As a pet owner, when it comes time to find a place to rent, you’ll want to come prepared with knowledge of how the entire process works. What does your pet fee cover? Do you have to pay a pet deposit? Here’s a guide to all things Pet Fees and pet rent that will help you find an amazing place for you and your furry friend.

What is a pet fee?

If you find a place where the landlord will allow you to have a pet, you will likely need to pay a separate cost for your furry friend. There are a few different types of payments landlords can ask for if you have a pet. The information about any and all fees should be written out in your lease agreement so you know what you’re getting yourself into before signing it.

Pet Deposits vs. Pet Fees vs. Pet Rent

The jargon can get a little tricky, so it’s important to know exactly what you (and your landlord) mean when you refer to fees associated with pets.

• Pet deposits: This type of fee is refundable. They’re similar to regular security deposits that you’ll pay with most lease agreements and will cover any wear and tear in your unit created by your pet.
• Pet fees: This type of fee is non-refundable. A pet fee is essentially the price of admission for having a pet in the unit. Generally, this won’t cover any damages. Your landlord might not know the terms well either, so if they charge you a pet deposit that’s non-refundable, it’s really just a pet fee.
• Pet rent: This type of fee is also non-refundable. It’s exactly what it sounds like. You’re paying rent each month for your pet to live in your place with you. Pet rent is an additional amount of money added on to your regular rent each month.

If you’re not sure how your landlord is structuring the payments, just ask! It’s better to be upfront with everything when you sign your lease than to be confused or stuck with costs you didn’t expect later on.

Are pet fees refundable?

It depends on the type of “fee” you mean. Usually, pet rent and a one-time pet fee are non-refundable.

On the other hand, like regular security deposits, pet deposits are typically refundable, at least in theory. However, if your pet damages the apartment or house you’re renting, you won’t get that money back. For instance, if you have a puppy that likes to use the carpet as a bathroom or a cat that thinks the floor or wall is a scratching post, you won’t get all of your deposit back, if you get anything back at all. The landlord will deduct the cost of repairs, such as replacing the carpeting to repainting the walls, from your pet fee. Some landlords will also keep some or all of your deposit as a cleaning fee.

Make sure you verify these details before you sign your lease and differentiate between non-refundable and refundable payments.

How much are pet fees at apartments?

Like most renters in the midst of apartment-hunting with furry friends, you’re probably asking yourself right about now what a reasonable pet fee or deposit would be. The answer can vary based on the type of fee charged — and you can even get a different answer depending on the landlord or management company.

Average Pet Deposits

PetFinder did a study that found average pet deposits came in anywhere between 40% and 85% of the monthly rent a pet owner paid. In other words, if you’re paying rent of $1,000 each month, you could expect to pay a pet deposit from $400 to $850 (40% and 85% of $1,000, respectively). Your total pet deposit would change if you pay monthly rent higher or lower than the $1,000 monthly rent example.

Short-Term Rental Costs for Pets

Instead of (or in addition to) a pet deposit, your landlord might charge you a fee. Another study found that landlords typically charged renters with pets a $120 cleaning fee and a $50 pet fee.

These types of fees help landlords cover the costs of professional cleaning companies, which might be non-negotiable if they let a pet in the unit. Professional cleaning companies can help get rid of stains and Animal hair to make sure a rented place is back to the way it was before and ready for a new renter to move in. Think of it from the perspective of the next renter: If you’re terribly allergic to cats and move into a place that hasn’t had a professional cleaning, that’s a recipe for disaster for everyone involved.

One-Time Pet Fees

While pet deposits are generally refundable, you might also need to pay a one-time pet fee that is non-refundable. Pet fees can range from around $200 to $500. These fees can vary based on the breed and size of your pet.

Legal Restrictions to Pet Fees

When you’re looking around for places to rent, remember that some otherwise pet-friendly buildings might put weight, size, or breed restrictions on the pets they do accept or charge more for a certain type. This is totally legal and something you should keep in mind. Some apartments might not allow pit bulls or dogs over a certain weight, for instance.

On the other hand, if you have a pet who’s a service animal or an emotional support animal, landlords have to follow different rules. More on that soon!

Are pet fees monthly?

You typically will pay a pet fee or a pet deposit once. However, some landlords may ask you to pay pet rent to allow your companion to move in with you. This practice is becoming more and more popular, especially in corporate-owned complexes.

If you’re moving into a unit that asks for pet rent, the amount will depend on the breed and size of your animal. For instance, you can expect to pay a pet fee of around $50 to $100 each month for a full-grown large dog or around $10 for a cat.

