$1,500-a-month California studio apartment rented to 2 cats
SAN JOSE, California -- Louise and Tina live in a quiet Silicon Valley studio. The two girls are best friends -- and cats.
Landlord David Callisch couldn't be happier with the two tenants renting the 425-square-foot studio behind his home for $1,500 a month.
"They don't drink," landlord David Callisch said. "They don't smoke. They don't play loud music."
Callisch was going to use the space outfitted with a bathroom, sink and television for Airbnb. However, his friend's daughter, Victoria Amith, was leaving for college at Azusa Pacific University. Her father was moving as well, and they needed a place for Amith's pets.
"I don't have the high standard of like, 'Wow my cats need a whole house to themselves,'" Amith said. "But that's just kind of how the cards worked out."
Amith's father pays the rent, and once word got out about the "kitty crib," the criticism rolled in.
"This wasn't my life long vision or dream to have cats as tenants, it just worked out that way," Callisch said. "They can never screw up the electronics.That's another good thing."
The Bay Area is in the midst of a housing and homelessness crisis, and many feel the space could be used for people.
"I would much rather have people in here that could use the place, but there's not much use for it other than staying one night or having cats," Callisch said.
The living arrangement doesn't seem to be permanent, and Amith hopes to take the cats once she moves off campus.
"I'll stay in there sometimes," Amith said. "My dad will stay in there sometimes. You know, it's a shared little space."
She's a freshman now. In the meantime, Louise and Tina have to abide by their lease.
----------
