Stupid Property Manager!!

UGH!!!! We got a new property manager a while ago. She saw me one morning feeding the outside cats and asked me why I was feeding them and she "wondered if it was a good idea." She said maybe we should take them to the pound to try and find homes for them.

I told her they were there when we moved in, and were there for a year before I started feeding them. So they weren't going to go away just because I stopped feeding them. I also told her it was incredibly unrealistic to think they find a home if I brought them to the humane society. Most of them are feral, and they are all very shy. I told her I wasn't going to stop feeding them. She could evict me if she wanted but I would still come back and feed them.

A week or two ago, she was showing an empty apartment, I feed them and then put Dylan in his stroller and started to walk away. She came out and asked if I was still feeding them. (DUH!) I immediately got defensive and said "Yes, it's not bothering anyone."

She said acted all authoritative and said it was bothering people. She told me to do it on the sidewalk behind the apartments.

The next morning I was walking behind the apartments, and the cats weren't following, then I realized I pay rent for my porch. I can feed them on it. Well she called my husband and told him we need to do it behind the apartments.

Don't I pay rent for my porch? He thinks she's going to try and kick us out if we don't listen. Can they do that? I wouldn't think they would want to, it would be a lot of work to put more people in this apartment. I'm so annoyed.

Have the cats been spayed and neutered? If they have been maybe that would make a difference if she knew that. Of course if she just dislikes cats or enjoys throwing her weight around then it probably wouldn't make any difference.

She's probably concerned that the cats might damage the property, even on your porch. If the cats damage it, it'd be coming out of your security check.

Are cats ALLOWED in the apartments? (check the contract if you are not sure) If they're not, she has a good reason for not wanting them on the property. If not, she has a job to do and keep the property animal-free.

Also, Rent is a privledge, not a right (to use your porch the way you want to). It is possible the manager can kick you out if she feels the neighbors are complaining enough, the cats damaging property and reproducing. A lot of places (not just apartment rentals), do not allow feeding of feral cats. I'd look into TNR for the cats to at least stop any reproduction.

I'd take her advice and feed the cats on the sidewalk, just to protect your security check and home.

I would check your lease agreement. I bet she is concerned about the aesthetics of the property. They could loose a potential renter over it. Are they cats TNRed? I do agree them being spayed/neutered might help the situation. And yes I would go ahead and feed them behind the apartments. She's at least meeting you half way this way. She could very well call animal control!! Don't rock the boat. Getting yourself kicked out now or down the road when its time to renew your agreement is not good for the kitties and it would probably make things more difficult for you guys with life with your little one too.

It sounds to me like she is just doing her job and though I don't envy her; I see nothing wrong or unreasonable with what she has asked you to do.

Originally Posted by MoochNNoodles

I would check your lease agreement. I bet she is concerned about the aesthetics of the property. They could loose a potential renter over it. Are they cats TNRed? I do agree them being spayed/neutered might help the situation. And yes I would go ahead and feed them behind the apartments. She's at least meeting you half way this way. She could very well call animal control!! Don't rock the boat. Getting yourself kicked out now or down the road when its time to renew your agreement is not good for the kitties and it would probably make things more difficult for you guys with life with your little one too.

It sounds to me like she is just doing her job and though I don't envy her; I see nothing wrong or unreasonable with what she has asked you to do.

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Agree with this completely

I agree, feed them on the sidewalk outback to avoid problems. I know how feral cats are, and they will watch where they know the food is. I don't know how your apartment complex is laid out, but I'm guessing if you have a front porch, other people do too, which means a front lawn. If they are waiting and watching for food, they will leave their droppings where ever they are. Not everyone is thrilled with having cat poop on their shoes after being in the yard. And not everyone loves cats live we do. One girl at work refuses to get out of the car if there are cats around. Another actually quit because she moved into a new place and didn't realize the front yard was full of planted catnip and freaked because she was afraid to go out of her house because of the cats.

Better to compromise and feed them where it may be a little more out of your way than have her call animal control and have them all put to sleep.

Also, if she still has a problem, you could point out that if they weren't getting fed they would be tearing apart her tenants garbage instead.

kscatlady, what does your lease say about pets?

Originally Posted by Draco

Also, Rent is a privledge, not a right (to use your porch the way you want to).

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To anyone who is renting a building, apartment, ranch, house or other property, it is YOURS for "full use and enjoyment" under the terms of the lease, by law, for the duration of the lease.

The owner retains the title, but during the lease it's the renter's property. It has nothing to do with privileges!

Originally Posted by Draco

It is possible the manager can kick you out if she feels the neighbors are complaining enough, the cats damaging property and reproducing....

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No one can kick you out of your place because of feral cats around the area, or neighbors complaining about them. If you have a "no pet" clause in your lease (doubtful since you are on this site) then the manager could try to call the ferals "your pets." Check out "Kansas tenants rights" if you're concerned.

Tell her for a few days you'll have to leave a trail of kibbles to the back of the apartment, then set their main meals there so they know that's the new feeding station?

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

kscatlady, what does your lease say about pets?




To anyone who is renting a building, apartment, ranch, house or other property, it is YOURS for "full use and enjoyment" under the terms of the lease, by law, for the duration of the lease.

The owner retains the title, but during the lease it's the renter's property. It has nothing to do with privileges!

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I was also in the situation of being threatened with fines and possible eviction for feeding 10+ feral cats (all but 1 TNR'd) even though there is nothing in my lease that states I could not. Your frustration is completely understandable. I am still angry and offended at the irresponsible, cruel people who allowed this to continue for years and gave me one day to pull the plug.

