Safeload Coverage
When it comes to renting with pets, it can be quite an adventure for you and your furry animal. First, you must search for pet-friendly rentals. Then once you find your golden ticket, you must face another set of obstacles — from pet rent, to pet deposits, to pet fees.
Never fear though as the Moving Help® Marketplace will gladly explain the differences among pet rent vs. pet deposit vs. pet fee before pet owners move into their new rental home.
What Is Pet Rent?
Pet rent is an additional monthly fee landlords charge renters for having a pet in the rental unit. Pet rent cover wear and tear during the course of your lease. Most landlords charge for each pet you own in your rental unit.
For example, if you have one pet, you might receive a monthly charge of $50. Whereas if you own two pets, you might receive a monthly charge of $80 — $50 for the first pet and $30 for each additional pet.
Pet rent isn’t refundable, and it’s due at the same time for the rest of your rent. This pet rent is supposed to cover the landlord for wear and tear that comes from owning a dog, cat, or another type of pet.
How Much Does Pet Rent Cost?
Pet rent can cost anywhere from $10 to $100. It truly depends on the state, city, location, pet size, type of pet, and your landlord.
Pet rent is typically not regulated, and it mainly depends on your landlord.
You can compare pet rent costs among different apartment complexes. You also can research your own area to see whether your location has any regulations.
Remember, a service animal is not a pet. You do not have to pay a pet fee under the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. These animals are considered medical equipment.
Also remember, emotional support animals — along with the proper documentation — are considered assistance animals, not pets, under the Fair Housing Act. You do not have to pay a pet fee.
What Is a Pet Deposit?
A pet deposit is an upfront and refundable amount you pay your landlord when you sign your lease. A pet deposit is supposed to cover potential damage your pet causes during the duration of your lease.
You should discuss with your landlord what’s consider wear and tear and what’s consider damage from a pet, such as replacing all the carpet, before paying your pet deposit.
The amount you pay for your pet deposit depends on the following factors:
- The number of pets you own
- The size of your pets
- The breed of your pets
- The rental unit’s condition
- Other landlord factors
Remember, a service animal is not a pet. You do not have to pay a pet deposit under the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. These animals are considered medical equipment.
Also remember, emotional support animals — along with the proper documentation — are considered assistance animals, not pets, under the Fair Housing Act. You do not have to pay a pet deposit.
What Is a Pet Fee?
A pet fee is a payment the tenant will pay its landlord for having a pet in the rental unit. A pet fee is not a refundable payment. It’s a one-time payment, too.
A pet fee covers general wear and tear along with any additional cleaning or maintenance that’s needed from the landlord while having a pet in your rental unit.
Remember, a pet fee is a non-refundable payment. A pet deposit is a refundable payment. A pet fee and a pet deposit are not the same type of payment.
You need to make sure you read your lease carefully, and you understand whether you’re paying your pet deposit or your pet fee or both.
Remember, a service animal is not a pet. You do not have to pay a pet fee under the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. These animals are considered medical equipment.
Also remember, emotional support animals — along with the proper documentation — are considered assistance animals, not pets, under the Fair Housing Act. You do not have to pay a pet fee.
Renting With Pets
Moving with pets comes with its own set of challenges before you even sign your name on the dotted line of your lease. You need to make sure you understand the differences among pet rent, a pet deposit, and a pet fee prior to signing your lease.
By ensuring you know the differences, you won’t be surprised before you sign your lease, during your lease, and after your lease is over.
