Aquariums In Apartments

[StagnantSun]

My partner and I are getting settled back into keeping fish. Right now we have two bettas and an outdoor container pond that holds about 17 gallons growing water lilies. I'm ready to start cycling my old 38 gallon, but I've run into a problem. While looking over our lease, I saw that any animal, even fish, kept in the apartment must have written permission to be there.

I'm no stranger to being shady with my animals where I've lived. I know that's not something to be proud of, but I've slipped under the radar before. But we're trying to be legit this time, so I've gotta call the office tomorrow and find out what I have to do to keep my 38 gallon. Technically I'm already in violation because of the bettas.

My first apartment wanted a $600 deposit to keep a 20 gallon. My question to you all is, what deposits or requirements have you had to work with to keep fish in your apartment?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi StagnantSun

I live in an apartment too. Lucky for me, where I live now, they don't mind my fish but I did expect to have some problem once they realized that I had so many. (Check the link in my signature and you will see what I have.) Surprisingly, they didn't but told me I would need to get insurance. This cost me less than $200 a year. I live on the second story of an apartment building and it has concrete floors under the carpet.

When they came to inspect my tanks, we did discuss some things that might be useful to you. For one thing, I pointed out that I've gone back to using the old fashioned pumps and box filters. While they can leak, the chances of them doing so are much less than the hang on back filters that can clog and pump a lot of water onto the floor. Another thing is that the stands I use are metal and will not fall apart or tip over.

Good luck to you when you contact the management.

 

[KittyKat]

My last house has a "no animals" clause as well, but given that I was moving in with fish tanks, wanted to convert one of the rooms to a fish room and my housemate was also a fishkeeper (whom I met on one of the forums around the internet), we insisted that they include just "fish" as an exception. Apparently they imagined a goldfish bowl when they agreed, but by the time they realised that we were both serious about our fish, it was too late for them to get out of it.

Our current apartment contract says only "no dogs and cats without prior permission", apparently they can be a hazard if they get out and run down the stairs. Fishkeeping is very popular in Germany and rental agreements are very liberal, under the condition that the apartments are returned in the exact state that they were given. In fact, fishkeeping is so popular here that all basic contents insurances specifically state that they cover aquariums, and water damage if they leak.

 

[StagnantSun]

Good news! I talked to the apartment complex and they said there should be no problems with the size of tank I'm setting up, and no deposit! So all systems go.

 

[Randi]

Let me give you a different perspective. I am a landlord and the insurance I keep on properties is different than regular homeowners insurance. It does not cover the renters property. I must inform the insurance company if I want extra coverage for things like water damaged caused by a leaking fish tank. In my case, the pet deposit I ask for is equal to the insurance deductible, so I will not incur any losses caused by pet damage. If a tenant did not report that they had a pet, the insurance company would not cover the damage and the renter would be responsible for all repairs, which in the case of a fish tank leak could be thousands of dollars.