On the other hand, I suppose it is "logical" from a management perspective since feeding the cats might entice them to continue living on the grounds of the apartment complex and why should that permitted if resident cats are not allowed to free roam. So it is within the right of apartment complexes to ban the feeding of feral cats, even though the city may not. In my case, the manager also cited health (allergy) and safety concerns/complaints of fellow tenants, disrupting the dog paths (haha) etc. Or maybe it started when I didn't follow his "suggestion" of a standing bird feeder verses leaving seeds in pans on the ground. ....


On a more uplifting note, after a hugely emotional ordeal we did get the only adoptable semi-feral, on the verge of starvation, captured and rehomed. A couple of the others came by to see him a month later and actually looked perfectly normal. They had obviously learned to find food for themselves or were enjoying daily feeding and monitoring by another caregiver..Cats are usually self suportive, with or without a steady human food source.

Of course no stray cat is ever safe as long as he's still on the streets. I hope your story has a happy ending. ~~

Originally Posted by elayman

I was also in the situation of being threatened with fines and possible eviction for feeding 10+ feral cats (all but 1 TNR'd) even though there is nothing in my lease that states I could not.

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Anybody can make threats, but unless it is specifically stated in the terms of the lease, there is NO legal recourse to evict a tenant because s/he is feeding outside animals. If the lease states "no pets" the manager could argue that the outside cats are the pets, then there is a possible reason for eviction.

Most managers will take it out on the cats, not the tenants feeding them. I was in this situation once and the manager said he was going to shoot all the cats (in Texas). I had two weeks to find homes for all of them, it was difficult and heartbreaking. He could have shot them, but attempting to evict me because of the ferals would have been impossible AND illegal.

They might not find a way to stop you now; but they can choose to not renew your lease. It happens.

Yes, what is your goal in this situation?

I'd venture to guess that 80% of our population know little to nothing about Feral-Born Cats, and next to nothing about cats.

I think it's a good sign that she's even willing to allow you to feed the cats. She could call the Cat Catcher without your permission.

IMO, I suggest you try to make a friend of this person, explain to her about Feral-Born cats, things like they help keep the rat population down, and if they get removed it's likely that a new batch will fill in the void.

Helping a person be educated about the Feral-born cats is key, IMO.

Being a property manager is a difficult job trying to please the Owners, the tenants and the Law.

Maybe if she understands a little more about cats, and especially the Feral-Born cats, she'll be willing to be more flexible, and even helpful. ?

I'm guessing, but I think your goal is to care for the cats, and fighting with the Property Manager may not work in your -or the cats'- best interest?

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

Anybody can make threats, but unless it is specifically stated in the terms of the lease, there is NO legal recourse to evict a tenant because s/he is feeding outside animals. If the lease states "no pets" the manager could argue that the outside cats are the pets, then there is a possible reason for eviction.

Most managers will take it out on the cats, not the tenants feeding them. I was in this situation once and the manager said he was going to shoot all the cats (in Texas). I had two weeks to find homes for all of them, it was difficult and heartbreaking. He could have shot them, but attempting to evict me because of the ferals would have been impossible AND illegal.

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This property group doesn't ban cats but also doesn't allow even limited porch or free roaming time. Indoors only. And honestly, I was also feeling torn about not being able to trap two of the newcomers, which is the surest way to create a population explosion. If they are quickly trapped and altered or adopted out, the size of the colony will tend to decline over time. So if I could have maintained a situation that was stable and fixed....it could potentially have gone on unnoticed or ignored a little longer.

Renting is not a 'privilege' - it is a right. If rent is paid and assuming no clause is being broken, there is a right to occupy and behave as the tenant pleases. The property manager needs to remove what's up their backside and sit quietly.

elayman said:

This property group doesn't ban cats but also doesn't allow even limited porch or free roaming time. Indoors only. And honestly, I was also feeling torn about not being able to trap two of the newcomers, which is the surest way to create a population explosion. If they are quickly trapped and altered or adopted out, the size of the colony will tend to decline over time. So if I could have maintained a situation that was stable and fixed....it could potentially have gone on unnoticed or ignored a little longer.

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It seems to me, getting down to the technicality here (sorry, but that is how I function). You pay rent for the property, including the porch. Also depending on the state, feeding feral cats makes them your "pet and responsibility". I know in Texas, if you have given any financial assistance to a pet they are considered your property and you become responsible for them. Texas is fairly strict on it, in that if you even put a bowl of water out - you are considered "aiding" them (because your water bill costs...). And if you water that cat, then you are also responsible for any required vaccines and so forth. Unfortunately, this means that many cats get put down here or just left to die on their own because everyone is afraid to "financially aide" them.

Now on the definition of your property, if the lease says (which you state it does) that cats can be "indoor only", and you are feeding "YOUR" (You pay for them to get fed, watered, etc - so most states that makes them "your" pet), pet outside- then it is a violation of the lease terms. I would think you risk losing your security deposit at the least, and worst case is that they refuse to renew your lease.  I would suggest maybe do the TNR thing, but again depending on the state that might make them "your property".

DH and  I are so blessed with our property manager. They love, love, love cats. The maintenance and management have even come by to welcome our new cat when we got her Good Luck

PS

I found this about Kansas Housing Authority and wow, I am so glad we don't have those strict regs here in Texas

http://www.kckha.org/Graphics_Forms/frm-HM-80.pdf

Especially the one about requiring cats be declawed

Just a note that this thread is from 2011.

AbbysMom said:

Just a note that this thread is from 2011.

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LOL I didn't even think to check. Oh well , bumped post got me again!

What about claiming that feeding feral cats is part of your religious practice?