To help you out, we’ve created a chart for quick reference:
Pet Rent vs. Pet Deposit vs. Pet Fee
| Questions | Pet Rent | Pet Deposit | Pet Fee |
| What is it? | Pet rent is an additional monthly fee landlords charge renters for having a pet in the rental unit. | A pet deposit is an upfront and refundable amount you pay your landlord when you sign your lease. | A pet fee is a payment the tenant will pay its landlord for having a pet in the rental unit. |
| Purpose for? | Pet rent covers wear and tear during the course of your lease. | A pet deposit is supposed to cover potential damage your pet causes during the duration of your lease. | A pet fee covers general wear and tear along with any additional cleaning or maintenance that’s needed from the landlord while having a pet in your rental unit. |
| Is it refundable? | No, pet rent is not refundable. It’s due each month at the same time as rent. | Yes, a pet deposit is refundable. The amount refunded back to you depends on whether your rental unit had any pet-related damage. | No, a pet fee is not refundable. It’s a one-time charge when you sign your lease. |
| Any regulations for? | Pet rent typically doesn’t have state or local laws, but you can check your area to be sure. The amount charged is up to the landlord. | State and local laws may limit the total amount landlords can charge tenants. | State and locals laws may or may not say how much landlords can change tenants for a pet fee. |
| Any service animal or ESA exclusions? | Yes, if you have a service animal, or if you have an ESA — with proper paperwork — you can’t be charged with pet rent. | Yes, if you have a service animal, or if you have an ESA — with proper paperwork — you can’t be charged with a pet deposit. | Yes, if you have a service animal, or if you have an ESA — with proper paperwork — you can’t be charged with a pet fee. |
Don’t Let Pet Rent, a Pet Deposit, or Pet Fee Derail Your Move
While it’s never fun dealing with pet rent, or a pet deposit, or a pet fee, it’s always worth it for our furry animals. Now that you know the differences, you’ll be more confident and feel more comfortable once you sign your lease.
When you are ready to finally move, the Moving Help Marketplace will be here to assist you. Our Marketplace has Service Providers who offer packing or packing, loading or loading, and other labor-only services.
Moving with pets isn’t easy, so make it easier by focusing on taking care of your pet when you move and let our Service Providers handle the heavy lifting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some top questions and answers when it comes to pet rent, a pet deposit, and a pet fee.
Q: Are Pet Deposits Refundable?
A: Yes, pet deposits are refundable. The amount you’ll receive will depend on whether your rental unit had any pet-related damage.
If you don’t have any pet-related damage, you should receive your deposit back in full.
Q: Is Pet Rent Normal?
A: Yes, pet rent is normal. It’s normal for a landlord to charge a tenant with monthly pet rent. It’s to cover wear and tear while you own a pet over the course of your lease.
Q: Can Landlords Deny a Pet?
A: Yes, landlords can deny a pet. The landlord can have a no-pet policy.
A landlord also might set restrictions on their pet policies, such as the number of pets, the type of breed, and weight, for example.
A landlord can’t deny a service animal or an emotional support animal, however.
Service animals are considered medical equipment, not pets. ESAs are considered assistance animals, not pets.
Q: Are Service Animals Excluded From Pet Rent, Deposit, and Fee?
A: Yes, you do not have to pay a pet fee, deposit, or rent for a service animal. Service animals are excluded because they’re considered medical equipment, not pets.
Q: Are Emotional Support Animals Excluded From Pet Rent, Deposit, and Fee?
A: Yes, you do not have to pay a pet fee, deposit, or rent for an emotional support animal — with the proper documentation. ESAs are excluded because they’re considered assistance animals, not pets.
Q: Is a Pet Security Deposit Refundable?
A: Yes, a pet security deposit is refundable. Whether your landlord calls it a pet deposit or a pet security deposit, they’re the same type of payment. The amount you’ll receive will depend on whether your rental unit had any pet-related damage. If you don’t have any pet-related damage, you should receive your deposit back in full.
Q: How Much Do Pet Security Deposits Cost?
A: How much do pet security deposits cost will depend on many factors including the number pets you own, the pet’s size, the pet’s breed, rental unit conditions, and other factors your landlord may include. State and city laws also may dictate how much a landlord can charge a tenant.
Q: Do Pet Fees Cover Damage?
A: No, pet fees do not cover damage. They’re typically a one-time, non-refundable payment. If any pet-related damage has occurred, your pet deposit will cover the damage.
Q: What Does a Pet Addendum Include?
A: A pet addendum is a legally binding document between the landlord and the tenant that’s added to the lease. It outlines all the information about your pet living on the rental property.
All the information included can vary depending on the landlord, but it typically includes your pet’s name, breed, weight, the financial terms of pet rent, the pet deposit, and the pet fee.
Additionally, it includes tenant responsibilities such as proof of current vaccination records, spaying/neutering documentation, leashing requirements, noise control, waste cleanup, areas your pet can and cannot be on the property.
Q: What Are Some Pet Breed Restrictions?
A: Some pet breed restrictions typically target the type of breed or weight of a dog. Some breeds that could be included are German shepherds, pit bulls, rottweilers, doberman pinschers, akitas, and mastiffs to name a few. Some weight restrictions could be no pets that weigh more than 100 pounds, more than 75 pounds, more than 50 pounds, or whatever the landlord deems the weight limit is for pets.
