A landlord commenced a holdover proceeding based on alleged violations of a substantial lease obligation. The tenant moved to dismiss the petition or, alternatively, leave to serve a late answer.

The landlord had served a notice to cure that stated that the tenant violated the lease by maintaining her apartment in a “filthy, cluttered, and deplorable condition that has created a fire hazard and threatens the health and safety of other tenants.” The landlord claimed that the tenant harbored approximately 60 turtles, a “pool like turtle habitat, four (4) dogs and two (2) cats as pets.” Neighbors had allegedly complained that turtles were “roaming the common areas of the…building” and there were “noxious odors emanating from (her) apartment.” The landlord asserted that it had been “unable to rent vacant apartments in the building” because of the tenant’s conduct.