Hello,

I recently moved into a new house and am renting out the townhouse I previously lived in. It's the first time I am renting to a tenant. The new tenant moved in Sept 1. Shortly thereafter (within a week) she told me she found mouse droppings so I paid to have an exterminator visit the house and do a treatment for mice.

The tenant contacted me yesterday stating there was still evidence of mice. So I called back the exterminator this morning--they offer a discount if they need to make another visit within 60 days. When scheduling the exterminator to revisit the house (which I planned to pay for again), she mentioned that the technician noted in the report from the first visit that the tenant had a pet rabbit roaming around the house, and that rabbit food and feces attract mice.

My lease states no pets allowed, and I also wrote that on the listing. I texted the tenant today asking if she has a pet rabbit. She replied that she is petsitting for her friend who is temporarily in Texas and that the rabbit is providing her daughter emotional support during COVID because she is not socializing as much. She texted me a photo of the rabbit in a cage, stating that she keeps it contained.

I realize I can reply to her and insist "no pets allowed" but how much can I actually enforce this if I am not inspecting regularly, which I don't want to do? I value being understanding with a tenant and the fact that they can feel emotionally attached to pets, but I feel I also have valid reasons for not wanting a tenant to have pets--potential damage to the house and case in point that them having this pet could be contributing to new pest issues. 

How would you suggest responding to this tenant? Do I draw a hard line and insist they get rid of this rabbit (I don't know whether it is their pet or they are just petsitting temporarily--I'm not so sure it matters all that much to me)? Do I make an exception? I feel angry that they went ahead with this without being honest with me and asking permission first, and am now worried about what else they might not be telling me about. Do I negotiate with the tenant and charge an extra fee/pet surcharge each month to cover exterminator costs and the potential for any damage? Any advice?

Thanks in advance,

Jon