RE: Pet Deposit
How much is sufficient for a pet deposit. I have tenants that had a pet despite the lease saying no pets. They moved out and now I want to know how much I should withhold for the unauthorized pet?
Posted by
Roni S, MD
on
Sunday, April 26, 2020
RE: Pet Deposit
Instead of a deposit I prefer to charge an extra $25-$50 (depends on the type/size) a month for a pet fee. That way I get an extra $300-$600 a year that I keep and they are still responsible for damages with their regular deposit. And I still do not allow aggressive breeds.
Posted by
Scott H, VA
on
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
RE: Pet Deposit
Hello Anthony & Roni, Unfortunately you can only keep the amount of deposit that you used for repairs that were beyond normal wear and tear. This is also one of the reasons I charge the monthly pet fee. If I had a tenant that had an unauthorized pet I can show that I normally charge that pet fee and would keep fee out of their deposit. If they want to sue me for the money we can let a Judge determine if that is fare.
Posted by
Scott H, VA
on
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
RE: Pet Deposit
I have done it both ways. In the beginning of my landlordship, I charged a pet deposit of maybe $150.00. That's nothing if the pet does any damage (pee on carpet, chewing, digging) at all. So, I started charging $50.00 monthly per pet, non-refundable. Much better.
Posted by
Linda M, MD
on
Friday, May 29, 2020
RE: Pet Deposit
Newer versions of the EZ landlord lease (at least for Illinois) charge $500 for an unauthorized pet. But if the lease doesn't state that, Scott H is correct.
Posted by
John P, IL
on
Monday, June 1, 2020
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