We are purchasing a house from my sister,we have lived in it for almost a year.......

Question

Okay so we have had our dogs for two years and she has seen she is aware we own them her daughter has actually played with them with my sister standing there. Now all of the sudden we have to get rid of our dogs or get out we have four children. So what would you do they are mainly our kids dogs so If it was you would you get out or get rid of your dogs we have already payed for half of the house??

Answer 1

Having no paperwork on the house, she indeed would be held responsible through her insurance company if your dogs bit someone. having a fence means nothing.  A dog could get loose, could bite anyone you invite over.  You have an agreement with your sister with no paperwork, therefore its still legally her house, her insurance they would go after if sued. Someone, probably her insurance company, has given her a list of unexceptable dogs and you have them.  Her insurance company will not pay off on any of these types of dogs.  So, either pay off the house and get a bill of sale, or get rid of the dogs or move.  If you move, she is entitled to keep money for rent.  If you are paying her, say, $1,000 a month to buy and the average rental in that area is $700.00, then she would have to return $300. for each month you lived there.  However, if she was really mean and went to court, since you have no paperwork to buy the house, she can claim the rent was $1,000 and win.  

Its not worth it.  Get rid of the dogs or move. Unfortunately it will effect your relationship with her.  It is never a good idea to rent or buy anything from a friend or relative.  Even with paperwork.  It can cause too many hard feelings.

Answer 2

If you are purchasing the house, what business is it of hers that you have dogs or not?

I take it you are making this purchase on somewhat of a handshake?

If I were you, I would get an attorney involved. Have him write up a contract of the purchase by owner type contract agreement.

Based on what your sister is telling you, I would lose trust in the transaction I was making with her.

The attorney would be my top priority.

One other thing you could cosider is, offer a pet deposit to her to go towards the purchase so when you are down to the last payments, they can just add the deposits to it and you will be that much closer and or even make it the last payment.

Good luck! It sounds a little shady though.

On your sisters behalf though, I sold a home to some friends of mine a few years ago. I had just put brand new carpet, tile floors, painted etc.

A year later, they decided to stop paying and we hadn't signed the final contract. They were waitng to sell another home they owned they say.

Anyway, they left leaving me with stained and smelly carpet, Holes in the walls and broken window and a broken aircondition unit.

I had to replace all of the carpet once again, paint, replace windows and thankfully,the a/c only had a bad copasitor which only cost $90.00 to repair. My point is, that we trusted them at their word!

Never again will I experience that.

Answer 3

The only way she can require that you remove the dogs is to have a written agreement.  Even if you had an agreement, the agreement may not be enforceable.  The fact that she knew you had the dogs, and her daughter played with the dogs, is implicit agreement to allow dogs to be there.  It could also be considerred "select enforcement" of the rule.  She allowed the dogs, so that her daughter could play woth them, but now does not want your children to be able to play with them. If she took legal action, she would not have a chance.

I would keep the dogs. No doubt in my mine.  Why should you have your children and the dogs pay the price for such an action by your sister? It would be lke you are punishing them!

Answer 4

Are you planning on purchasing the property? Is there a contract in place? This is your sister? If you are going to own the property, tell her to go jump, you will keep your dogs, as half is already paid!!!!!

OK so: will you get your money back if she kicks you out with the kids and dog? If not, then you have a right to have the dogs there.

Answer 5

Well if your buying the house your way .If your renting the house their way.

Answer 6

You say you are "purchasing" the house. If you have done so legally, with a completed sales agreement and either deed of trust or mortgage (depending on the state), and have completed escrow (or the "closing", again according to the state you are in) the seller, here your sister, CANNOT tell you to get rid of your dogs. It is your house, subject to her lien, but you are the legal owner, and can make your own decisions regarding what you do with your property, the house.

Answer 7

there is something missing from this story. You paid for 1/2 of the purchase of the house in 1 year and you are about to complete the purchase? Do you have an agreement where a portion of your rent is applied to the purchase? Is there any contract? If the purchase is imminent, board the dogs and complete the purchase. If this is some down the road time frame and she is the landlord you have a problem. You do have a few options, negotiate an agreement, perhaps with increased rent or security to keep the dogs, get rid of the dogs, move or buy the place and do what you want.

Answer 8

Refuse.  Let her try to evict you - that's the only way she can legally remove you.  In the meantime, you need a lawyer.  You made a huge mistake in not having written contracts in place.  Yes, she's your sister - see what happens!!  You may have to sue her for the money you've paid her.  However, if you get a lawyer and she gets a letter from that lawyer, she may start to see reason.