i've had a 55-gal fish tank with bells and whistles from move-in under a 'no pets' lease for over 2 years.

As a landlord, when I say "no pets" (which I actually don't -- I love pets and I love pet people) I would mean four-legged pets. And maybe birds if they talk -- I had a friend who's bird was so loud it drove the entire neighborhood nuts.

ALL pets, otherwise it would be 'no pets above 20 (or whatever) pounds'. Realistically what can you get away with- caged pocket pets and fish.

Asking the landlord is your best bet. I've seen some rental contracts that spelled it out, including an allowance for fish tanks below a certain size/capacity, while others just have the more general language. I'd personally want it in writing to avoid issues later.

Hamsters are not smelly.

Our lease is "no pets", but I bring my fish home every summer (I'm a teacher), and my landlord doesn't have a problem with it. If it were a very large, more permanent tank, she would probably take issue with it, but it's a smallish bowl of guppies. A hamster would be different, I think, since it can escape and hide in the house.

all duh

Ask the landlord. For our apartment before we bought our home, it was NOTHING. I totally understand -- hamsters are smelly and fish tanks can be leaky. Usually no pets = no pets.

Usually dogs and cats or any other free animal. Possibly birds. About the really small ones, you'll just have to ask the landlord.

Just curious for people's take on "no pets". Do you take that to me no pets of any kind or just dogs and cats? Is it ok to have some goldfish in a bowl or a hamster in a cage?