otherwise great tenants hiding ferrets - how to proceed

[Conor Meehan]

I recently discovered our tenants are hiding their ferrets in the basement of our duplex.  They are otherwise good tenants - pay on time, responsible and friendly neighbors.  They were keeping them at his mom's until she moved in w/ her boyfriend and then they snuck them into our basement.   The ferrets are caged in the basement.  I'm just upset that they tried to hide it and in doing so violated our lease.  

What is the best way to handle this?  I want them to feel at home and stay for a long time because overall they are good tenants, but I also feel like I need to lay down the law here.

[Matt K.]

Why not allow them to come up w/ a solution, by asking them. Start a casual conversation and mention how the new addition to their family isn't part of the lease, but your willing to work with them. Then ask them what they think is fair, maybe they say something as good or better then you'd of offered. If you do this, go w/ the awkward silence after you ask them, let them answer and if silence is there let it linger till they tell you.

If they don't have a good offer then tell them what you were thinking (higher option) and if you like them why not offer a "discount" since they are "such good tenants".