If you are renting with a pet you’ll likely encounter extra costs, but why exactly do apartments charge pet rent? According to the Human Society of the United States, approximately 72% of renters in the country have pets. And if you’re one of them, you know how challenging it can be to find, secure, and afford a rental unit that allows your pet. Not only do you need to find a place that has enough room and suitable accommodations for your furry, feathered, or scaly roommate. You also have to consider additional expenses, including paying pet rent to your property owner or apartment complex.
Here’s everything you need to know about why property owners and managers charge pet rent or other types of pet fees.
Why do apartments charge pet rent?
An apartment complex or property owner may charge you “pet rent” or another type of pet fee, which are funds that help them cover any expenses to repair potential damage a pet might do to a rental property. You may be confident that your pet is well behaved and wouldn’t cause damage, but a property owner can’t guarantee that. So, they often charge some form of pet fee to help them protect their investment.
Even if your pet is a complete angel and doesn’t cause any actual damage, your pet does contribute to the typical wear and tear of a unit. Another reason you pay a bit extra is to help the apartment complex or property owners refurbish the rental after you move out and eliminate the signs of a pet, like fur or animal odors trapped in the carpet. In addition, there’s always the chance that an accident could happen.
Here are some common pet-related incidents that could occur in your unit that the pet fee could help the property owner take care of without too much money out of their pocket:
- Doing their business on the carpet or flooring
- Scratching doors, baseboards, or other features
- Cat spraying, which can damage carpet, flooring, and subflooring
Types of pet rent
You may hear “pet rent” and “pet fees” used interchangeably to refer to any form of extra payment to a property owner for having a pet in your unit. However, there are a few key differences between the types of pet fees you may pay when living at different units.
- Pet rent: This refers to a monthly payment on top of your monthly rent that allows your pet to live in the rental unit with you.
- Pet deposit: This kind of pet expense refers to a one-time, refundable security deposit that covers pet damage to the property by your pet while living in the rental unit.
- Pet fee: This refers to a one-time, non-refundable fee that allows your pet to live with you in the rental unit. However, this fee doesn’t always cover pet-related damage, so make sure to review your lease to fully understand the terms of this expense.
The amount you pay upfront or every month can vary from state to state, city to city, unit to unit. For example, some leaders in the property management industry suggest charging no more than between $200 and $300 per year, divided up into monthly payments.
Can property owners deny a pet?
Yes, property owners and management companies have the right to deny a renter’s pet. Property owners can also deny certain breeds, species, and pets over a certain weight. For example, you might find units that only allow cats, only allow small dogs and cats, or prohibit exotic pets like snakes. You might find units that ban “dangerous” breeds of dogs, such as Rottweilers and pit bulls, which people believe are more prone to aggressive behavior. You may also find units that don’t welcome pets at all.
If you love a rental unit that doesn’t allow pets or your specific kind of pet, there are steps you can take to negotiate or convince your prospective property owner to allow your pet:
- Offer to pay a pet deposit, one-time pet fee, or monthly pet rent.
- Offer to pay higher monthly rent or a larger pet deposit than what they request.
- Ask the property owner to meet your pet and get to know them a little bit as a way to make the property owner more confident and comfortable with letting your pet live in the rental unit.
- Provide reference letters from previous property owners and apartment complexes where you lived with your pet.
- Show proof of training documentation and letters of reference from animal trainers.
If these options don’t work, move on to another unit that welcomes your pet or is willing to negotiate with you.
Can apartments charge pet fees or deposits for service and emotional support animals?
The major exception to whether a property owner or management company can deny your pet is if the animal is a registered service animal, emotional support animal, or any other assistance animal. These animals aren’t technically pets as they serve a distinct purpose in helping you manage a disability. In this case, the property owner may request official reasonable accommodation documentation that states you have a disability that requires a service animal and how the animal helps with your disability.
In addition, federal housing laws also prevent landlords from charging you pet fees for service or emotional support animals. However, you may have to pay for any damage the animal causes to the property.
It’s important to note that property owners must maintain and protect their units so that future renters feel just as safe and comfortable as you do when you live there. Do your part to help maintain the space by cleaning up after your pet, reporting pet-related damage right away, and paying any applicable pet fees or pet rent. While it is another thing renters may have to budget for, it is one of the compromises you have to make if you live in a rental unit with your animal friend.
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