Pet Rent vs Pet Deposit: What Is It For?

Pet-friendly rental properties are widely sought-after in many markets. However, did you know that landlords may ask for a pet rent and a pet deposit to account for possible pet-related risks? More so, these two have particularly different purposes in a rental lease agreement. Know more about pet rent vs pet deposit and how these fees apply before signing your lease. Let’s begin!

Key Takeaways

• Pet rent is a recurring monthly fee that helps landlords offset the ongoing costs of allowing pets, while a pet deposit is a one-time payment that may be used to cover pet-related damage beyond normal wear and tear.
• If your pet doesn’t cause qualifying damage, you may receive all or part of your pet deposit back after moving out. Pet rent, however, is considered part of your monthly housing costs and is generally non-refundable.
• While qualifying assistance animals may be exempt from pet-related fees in certain situations, recent HUD policy changes have altered how emotional support animal (ESA)-related complaints are enforced.

What Is Pet Rent?

Coming from our experience in Atlanta property management, we know that the pet rent and the pet deposit are two different types of fees that landlords commonly impose when allowing pets in their rental properties. This follows the notion that having pets exposes rental properties to greater wear and tear. But what exactly is the difference between pet rent vs pet deposit? Let’s start with pet rent.

Pet rent, as the term suggests, is an additional monthly fee that landlords impose for having pets live in the property. This is an additional monthly fee added to your rent for keeping a pet in the rental property. While pet policies and rules may differ from one landlord to another, some pet rents are applied on a per-pet basis. This means that if you have two or more pets, then you’ll be paying pet rent for each one. On other occasions, landlords may have different pet rent rates depending on the type of pet.

Now, the purpose of the pet rent is to account for the additional damage and wear and tear that the property may experience from allowing pets. For example, dogs and cats may scratch wooden floors and furniture, or strong pet odors may stick to carpets and other upholstery. Another example is when pet dander and fur may require more frequent HVAC servicing and filter replacements. The pet rent is designed to address these risks and cover the higher operational costs of maintaining a pet-friendly rental property.

What Is a Pet Deposit?

Now, what about the pet deposit? At first glance, the concept of pet rent vs pet deposit may seem like they are not different at all. However, that is not exactly the case. Here’s why:

See, while the pet rent is a monthly recurring charge, the pet deposit is a one-time payment that is typically required at the start of your lease. And, similar to your security deposit, the pet deposit is meant to cover the cost of repairs for damage beyond normal wear and tear caused by your pet. The primary purpose of the pet deposit is to provide the landlord with certain safety and security against major repair expenses.

Taking this into consideration, pet deposits typically follow the same guidelines: if no repairs are needed, the deposit may be returned. Following this, it is also important to take note that pet deposits are not meant to cover normal wear and tear, such as faded paint, minor carpet wear and tear, and the like. To be specific, the pet deposit should only be used for damage that can be reasonably attributed to pet-related activities.

In cases where the cost of repair is more than the amount of the pet deposit, you may still be required to cover the remaining balance. At the same time, if there are deductions but they cost less than the deposit, then the unused portion must be returned to you. However, all of this depends on the pet policies indicated on your rental agreement and the applicable housing laws and regulations.

Pet Fees and Service and Emotional Support Animals

When we talk about pet rent vs pet deposit in rental properties, one of the key points that you need to understand is that service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) enjoy certain protections under the Fair Housing Act. But first, let’s determine what a service animal is and what an emotional support animal is.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, service animals are those that are individually trained to perform tasks and provide support to people with disabilities. On the other hand, emotional support animals are those that provide comfort, companionship, and other therapeutic benefits to a person, even without specialized training.

Now, recent developments in the HUD policy have changed how certain fair housing complaints involving assistance animals are enforced. Essentially, the updated policy rescinds HUD’s previous guidance on emotional support animals and places greater emphasis on individually trained assistance animals when enforcing certain fair housing complaints. While this update does not entirely change how fair housing regulations are implemented, it may make it harder for tenants with untrained assistance animals to pursue fair housing complaints with the HUD.

All in all, federal and state laws regarding emotional support animals continue to evolve. Tenants with qualifying assistance animals may have protections from pet-related charges in certain circumstances, but rights and obligations can depend on applicable fair housing regulations. In such cases, it is best to consult a qualified attorney to learn more about your specific situation and address any uncertainties.

What’s the Difference Between Pet Rent vs Pet Deposit?

So, what’s the difference between pet rent vs pet deposit? While both are meant to address pet-related wear and tear and other risks, there are practical distinctions between the two. Here’s a quick summary:

Pet Rent	Pet Deposit
Paid every month	Paid once before you officially move in
Non-refundable	May be fully or partially refunded, depending on the condition of the property and if there is no qualifying damage that requires repair
Helps offset ongoing rental property wear and tear	Covers repair costs for pet-related damage
Typically included with the monthly rent	Commonly held until repair is needed or until move-out and final inspection

FAQs

In order to better understand pet rent vs pet deposit and what these are for, let’s take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions regarding such pet fees:

Is it legal to charge pet rent and pet deposit?

Generally, it is legal for landlords to charge pet-related fees, such as a monthly pet rent and a one-time pet deposit, as long as these are clearly outlined in the lease agreement and applied consistently across all tenants. For assistance animals, landlords may not charge pet fees when legally applicable.

Why do places charge pet rent?

Generally, landlords charge pet rent in order to account for the higher operating costs often associated with allowing pets in their rental. Aside from this, charging pet rent also allows them to generate additional revenue and continue to offer pet-friendly housing.

What does a pet deposit cover?

Pet deposits are meant to cover pet-related damages that are beyond normal wear and tear. Some examples include deep scratches on hardwood floors, baseboards, doors, and the like, chewed cabinets and furniture, damaged window blinds and coverings, excessive pet odor, and yard damage.

How Bay Property Management Group Can Help

As a pet owner, finding a pet-friendly rental is a challenge in itself. However, that does not mean that you won’t pay attention to the different pet-related fees that come with it. Here, the first step is understanding the difference between pet rent vs pet deposit and knowing how these apply in your situation. Doing so is key to protecting your rights and avoiding unexpected costs.

Looking for a pet-friendly rental in Atlanta? We at Bay Property Management Group have an expansive portfolio of properties for rent in Atlanta and nearby areas. Check out our latest property listings today and find your perfect home!