They cannot charge pet deposits and additional pet rent however they like. $100/wk for first pet + $50/wk for each additional pet). Other landlords may choose to impose a fixed pet fee of around $200 to $500. Thanks for everyone's input so far. If a landlord asks for pet fee plus deposit, it's important to note that pet fees will kick in first in the event of pet damage. What a Pet Deposit Covers. It’s typical for pet rent to range anywhere from $10-$60 per month. If the landlord wishes to charge a fee or deposit related to the tenant owning pets, they must enter the dollar amount of this fee/deposit and indicate whether it is refundable or not. In terms of the contract, the distinction between pet and show hinges on the responsibilities attached to each. In all states, it is illegal under federal law (the Fair Housing Act and Fair Housing Amendments Act, among others) to charge tenants with disabilities a pet deposit or pet fee for service or emotional support animals. Pet Policy: There is a pet deposit that is $250 for one pet and $100 for each additional pet with a maximum of 3 pets. There is a limit to the amount a landlord can charge you to move in. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Pet agreements: An overview. For example, if a tenant’s dog is well-behaved, but the tenant trashes the apartment to the tune of $1500 in repairs, the landlord can’t use any of the $150 pet deposit to clean up after the tenant. However , some U.S. states (namely Alabama, Delaware, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota and South Dakota) have a separate limit on deposit for pets. Dealing with Difficult Tenants - Problems and Fixes, How to Manage Overseas Properties by Yourself, Hiring Someone for Foreign Property Management, Complete Guide to Property Management Fees. If you are required to pay extra money up front to have a pet in your rental unit, then this money is regulated the same way as your typical security deposit. If you're concerned with damages, stains and odors caused by pets, you can ask your tenant for pet deposits and non-refundable pet fees. Depending on the state, these deposits might truly be deposits, because landlords must refund whatever amount they don’t apply toward repairs. California Law Regarding Pet Deposits. The same goes for a pet deposit, which can only be used for issues related to the pet. Otherwise, the money collected is a non-refundable pet fee. Still other landlords set up a refundable pet deposit that is separate from the security deposit. $100/wk per pet) or flat fee for the first pet and an incremental amount for each additional pet (e.g. Unfortunately, usually $400 per pet. Pet security deposits are usually between $100 and $600. Step 3 – Write in the number and type of pet(s) that the tenant will be allowed to have. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Instead of asking for a separate pet deposit, some landlords choose to impose higher security deposits. Note that the rate for monthly pet rent is also determined by how many pets live in a rental, along with the type of pets you allow on the property. Other landlords may choose to impose a fixed pet fee of around $200 to $500. That is an excellent question, and we're here to clear up the doubts once and for all: Pet deposits are refundable while pet fees are non refundable. There is also pet rent each month with $25 for the first pet, and $10 for each additional pet. For example: In Nebraska, you can ask for a maximum of 1 month's rent as security deposit, plus an additional 0.25 month's rent for tenants with pets. We charge a flat $20/per pet per stay charge because there is usually a lot of clean up involved after an animal stays in the space. Pet rent can range from $10 to $100 per month depending on location. Before deciding to collect a higher … A few states specifically allow landlords to charge an additional pet deposit (usually capped at a certain amount) to cover any damage caused by the pet. hardwood floors, carpets, curtains). Again, I think $200-300 is reasonable, although I have seen up to $500-600. If the tenant's dog causes $400 in property damages, then the landlord must use the pet fees to cover the first $300 and deduct the remaining $100 from the deposit. How much is a typical pet deposit? and small dogs will reduce chances of door damage, and aren't on the aggressive breed list. Before charging a deposit for pets in rental property, it's important to know that most states have a maximum deposit amount. Use this for the extra clean up and make it enough to set some aside for bad cases. All states allow landlords to collect a security deposit when tenants move in, and hold it until the tenants leave. This means if the rent is $2,000 a month, the pet deposit would run you anywhere from $800 (40 percent of $2,000) to $1,700 (85 percent of $2,000). Sublet Guide - Should You Give Permission to Sublet? There is your pet fee.I think $200-300 is reasonable. Rather than ask for a deposit specific to the pet, any damage would be covered under the tenant’s security deposit. There is your pet deposit. Others might ask for different amounts for dogs vs. cats. Screening Pet Owners for Rental Properties If you ever had pets in rental properties, you will know that the pets themselves aren't the real problem - It's often the irresponsible tenants who allow …. "Pet fees are a concern of most pet owners," says Alexis Bogen, director of leasing for Mirador Real Estate. In addition to the pet deposit, you can also ask for higher rents if your tenants are keeping pets in rental properties. In addition to/instead of charging potential tenants pet fees or deposits, a landlord may require tenants to pay pet rent. All of our homes are pet friendly! Landlords who are concerned about pet damage are usually better off charging a higher rent (if not prohibited by rent control or stabilization) or requiring a higher security deposit. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. By this definition, there are a few states that prohibit non-refundable deposits, namely California, Hawaii,Montana and Oregon. Finally, do not impose a pet deposit or fee for a tenant who keeps a service or companion animal. Most breeder contracts will make a distinction between a puppy that is “pet quality” versus “show quality” (or, more appropriately, “show potential,” since no breeder can predict with complete surety how a puppy will turn out). I like the idea of a seperate fund category for cleaning for pets. Housing Agreement must be fully signed while this limited-time promotion is in effect. While pet deposits and pet fees constitute a one-time charge, pet rent is a recurring monthly charge. Some landlords choose a one-time non-refundable deposit per pet up to two pets. With pet rent you'll pay a monthly fee as long as you and your pet live in the rental. On a one-year lease, 71 percent of the pet owners Rent.com surveyed said they would expect to spend $200 or less on a pet deposit… All Rights Reserved. