I moved into an apt on Oct 3, 2008. Our landlord stated verbally "no cats/dogs. I have asked for our lease and still do not have it. Our daughter would love a cat, but we are afraid to get one, have the lease finally given to us, and have to get rid of the cat. Any advice?

Marta1Dream

Try to talk to your landlord like to another human beign and tell him how much your daughter loves the cat and that you will take all measures not to distroy the property-remove the claws, spay or neuter, and if any damaged is produced by the cat you will pay for it-reasanoble damage.
See if that works-leggally I think he/she is right.
Good luck,
Marta

Lowtax4eva

Without a paper lease you are there month to month but still have to abide by the landlords rules. I agree, just ask them to make an exception so you could have a cat but without a lease they can ask you to leave at any time with 30 days notice.

JudyKayTee

This is the law board and I appreciate that but I'm involved in animal rescue and can't let this pass.

I find declawing cats to be remarkably cruel - it would be like chopping off people's fingers to avoid fingernail marks. Some cats live the rest of their lives in pain. Others do not.

Certainly spay and neuter.

And I don't think you offer to pay for "reasonable damage." You offer a pet deposit and you pay for all damage as long as it's the cat's fault.

Just on general principles I would get the lease signed - you are month to month now and could be evicted at any time for any reason with proper notice. No security there.

ScottGem

It would help if you read the OP carefully. the OP didn't say they had a cat, just that the daughter wanted one. She specifically said they were afraid to get one.