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Here's another new form that promises to make renting to folks with pets a little more acceptable to landlords. The “Pet Addendum” form, (PA) just new in November, clarifies what a tenant with a pet or pets can and cannot do and is incorporated into the terms of the lease. Gosh, I wish this form was available a couple of years ago! As always, the landlord must agree to allow the tenant to have a pet or pets unless it is a service or companion animal. And there are new restrictions on that as well. For one thing, a tenant cannot have a “visiting pet”. Either, and only, the pets specified on the lease, or no pets. Further, tenant must agree to clean up after their pet (s) and to PROPERLY dispose of all waste. “Properly” does NOT mean tossing the waste into the street or leaving it to decompose in the back (or front) lawns or anywhere else on the property. Finally, an effort to invoke common decency! |
No odor or stains either. The addendum specific mentions damages for which a pet tenant may be held responsible. And one of them is odors and stains! Tenant must provide, upon request by owner or manager, the applicable license and/or vaccination record for the pet and represent that the pet is housebroken and has no history of threatening behavior or causing any harm to persons or property. Pet insurance is also required. If non-compliance to any of stipulations on the form is evidenced and the tenant has signed a lease, the landlord may revoke permission to have a pet with three days notice. And don't cry about the service animal or “comfort” animal issue. A tenant must have a note from a doctor, mental health professional or psychologist stating the need for such a companion and produce same for the landlord or manager. If the “comfort” animal is a potentially destructive one, the landlord can ask that the tenant replace it with one which has a milder disposition. The beauty of this is that the tenant can't lie any longer because they can be evicted for that!! Well, they can lie; but the landlord doesn't have to put up with it! |
The service animal must have the correct license and training papers. I know we all love our pets. We have two delightful kitties that provide entertainment and great pleasure. We also take good and responsible care of them and their surroundings. That is what this new addendum is intended to do. Here's another goody: A hold harmless for the landlord and property manager from all liability, claims, demands, damages and costs for injuries to persons or property in connection with tenant's pet (s). So, now, property managers will feel more comfortable too!
Carol J. Wilson is a Ridgecrest Real Estate broker for Wilson & Associates Real Estate Services. She may be reached at: 760-446-5959 or carolj@wilsel.com |
Well, here we go again getting the cart before the horse! The IWVGA is trying to get organized when there is nothing to do!!
I have an idea. Or two.
How about wait (I know that’s hard to do for some) until our elected officials who have been working on water issues for years see some results from their recent efforts regarding pumping and storage; Instead of continuing to be guided by the over weighted, proven-to-be inaccurate and out dated Todd report.
Vince Fong, our newly elected Assemblyman, is mounting an effort with federal agencies to pump and store more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. He is also encouraging bi-partisan support from state legislators.
This effort dovetails with that of Kevin McCarthy, our Congressman, in his 14 year long battle along with other representatives and Senator Feinstein, in the passage of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN) in December.
The next meeting of the IWVGA could be used to discuss the impact and the progress of these efforts.
In addition to a local ad hoc financial committee for the IWVGA, how about liaisons to Fong’s and McCarthy’s offices for up-to-the-minute information.
This way the most relevant data can be included in the IWVGA’s decisions to form the agency.
With more than 40% of the state reported to be drought free , Kern County’s drought classification has been reduced from extreme to severe and the Indian Wells Valley’s from severe to moderate. This with more storms on the way. And who says praying for rain is fool hardy?
The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Basin is NOT and never was critical as evidenced by this definition appearing in the Bakersfield Californian: “Symptoms of critically overdrafted basins include chronic groundwater declines, unreasonable land subsidence and significant seawater intrusion.”
Mammoth weather forecaster Howard Sheckter predicts our winters for the next 5 years will be as wet as they were in the 1960s if the models hold. There’s 25 feet of snow on the mountain now!! And when it melts, it goes into the local aquifers, the aqueduct and hopefully new storage facilities.
With the possibility, according to a January 26, 2017 post by the Mono Lake Committee, that Mono Lake may see a rise this year and newly available funding included in WIIN for another desalination plant in So Cal., perhaps the theft of Owens River Valley water by Los Angeles will be reduced so more water will drain into our basin.
Despite all this good news, the need to plan is still important. Especially for the storage facilities provided for in WIIN before the spring snow melt.
And who cares who gets the credit for forming the IWVGA? Get this task done the right way the first time. With all the information at hand and with correct guidance, the agency should come together perfectly in plenty of time.
Carol Wilson is Broker-Owner of
WILSON & ASSOCIATES REAL ESTATE SERVICES
She can be reached at 760-446-5959 or
Carolj@wilsel.com
Equal Housing Opportunity. CALBRE#00909104