Listen, listen, listen.

Listen here, and listen good:

It is so important to ask the right questions, but it is even more important to listen to the answers you're given.

Chicks, man.

Want pets in your apartment? Is it extremely important to you to have your furry little companion? Is it a dealbreaker? You might want to ask this first and foremost, and then don't glaze over the fact that the property has a zero tolerance no pet policy and make yourself believe that what we actually meant is go ahead, have five dogs in your apartment.

Overall, as Michelle said in a previous post, this is not your property. You are renting it from the owners. You are a renter. Therefore, it might be in your best interest to take the time to listen to the rules of the contract you are signing.

Case in point- Recently, we had a tenant who asked us about having a dog. We said no. It says on the lease contract, no pets! You will get a fine! What happens? We find out she has not one dog, but two dogs. We give her a violation. She comes in and says that he thought the fine was "just a deposit" for having a pet. See? This tenant glazed over what was said multiple times and heard only what she wanted to hear.

I personally love it when the tenant tries to blame the Mama and Papa Bear up in the office for something they do. They try to pull the- "Well, Marie said I could have a dog!" or the "But Michelle said I could pay my rent in three weeks without a late fee!"

Honestly, we have excellent communication between the two of us. We know everything that happens on this property, even if we weren't the ones who personally dealt with it. Also, there is no way we could conveniently forget that pets are by no means allowed and tell you, the tenant, that SURE! Have a couple animals. Why not farm some chickens in there too? Just as long as we get some farm fresh eggs every week, it's cool.

I think not.

So, dedicated readers, here's the thing: Don't hear what you want to hear, and when you do, don't be immature and try to pit the people in the office against each other. They don't believe you, and you will be the only one looking like a moron.