Example "Chicken Policy"

[Shadylabartram]

First off, it's completely legal in my area to own chickens in the backyard. I have just short of 1/2 an acre in rural north carolina.

I asked my landlord if I could keep three chickens on the property to which he replied: "sure". And that was the end of the conversation. The property didn't look great when I moved in and I have made (what I think) significant improvements to the property and he comes by once a month to mow and says things look great. However, we've only lived here 6 months.

I had a whole list of things I was going to say to my landlord about: keeping the chickens on mulch as to not ruin the lawn, only keeping three, the run/coop (an Eglu Cube) would be removable once we moved out, that I would be willing to put down an extra deposit, I would be willing to get signatures from my neighbors saying it's OK with them, an addendum saying that if anyone complains I would get rid of them etc...

Now some have said "don't worry about it, he said it's fine" but I feel like I should have something written and signed just to cover my butt.

Does anyone have a sample "chicken policy"?

Thanks!

 

[Shadylabartram]

I just realized I probably posted this in the wrong place (sorry I'm new).

 

[akelley]

The same thing happened with our landlord. There is an old shed on our property that used to be a chicken coop, and I am getting chickens with the understanding that we will be fixing it to be a coop again.

We have no written agreement, but we did put down a pet deposit for the dogs.

If you feel like you need something written, and your landlord really is okay with it, then I don't see why you couldn't draft something and show it to him...

 

[GSDMommy]

I would get something in writing. It is best to cover your butt then to have him try to use it against you later if he doesn't like something. But if he says it's fine I wouldn't see him having a problem with it.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Take dated photos before and during and after (as in when you decide to move) to show that the condition, if anything has improved, and has not deteriorated. Keep within the legal requirements--if you go beyond what is allowed, it is likely to be your landlord, not you who is fined. He could then sue you for reimbursement or hold back part of your deposit (that would depend on your state's landlord tenant laws). If you have an email address for him, you can emails to show that you have his permission to have chickens. Or you could draft a simple policy similar to that for a dog or cat. I wouldn't go into details about how you are going to keep them, or the whys. What it needs to state is that you will prevent them from damaging the yard or house, and in the off-chance that they do cause any damage, that you will restore/repair. You should also state that you will stay within the legal bounds for zoning and other ordinances or statutes.

 

[GSDMommy]

Take dated photos before and during and after (as in when you decide to move) to show that the condition, if anything has improved, and has not deteriorated. Keep within the legal requirements--if you go beyond what is allowed, it is likely to be your landlord, not you who is fined. He could then sue you for reimbursement or hold back part of your deposit (that would depend on your state's landlord tenant laws). If you have an email address for him, you can emails to show that you have his permission to have chickens. Or you could draft a simple policy similar to that for a dog or cat. I wouldn't go into details about how you are going to keep them, or the whys. What it needs to state is that you will prevent them from damaging the yard or house, and in the off-chance that they do cause any damage, that you will restore/repair. You should also state that you will stay within the legal bounds for zoning and other ordinances or statutes.

Nicely worded, I agree 100%. The email exchange, I think, would be the right way to go, just because it can be worded more personal and less intimidating.

 

[Shadylabartram]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to write to my landlord tonight, very informally, and explain my intentions with the yard, coop, chickens, etc... (just the needed details about the property). You guys have been very helpful.