Vegan Landlord Puts a ‘No Meat’ Policy into Lease Agreement

In a charming Brooklyn building, Motti Lerer, a landlord with an unusual leasing requirement, has been making waves. Lerer, a long-time vegan, demands that tenants refrain from cooking meat or fish within their rented spaces, creating a unique eco-friendly living environment.

Source: The Social CTV/Youtube

Despite the building’s allure, featuring sunlit one-bedroom apartments and a historic charm, prospective tenants must agree to adhere to the no meat cooking policy before they can move in. According to Lerer, the policy originates from his dislike for the scent of cooking meat and the building’s lack of robust ventilation.

Interestingly, restrictions of this nature aren’t unprecedented. Previous instances include a Washington landlord providing discounts to vegetarian tenants and a UK landlord banning vegans from applying for a spare room. New York laws don’t protect tenants against such stipulations, much like restrictions on cigarette smoking.

However, the reaction to Lerer’s rule has been polarized. Some equate it to a policy against pets, while others perceive it as discriminatory and infringing upon personal freedoms. Despite this, Lerer clarifies that his objective isn’t to influence his tenants’ dietary choices but to maintain his comfort within the shared living environment. In fact, some tenants have welcomed the rule as an opportunity to reduce meat consumption.

Though the policy initially raised concerns about attracting tenants, Lerer reports little difficulty filling his apartments. Many younger tenants, Lerer points out, are more open to the policy, especially those who frequently order takeout meals.

As debates around the no-meat policy flourish online, it offers food for thought for both landlords and tenants about what constitutes personal freedom, shared living spaces, and the influence of our lifestyle choices on our environment.

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

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