Woonsocket Housing Authority, RI Chapter A52 LEASE ADDENDUM REGARDING PETS

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Commissioners of The Housing Authority of the City of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, 9-13-2013 by Res. No. 1108.

Editor’s Note: This lease addendum supersedes the former lease addendum adopted 3-5-1987 by Res. No. 593.

Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Admissions and continued occupancy policies — See Ch. 4.

Equal opportunity housing plan — See Ch. 8.

Section 8 programs — See Ch. 26.

Tenant handbook for family projects — See Ch. 36.

Tenant handbook for high-rise buildings — See Ch. 40.

Standard lease — See Ch. A51.

§ A52-1 Lease addendum regarding pets.

Tenant:	Description of Pet:
Address:	City License No.:
Telephone:	Vet Vaccination Date:

Tenants of all properties owned and managed by the Woonsocket Housing Authority may own and keep common household pets subject to the terms and conditions as described in the Authority’s Pet Policy. In accordance therewith, I agree to accept full responsibility for my pet as follows:
Certificate and Approval
1.	My pet will be approved in writing by the Housing Authority prior to moving upon Authority grounds, and I will keep my written approval available. Once a year on the anniversary date of my leasing, I will update my pet registration. I understand that I must renew my approval with the Authority yearly.
2.	That certificate of annual licensing by the City of Woonsocket will be provided to the Authority prior to the approval of the pet, and I shall file all renewals annually.
3.	I agree to abide by all local animal regulations.
4.	My pet is neutered or spayed, and I will provide written veterinary certificate of such to the Authority prior to bringing the animal onto the premises. If the animal is too young, I agree to have it neutered or spayed when it reaches the age of 6 months.
5.	I will provide written proof of yearly distemper boosters and rabies boosters. I understand that my pet is required to be inoculated in accordance with state and local laws and will provide written proof of such inoculations.
Deposit
6.	I agree to pay a pet deposit upon leasing or if after leasing I receive approval from the Authority to bring a pet to my apartment. This deposit shall be paid in advance. The initial deposit will be $50, and an additional $10 will be paid monthly until a total of $300 is paid. At no time shall the security deposit and pet deposit together exceed one month’s periodic rent. The pet deposit will be used toward repairs, cleaning, treatment for flea infestation, or replacement of any part of my apartment or premises damaged by my pet, and/or removal, care and nurture of the animal. This deposit is refundable if no damage is done as verified by the Authority, after either my pet or I vacate the premises.
Pet Restraint
7.	Cats and dogs will be kept inside the apartment and not allowed to roam freely. They must be walked on a leash at all times and away from the apartment grounds.
8.	Pets shall not use common areas inside of buildings except for the purpose of passing to the outside of the buildings affected in an elevator designated for pets and transported to and from apartments to the outdoors in pet-carrying cases (except for Seeing Eye dogs).
9.	A litter box will be provided if my pet is a cat, and sanitary conditions must be maintained at all times. The litter box must be cleaned twice a week and disposed of in the area designated by the Authority.
10.	The litter box must be kept in the apartment at all times.
11.	Fecal droppings outside of building, if any, shall be picked up and disposed of immediately in a sanitary manner by the pet owner in the area designated by the Authority. Failure to remove pet waste as required will result in a charge of $5 for removal.
12.	I shall take adequate precautions to eliminate any pet odor within the apartment and to maintain the apartment in a sanitary condition at all times.
13.	I shall take adequate precautions to prevent pets from disturbing neighbors (e.g., barking, howling, loud meowing, scratching, biting, etc.).
14.	I shall not alter the apartments, patios or any other portion of the premises to create an enclosure for an animal.
15.	No pet may be kept in violation of humane or health laws.
16.	The types of animals allowed as pets shall be limited as follows:
	(a)		One dog not exceeding 20 pounds in weight or 12 inches in height at maturity; or
	(b)		One cat.
	(c)		One pet per tenant at any one time.
17.	No more than two small caged birds, i.e., canaries, parakeets, finches, etc., must be included in the addendum. Birds must be confined to a cage at all times.
	(a)		Aquariums may be no larger than 20 gallons and must be sealed against leakage.
	(b)		One gerbil or one hamster or one rabbit.
	(c)		No birds of prey or other dangerous species may be kept.
18.	Tenants are prohibited from feeding stray animals. Feeding of strays shall constitute having a pet without permission from the Housing Authority.
19.	Visitors or guests are prohibited from bringing any unauthorized pet onto the grounds or into a unit.
Pet Care
