I would follow the lawyer's advice on whether or not you should keep the dogs for a while, or if you can re-home the dogs to a good home on your own (craigslist is a good option).It's nuts that $400 over 4 months could make this person a "tenant," but this guy seems to be playing you and I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to cause problems if you goofed the eviction.Personally, if it was a friend's friend and they gave me $400 in cash over 4 months for shared food or something and I had no lease, I would likely take a huge risk and say screw them and change my locks.

LOL, Pat...2 real reasons for permits, public safety and money.

I offer prayers for those in Colorado for safety from the floods.

My wife is not thrilled at the amount coming out of my safety account, but probably happy I have a therapy house to swing a hammer at again.

If the landlord does not fix it, and Code Enforcement things the problem is a safety hazard, they will condemn the property which means no one can live in it (no rent) until the problem is fixed.

They include a safety switch that *prevents* water leaks.

Is your wife's incoming enough to support your family's minimum living standards (shelter and food)?

Anything that's related to "safety" or habitability must be ok.

I had my electrician once decide that there was a safety issue with the between the meter and the service head.

SUCH as storage units, cleaning business, bar/club, food joint, ect..:)Someone's gotta have something going...