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. You can charge either a flat fee per pet (e.g. Do you know what is a typical pet deposit amount to charge and what is the difference between between pet fees vs deposits? There are two key factors that you should consider when setting your deposit amount. A local landlord-tenant attorney can help landlords determine how to legally collect enough of a deposit or fee to cover any pet-damage expenses. On a one-year lease, 71 percent of the pet owners Rent.com surveyed said they would expect to spend $200 or less on a … A study from PetFinder revealed that the average pet deposit was between 40 and 85 percent of the rent. For example, if a tenant’s dog is well-behaved, but the tenant trashes the apartment to the tune of $1500 in repairs, the landlord can’t use any of the $150 pet deposit to clean up after the tenant. What Is Pet Rent? This means that you cannot keep a pet deposit because in the eyes of the law, a pet deposit = a security deposit. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Every Landlord's Guide to Finding Great Tenants, Every Landlord's Guide to Managing Property, deadlines for returning security deposits, Fair Housing Act and Fair Housing Amendments Act, Landlords who are concerned about pet damage, Collecting and Returning Security Deposits, Rent Rules: Rent Control, Increases, & More. If you decide to impose a specified pet deposit, keep it reasonable, such as $200 to $300 per year. Another study looked at short-term rental costs if you have a pet. The landlord must keep security deposits in a special escrow account or post a bond with the local municipality to secure repayment." "Pet fees are typical in new developments, and most of the older, pet-friendly landlords do not charge a deposit." If the fee is too great and a tenant decides to challenge it, a judge has full discretion in enforcing the charge. Typically, pet owners pay an additional deposit during the lease signing that covers any wear and tear the pet does to the rental. Some tenants remember the days when a pet deposit for a cat was as low as $50 or so. Should You Allow Pets in Rental Properties? Such animals aren't pets -- they are animals needed to accommodate a disability. For example, if replacing dog-urine-stained carpeting throughout the apartment costs $1500, but the landlord collected only $200 as a designated pet deposit, the landlord probably can’t dip into the security deposit to cover the remaining $1300. Pet-quality puppies are those that the breeder thinks will likely not grow up to be candidates for showing or breeding. In Texas on a pet deposit with $200 being refundable and $200 being non refundable, should any treatments etc the complex has to I received my refund from my previous apartment complex and noticed that they took a pet treatment to the carpet out of the refundable pet deposit … A security deposit cannot exceed one month's rent or $100... whichever is greater. In some states, such as California, landlords may not charge more than a specified amount (such as one or two months’ rent) as a deposit. For example: Your state laws allow a maximum deposit amount of 2 month's rent and you have asked for 1.5 month's rent as security deposit. Landlords who allow pets sometimes require tenants to pay a separate deposit to cover any damages caused by the pet. In this case, you can impose a maximum of 0.5 month's rent as animal deposit - Click here to see the maximum deposit amount for your U.S. state. In other states such as Arizona, Nevada, Washington and Wyoming, you will have to specify the purpose of all non-refundable fees (including pet fees) in the lease agreement. If people stay a shorter time or have a purse puppy that is with them all the time I sometimes waive the fee, or charge half the amount. Click here to see the maximum deposit amount for your U.S. state. Learn the answers here. On the average, most landlords ask for a refundable deposit of 0.25 to 0.5 month's rent. As for pet deposits, set the deposit at around $200 for 2 pets $125 for one then give discounts off the deposit if the pet was adopted from a shelter. The second factor is whether your rental property has fixtures and furnishings are more susceptible to pet damage (e.g. Unpaid rent and late fees cannot be charged to a damage deposit. The first factor is the number and type of pets. When you’re planning to lease an apartment with one or more pets, make certain that part of your lease agreement is a pet agreement or pet addendum. Under Seattle’s tenant-landlord laws, pet damage deposits can be no more than one-fourth the cost of the first month of rent. I have a small dog that the owner has allowed me to keep as long as I pay the $500 deposit-plus an additional $200 a month to keep the dog. The general purpose of the deposit is to ensure that a landlord has money for repairing damage caused by tenants and covering unpaid rent. How much is a typical pet deposit? The opposite might also be true: When tenants trash an apartment, the landlord cannot use any of the pet deposit to clean up after the tenant. Pet rent is extra rent charged for having a pet in your home. No matter what terms the landlord uses: "cleaning fee," "last month's rent," "key deposit,"or "pet deposit," it's all the same thing. Next, write the number of pounds that a pet is permitted to weigh. Can I be charge $500 pet deposit fee & $200 extra rent for my small dog? Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Is the pet deposit per pet? Viewers, responding to a KGW post, described paying as much as $30 or more per pet, per month in extra fees. The pet agreement should stipulate the regulation of pet size and weight, prohibited breeds, amount of pet deposit and if it (or part of it) is refundable. Typically, a pet deposit has to be enough to cover theoretical damage to the rental unit caused by the renter’s pet or pets. New applicants only; limit one resident per bedroom. States often regulate security deposits: For example, many states have laws limiting security deposit amounts and imposing deadlines for returning security deposits. The 1,626 sq. The combined amount of pet and security deposit may not exceed this maximum limit. She adds that for landlords who do charge a deposit, the amount can range from $250 to $1,000 per animal. For example: A landlord asks for $300 of non-refundable pet fees plus $600 in deposits. Dogs > Cats > Birds > Fishes in terms of possible property damage. © 2008- Propertydo.com. For example, if a tenant must pay $1,000 a month for rent and the landlord charges $250 a month rent for pets, a tenant with a pet would have to pay $1,250 every month. A pet fee is usually a one-time charge that is non-refundable and serves as an admission that you own a pet in a rental property.