Question:

Dear Elaine

I live in an apartment and my management company has written to me to say that I cannot have my dog in the apartment. My landlord didn’t advise me that I could not keep my dog in my apartment. I have been here for two years without any issue. What is the position?

D.

Answer:

When a person purchases a property in a managed development such as an apartment they typically sign a deed that contains a number of covenants or promises. I am assuming that there is a covenant in your landlords deed/lease which states that they are not allowed to keep animals. These covenants are put in place for the wellbeing of the development as a whole. Covenants extend not only to the purchaser of the property but to their assignees, tenants etc. I would advise speaking to your landlord and asking them to get a copy of the deed of covenants and examine the exact wording in relation to animals in the development.