strict interpretation of me not being allowed to own dogs. That's fine. I don't.

[vard28]

17. AND...

Make sure you get it so that THEY have to pay your attorney fees if you win for such BULLSHIT. That's the LEAST they can do for bein' shithead busy bodies!

[ThomCat]

21. Absolutely.

:)

[Tangerine LaBamba]

18. It'll be all right .........

Sounds like there's lot of wiggle room. You'll be fine, and your visits will continue.

What's with the snitch who ratted on you?

[Inchworm]

19. I posted a Godfather clip above

:crazy:

The rat bastid was my concern as well ;)

:rofl:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

22. I'm Italian ............

and I'm also a lawyer.

Any questions?

heh heh heh

[ThomCat]

24. They won't say which neighbor complained.

But I know already that it was the new super. He's a worm, and unfortunately he lives in the one-bedroom next door to me.

I was too poor to pay a Christmas bribe to him. And he has only just started working here in the second week of December anyway, so I wouldn't have given him a Christmas bonus anyway. If I could have afforded it I would have found a way to send it to his predecessor who retired. But I think he's being petty because I didn't pay him.

How is that for petty politics? One more reason I'm looking to move.

He's a shitty building super too.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

27. OK............

Good to know and filed for future reference.

There are ways, you know....................

[rug]

12. Good luck.

If the hearing is in St. George and you're stuck, give me a pm.

[ThomCat]

26. It will have to be here in St George.

One advantage to living here is that i'm right near the court house. :)

Thank you. :hug:

[City of Mills]

16. Does she have vet records?

Between that and her name not being on the lease, it would be pretty easy to establish the dogs are not yours, case closed. Sorry about this harrassment, what a waste of time!

[ThomCat]

29. That is wonderful advice I had not thought about.

I should have. Thank you. :hug:

[bluesbassman]

30. Sorry to hear about this Thom.

Some people just have no other purpose in life but to be shitheads. I think you'll come out ok, it just stinks that you have to go through the motions. Good luck on a quick resolution.:)

[ThomCat]

31. Thank you.

I think it's just going through the motions too. It's just an expensive waste of time. :(

But, it would be far worse if it was more serious than it is. So I should appreciate it for what it is. :)

[onlyadream]

37. That really stinks...

when we used to rent, we got written up for making too much noise at night and this was BEFORE we even moved in!!! Needless to say, the neighbors were really turds.

[ThomCat]

39. Before you moved in?

Isn't that grounds for suing them for harassment? x(

That has to be a record for some kind of asshole.

[JenaLaw]

38. Thanks everyone...

for all the advise and the good luck vibes. They are really needed right now.

I HATE it that I am causing more stress for Thomcat...he has enough. He has done so much for me, and now he has to get hit with this. But, he is right in saying that I can not commute from where I live now to his place. The drive is about 2hrs each way, and filled with very expensive toll plazas as well.

Not to mention that my dogs...especially the Chihuahua...worship Thom. They get upset with me if they sense that I have been to see him and they were not included. And I like my shoes!!!! They do not need to be the victims of doggie revenge...

I hope we can resolve this easily, and without too much expense. Thom is right. He does not own the dogs. (but the dogs think they own him). Now, if only I could get a job offer in the city, so that we could find a more pet friendly place to move into.

Thanks again,

from Jack, Molly:



and Coco (aka Thom's keeper)

[Gormy Cuss]

41. I'm serving you notice, JenaLaw.

Somebody had better offer you a job in the city RIGHT THE F*** NOW.
It's cruel to keep those dogs away from Thomcat during the week. :hi:

[JenaLaw]

48. You are so right...

it is cruelty to humans to seperate them. I keep saying that 'Thomcat' is misnamed...he is too owned by the canines now...

[Flaxbee]

42. first, good vibes to JenaLaw for being able to move to

the city so you guys can room together in a dog friendly place!

Second, this is a weak, bullshit complaint, and there should be no issue. The dogs are hers, established by vet records, etc. And she visits to help you out.

If the super is the one who complained, and he continues to make your life difficult in small, harassing ways... well, you are disabled. Is he discriminating against you / harassing you because you're disabled? Creating an uncomfortable / hostile environment for you? Pestering you on behalf of the complex? Making it difficult for you to simply survive because he complains about the help you receive from friends and family?

I think he'd better watch his behavior so he and the apartment complex owners/landlord etc. don't get slapped with some sort of discrimination / harassment claim. Don't you? Just food for thought to keep tucked away. You of course don't want to get into a legal battle, but there are very mild, nonconfrontational ways to suggest someone's behavior might be interpreted in an unflattering light.

[ThomCat]

45. I don't think the thought has occurred to them that

they might be discriminating. It's worth dropping a hint even though I doubt that's their motive.

The super is being a petty asshole just because he's a petty asshole. The building management is playing along because it's a chance to possibly get rid of a long term tenant (me), and get my apartment to rent out again at market rates. They lawyers are going along with this farce because it's work and they want to get paid.

:hug:

Thank you.

[Kali]

43. would it be possible to talk to the complainer and explain the situation?

Are the dogs bothering him in ANY real way? (allergies, barking, poop, property damage) if not maybe a friendly conversation as human beings could inspire him to drop the complaint?

I hate to be sexist but if it is a man, baked treats often work wonders...just saying - getting lawyers involved isn't the only way to handle disputes.

[ThomCat]

44. Unfortunately, the building management won't confirm

who made the complaint. And once the complaint is forwarded to the lawyers it can't be dropped.

:(

Everybody involved knows the situation very well. I've already made the effort to explain the situation repeatedly to most of the staff. They know who Jenna is and why she is here ever weekend. They know why she has my key to the laundry room, and why she is here all weekend, etc.

[Kali]

46. well that sucks, I'm sorry

the advice above all sounds good - I was just trying to think if it could be handled by the actual parties involved but the system is set up to get lots of others involved. Too bad. Still if it ends up a big deal be sure to mention you are a nice guy and very reasonable and that it it too bad the complainer didn't try just talking to you about it in the first place. In fact I would hammer that home ESPECIALLY if you win.

Good luck, sorry the universe is blocking help and good intentions from Jenna - that really sucks. Hope she can land a good job nearby. (Can you move to her town? or is it another state?)

[MrsMatt]

47. You & JennaLaw will get the best vibes I have to offer

ThomCat, you are one of the nicest people I know - IRL or on-line. I don't know JennaLaw very well, but if you vouch for her, hey she's alright in my book. Here's hoping that everything bad in your life goes away to bother someone who richly deserves to be shit on.

And your complaining neighbors are fargin' iceholes.

[ThomCat]

49. Thank you very, very much.

:hug:

I can't wait for this to all be past, and for us to be someplace else that's better than this. :)

It would be nice to have nice neighbors.

[applegrove]

51. That sounds like a tough position to be in. I love dogs but sometimes

they bark and cause a ruckus. Good luck with pursuing your rights.