Are pet fees legal?

Though pet rent may sound strange, it is very much legal. This fee is considered a discretionary charge, which means landlords can legally include the extra charge in the lease.

That said, rental laws vary from state to state, so definitely do some research into the policies in the state you want to live. In California, for example, landlords can legally implement a no-pet policy. They can also charge additional rent as well as a pet deposit. But there’s a limit to how much a landlord can charge for a pet deposit in California, and that cap also depends on whether a unit comes furnished. And non-refundable pet deposits are illegal in California.

As you can see, the legality of all those fees can get tricky. You should look into renters’ pet agreement laws in your own state, making sure to find out what is legal and illegal and what can be charged at the discretion of a landlord.

Will I need to pay a pet fee for a service dog, cat, or any other ESA?

Both service animals and emotional support animals (or ESAs) are covered by regulations set out by the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Landlords must make “reasonable accommodation” for people with disabilities. This includes making accommodations for assistance animals.

Assistance animals aren’t classified the same way as regular pets since they work. They can perform physical tasks or offer emotional support to help improve symptoms of a disability. Because of this, no-pet policies and pet fees are usually waived for service animals.

Service animals and assistance animals: what’s the difference?

A service animal has formal training to provide a service to its owner. A seeing-eye dog is an example of a service animal, but that’s not the only possibility. Service animals can have the training to help hearing-impaired people navigate sounds, they can help their owners open doors, and much more.

An assistance animal, on the other hand, can alleviate loneliness, offer companionship, and even help with things like anxiety, depression, and phobias. Though these animals don’t have formal training, they provide emotional benefits to their owners. You need a letter from a licensed professional like a therapist or medical doctor to have your animal officially classified as an emotional support animal.

Both service animals and assistance animals are covered by FHA rules.

What can my landlord ask me about my service or emotional support animal?

Landlords cannot ask possible renters about any kind of disability, per the FHA. That said, they can ask you to give them written certification if you request reasonable accommodation for your support or service animal stating that you have a disability, that you need the animal to aid with the disability, and the ways the animal helps to improve your symptoms.

If your animal is then approved, you’ll have pet fees and rent waived. But there may still be some costs you need to cover. Your landlord can still charge a security deposit, which can be used for any type of damage in your unit. The landlord can seek compensation for damages your animal causes, as well. They also have the right to initiate legal proceedings if the animal becomes a nuisance or a danger to others in their housing.

Should I make my pet an ESA, even if it’s not one?

You may be tempted to get access to units that aren’t pet-friendly or get around paying pet fees by making your pet into an ESA. It’s incredibly easy to get a letter certifying your pet as an ESA online. And after all, your adorable, well-behaved pup won’t cause any problems, so it should get to live with you … right?

Not so fast. If you’re working the system just to get your pet allowed in a unit with you, you’re contributing to putting ESAs under increasingly intense scrutiny. That makes it much more difficult for people who really need an emotional support animal for medical reasons.

If you truly need a service or emotional support animal, you should absolutely request reasonable accommodation. That’s your right, and you have legal protections to do so. If, on the other hand, you just want your cute pet to live in that dream apartment that doesn’t accept pets, you should rethink your strategy. There are plenty of amazing places to live out there that will accept both you and your pet.

What should I do if I can’t find pet-friendly housing?

There are certain things you can do if you’re having a tough time finding a place that allows your pet to move in. You can strengthen your case if you can demonstrate to a potential landlord that you’re a responsible pet owner. Here are a few things you can try:

• Get obedience training for your pet: Bring written proof of training to your landlord. This is one way to show them that a dog is socialized and well-behaved, and as a result, much less likely to cause problems in your building.
• Offer a pet interview: Landlords often want to interview potential renters before deciding to move forward with a lease. They can do this with pet renters, too! A pet interview can help you demonstrate that your “roommate” isn’t going to be destructive or aggressive. Bring a pet resume with you so your landlord can get to know your pet on paper, too!
• Take out renters insurance: You can find renters insurance policies that will cover pet-related damages along with your liability coverage. This is something helpful to bring up when you’re talking about pet fees and deposits with a landlord.
• Try to offer a higher pet deposit upfront: If a landlord is balking at the prospect of having an animal in the unit, you can always try to offer a higher upfront deposit. It may not always work, but it doesn’t hurt to try if you have your heart set on a place and have the cash to do this.

Finding a pet-friendly place can feel challenging, but it’s worth it. Search thousands of pet-friendly apartments on Zumper and find the perfect home for you and your furry friend.

The post What to Know About Pet Fees appeared first on The Zumper Blog.