Yay for rat love! Boo for no pets. It angers me so much that children are legally allowed almost everywhere but pets can be banned from anywhere :( Pets can be a vital companion!
I was looking into a piggie but they need a much bigger cage than I have space for, and I ended up with a hamster this time. But I do think guinea pigs make lovely pets too and I hope you get your wish.
That, or you're going to have to come up with a need for an assistance animal which overrules most 'no pets' laws :P
*hugs*