A bit more than 3 1/2 years ago, I moved into a new rental unit. While I was being shown the place, the manager told me (I remember the conversation clearly): "No dogs are allowed." I said fine, I don't own a dog. He said, "It's a $300 deposit if you have a cat." I said that's fine too, I'm allergic to cats. Then I said "I was thinking about getting a ferret." (I'm trying to be honest and up front, you see.) He thought a moment, then shrugged his shoulders and said "Well, there's nothing in the paperwork about ferrets." I took this as approval. When I signed the formal lease, it did have a "no pets without written permission" clause, but since the manager had said "nothing in the paperwork about ferrets", I (perhaps naively) figured it applied to cats and dogs, as he said, and did not think ferrets counted under their "pet" clause. After all, ferrets are generally classed as "small animals", like canaries, gerbils and hamsters. In any case, so I moved in, and Fred moved in with me. We have been here for 3 1/2 years (almost the entirety of his life), and there have been no problems, and not complaints. I have not been trying to hide him; his cage is visible from my front door, I have frequently taken him when I visited neighbors in the complex, and I routinely take him for walks when the weather allows. (ALWAYS on harness and leash.) I have NEVER had any complaints, about ANYTHING. Noise, animal, or anything else. About a year ago, however, the old managers (and co-owners) of the apartment complex retired. Management (and perhaps ownership?) passed to the sister, who had been the other owner, and who now was faced with managing our apartments. And things changed almost immediately. Suddenly, we no longer had a working swimming pool. Our communal area (workout room and place for groups to gather) was locked off and turned into a part-time office for the new owner, when she was here (she does not live in town). There was no notice of this. We were given formal notice 3-4 months AFTER it happened, with no offer of compensation. Last summer one neighbor said it cost her $400 to take her kids to other swimming pools, when she was already paying for this one, but couldn't use it. Now, today, I got a 10-day "comply with lease or vacate" notice, over having a ferret. The new management claims that THEY didn't know about it, and it violates the lease. A groundsworker, who may have a drug problem (just rumor but it would explain why she has been so incredibly nasty lately, for no apparent reason) apparently "ratted" on me because I was going out for a walk with Fred the other day, and stopped to chat with her. (If I were trying to hide him, would I do that??? Fact is, she had seen me with him before, a long time ago.) If you read literally, and had not been party to what was said earlier, it might actually seem to be a reasonable conclusion that this is a lease violation. They said they spoke to the old manager, but didn't tell me what he said. But again: it was my understanding that I had permission, and nobody has said anything for 3 1/2 years. I consider this to be "cruel and unusual". Cruel, at least. If ANYBODY has any idea how to defend against this kind of action in WASHINGTON STATE (sorry, California and other state laws do not apply), I would appreciate any help you could point me to. It would seem on the face of it that they have technicality on their side, but I have reality (if unprovable), witnesses, and 3 1/2 years of precedent on mine. Lonny Eachus [Posted in FML 7463]