20.	In case of emergency or illness, the following person will remove my pet from my apartment and be responsible for its care:
		Name and relation:
		Address:
		Telephone:
		Responsible person's signature:
	The pet will be removed by The Woonsocket Housing Authority if:
	(a)		The pet becomes a threat to health and safety.
	(b)		The owner becomes incapacitated and the responsible person named is not available.
21.	I understand that if for any reason my pet is left unattended for 24 hours or more, the Authority has the right to enter the apartment to remove the pet and transfer it to the proper authorities, e.g., the local animal shelter or humane society. I will hold harmless the Authority in such circumstances.
22.	If the Authority determines that a pet is a nuisance or threat to the safety or security of person or property, it may request the immediate removal of the pet from the premises. A copy of the Housing Authority’s grievance procedure will be made available to you upon request.
23.	The Authority will be entering your apartment within 60 days or at all reasonable times thereafter after you have signed this addendum to see that the pet and the apartment are being cared for. Should we find any damages to your apartment resulting from the pet, you will be responsible for the damages.
24.	I agree to abide by all rules and policies regarding pets established by the Authority now and in the future.
25.	Tenants who violate these rules are subject to:
	(a)		Being required to get rid of the pet within 10 days of notice by the Housing Authority; and/or
	(b)		Eviction.
26.	I agree to move to a designated area of the complex, for those residents with pets, should the Housing Authority deem this necessary. The Authority will assist in the moving effort.
27.	I agree to renew this addendum at the expiration date and at the expiration of the City license.
28.	Pet rule violation procedures:
	A.		Notice of pet rule violation. If the Authority determines, on the basis of objective facts supported by written statements, that a pet owner has violated a rule governing the owning or keeping of pets, the Authority may serve a written notice of pet rule violation on the pet owner. The notice must:
			(1)	Contain a brief statement of the factual basis for the determination and the pet rule or rules alleged to be violated.
			(2)	State the pet owner has 10 days from the effective date of service of the notice to correct the violation, including, in appropriate circumstances, removal of the pet, or to make a written request for a meeting to discuss the violation.
			(3)	State that the pet owner is entitled to be accompanied by another person of his/her choice at the meeting.
			(4)	State that the pet owner’s failure to correct the violation, to request a meeting or to appear at a requested meeting may result in initiation of procedures to terminate the pet owner’s tenancy.
	B.		Pet rule violation meeting. If the pet owner makes a timely request for a meeting to discuss alleged pet rule violation, the Authority shall establish a mutually agreeable time and place for the meeting but no later than 15 days from the effective day of service of the notice of pet rule violation. At the meeting, the pet owner and the Authority shall discuss any alleged pet rule violation and attempt to correct it. The Authority may, as a result of the meeting, give the pet owner additional time to correct the violation.
	C.		Notice for pet removal. If the pet owner and Authority are unable to resolve the pet rule violation at the pet rule violation meeting or if the Authority determines that the pet owner has failed to correct the pet rule violation within any additional time provided, the Authority may serve a written notice on the pet owner to remove the pet. This notice must contain a brief statement of the factual basis for the determination and the pet rule or rules that have been violated and state that the pet owner must remove the pet within 10 days of the effective date of service of the notice of pet removal and state that failure to remove the pet may result in initiation of procedures to terminate the pet owner’s tenancy.
	D.		Initiation of procedures to remove a pet or terminate the pet owner's tenancy.
			(1)	The Authority may not initiate procedures to terminate a pet owner’s tenancy based on a pet rule violation, unless: the pet owner has failed to remove the pet or correct a pet rule violation within the applicable time period specified in this section and the pet rule violation is sufficient to begin procedures to terminate the pet owner’s tenancy under the terms of the lease and applicable regulations.
			(2)	The Authority may initiate procedures to remove a pet under Section 22 at any time in its sole discretion, in accordance with the provisions of applicable state or local law.

I understand that permission to keep my pet on the premises can be revoked by the Authority if I fail to comply with the rules and regulations or permit my pet to become a nuisance.
Tenant's Signature:						Date:
License Expiration:						WHA Expiration:
Public Housing Manager:						Date:

NOTE: One pet per form.

All local ordinances and state laws are applicable to this pet policy.