pet fee vs pet deposit - Landlord Forum thread 355050

pet fee vs pet deposit by anonymous (IL) on November 12, 2017 @18:55

Is it legal in my state to do a pet fee, instead of a pet deposit. I currently have a no pet policy, but have someone interested in a house that has a 14 yr old cat. From what I'm reading online, pet deposits are refundable, monthly pet fees are not. I'm leaning more towards a pet fee because I really don't want to have to deal with 2 different deposits in the long run. I'd rather have 1 security deposit to deal with. I stumbled across a few sample pet deposit requirements that sound reasonable but am curious as to whether I can use them, stating if you follow these rules you can keep your cat, in addition to charging a pet fee. If the rent is $550/mo with a $550 sec dep, whats a reasonable pet fee. I'm leaning towards an extra $25/mo(I assume its classified as additional rent?). Is it safe to assume all this should be in writing, & that there should be something stating only the 1 cat is allowed, no offspring & no substitutes when the cat passes on, with something stating a rent decrease when that happens & that they follow city ordinances re: licensing & shots.

[ Reply ] [ Return to forum ]

Re: pet fee vs pet deposit by Garry (Iowa) on November 12, 2017 @22:50	[ Reply ]

I'm from Iowa, and I don't know Ill. laws. But since you found something online, it looks like our laws are similar. If you charge a fee, and the T stays 1 year, you have an extra $300 towards any damages, no matter how they are caused. (2 years would mean another $300 above your standard rent.) We in Ia. can charge a pet deposit, and it simply becomes part of the regular deposit, and can be used for any damages, or unpaid rent. In fact, we can charge a combination of both if we wish. But it's up to the prospective T if they want to pay what you ask, for their pet(s). A 14 YO cat, is very likely trained to a litter box, so I doubt you will have much trouble with the cat. If the T checks out OK in other respects, rent to them. Just remember, if you get "greedy" in wanting extra for the cat, the T may just walk away, and find some other LL more accommodating. I would suggest a combo of $100 extra deposit and $15/mo extra rent, and see if the T will go with that. And, yes, put everything in writing.

Re: pet fee vs pet deposit

Re: pet fee vs pet deposit by Stephen (Washington) on November 13, 2017 @09:54	[ Reply ]

Can the pet deposit be treated as part of the regular deposit? I’ve seen posts on-line regarding keeping those separate. I.e. pet deposit being available for only pet related damages. For example, there is damage that exceeds the regular deposit but obviously is not pet damage. So it was argued that those costs could not be charged against the pet deposit. This sets up the situation where the LL has to refund the excess pet deposit while trying to collect additional expenses for that other damage from the tenant. So, while I normally don’t allow pets, when I have I increase the regular deposit (no separate pet deposit). One time I also charged a fee up front for getting the vacant unit treated for fleas. That worked fine for us.

Re: pet fee vs pet deposit by Anonymous (Ohio) on November 14, 2017 @20:11	[ Reply ]

We like pet fees. If the animal does any damage a $250 deposit is NEVER going to be enough. If you charge $25 a month for a cat and the tenant stay 5 years well you have collected $1500. if all you took was deposit you only got $250 and you would have to give it back if there wasn't any damage (which most of the time is true). A pet fee is a fee paid to compensate the property owner for taking the risk of permitting the animal. People have never complained about our monthly pet fee. It also is easier for people to come up with instead of additional deposit. We charge $25 per cat. $1/lb for dogs, minimum of $25. The pet fee does not relieve them of the responsibility to not allow your property to be damaged! You can still sue and collect for the damage. At least in Ohio. But the reality is you probably won't collect even if you sue. So the best strategy is to cover yourself with the fees. If you don't accept pets you really limit your prospect pool. I see ALL the pet fees from our properties as collectively spreading the risk around all of our properties. Really terrible pet damage is rare but when it happens you are talking thousands of dollars in replacement of flooring, exterminating for fleas, getting rid of smell (by tearing stuff out), replacing scratched wood. We have never had a dog bite or attack but that is another risk you take. We once had a house where we did not agree to a pet. The people lived in the house for ELEVEN MONTHS months and apparently had an unneurtered cat. The house smelled like a giant litterbox. Our insurance actually paid a $10,000- that's right $10,000! When I claimed this I figured it was a shot in the dark and the insurance would not pay. What saved us was the lease in which we did not agree to any pets. These people actually replaced the carpet when asked (which BTW was new when they took possession). Prior to moving out they hired some guy to pressure wash the basement. But there was still so much damage. It was so gross and the lady was some culinary person--YUUCKK! I got in the house before she knew I was coming.I don't remember why I knew I had to get in. They had broken the lease, maybe the electric was off. They had changed the locks, We crawled through a window and it was unbelievable what we found and smelled. I just can't even describe it. SICK. Crap everywhere.

Re: pet fee vs pet deposit by Anonymous on November 16, 2017 @19:42	[ Reply ]

Texas LL here. For my SFH I mirror my county apartments' fees for pets, $350.00 for one or two pets up to 30 pounds total weight. But unlike the apartments I do not accept any aggressive breeds per my insurance company. I have had prospective tenants wish to bring their 90 pound non-aggressive dog with them. That's simple: 3 X $350.00 = $1,050.00 non-refundable pet fee and they go away. My current military tenants gladly paid the $350.00 fee for their two cats. Oh, I have a new cat door installed for their kitties into the garage.