The concept of pet rent is gaining popularity among landlords because deposits often prove insufficient in covering damage caused by animals. Unfortunately, this can lead to a decrease in adoptions as many can't afford it. In my area, it's higher than $40.

They charge it - because people will pay. When I was renting, didn't even ask if they would allow a pet - until after I saw the place, they met me and knew they wanted me as a tenant. Then I would ask - even offering to double the security depost (4 months rent). Interestingly, none made me pay that. It worked 4 different times, when I was renting from individual owners in small buildings. The large complexes, in my experience, just want to see how many fees they can add on to your rent.

Agree with nanny, negotiate with owner - not a management company.

I work for a management company and if a pet does damage in most cases the pet fee doesn't even begin to cover the cost.

Extreme example - a tenant was "rescuing" cats in her apartment. Nobody knew until the urine smell permeated the common hallway. It took a while to evict her as the laws here are favoring the tenant. This apartment needs all new flooring, the drywall cut out 2 feet up all around and all the wood trim treated.

We see way too many irresponsible pet owners to not charge a fee.

I pay a one time fee of $100.00 per animal at signing of lease, I think $40.00 a month is a little extreme.. We do have a yearly inspection, which I have no problem with that.

Glaserberl, you have a valid point, however I've seen pets that are better behaved than their owner. The damage caused by a careless human tenant would not be covered by the security deposit either.

glaserberl, I can certainly understand a fee being charged although I still believe $480 annually is exorbitant. Your extreme example is extreme and certainly highly unusual. Most animal lovers I know are not hoarders as was your example, and hope your management not only cleaned the area but reported the tenant as hoarding is illegal. Would it be possible for management to charge an initial fee which might be refunded when the user proves cleanliness and caution with their pet? Just a thought.

Our company charges $25 a month and a $300 refundable deposit. Even if the tenant only has one or two pets there is almost always damage. Torn screens, scratched trim, damaged carpet.

I'm not sure if it has something to do with the fact that we manage affordable housing apartment but tenants are certainly not responsible pet owners. Even though our pet policy states that cats and dogs must be treated with a flea preventative hardly anybody does. Next week we will be treating an entire 24 unit apartment building for fleas.

We have four cats ourselves and had a dog for nearly 15 years and I love animals. I'd rather skimp on stuff for myself than on something they need but I also see the landlord side.

I do too, but that does not seem to be the norm. At least among the many pet-owning apartment dwellers that I've known.

glaserberl: I, too, can see landlord's side in the situation you describe! Maybe I'm different, but I like to treat my apartment as if it belongs to me - after all, we live here. It's difficult for me to understand the slobs (pardon expression) you describe as any pets we've ever had have been treated as members of the family, and that includes cleanliness, manners and the whole ball of wax.

Pink_warm_mama: I agree with you, that is the way it should be and how I would treat an apartment if I were to live in one. Unfortunately the majority of our tenants seem to not care.

I think we paid a $500 pet deposit when we rented, and that was fairly standard… in fact it was a bit of a deal (but be warned, rarely do you ever get any of that back at the end… ). I have to agree with the management person… pets can, and often do a LOT of costly damage to homes, particularly if starting to urinate outside the litter box or on the carpet… that can really damage an apartment badly. There are plenty of very clean and quiet pets out there, but there are often 'accidents' and unexpected circumstances that have to paid for eventually one way or the other.

Sadly, this has an adverse effect on adoptions. Rescue organizations have a hard time recruiting potential foster parents because they can't afford the extra fees.

Glaserberl, I'm just curious. Are service animals exempt from these fees?

Nannygoat - Yes, "service" animals are exempt from fees but sadly they do just as much damage. I put service in animal in quotations because there are very few true service animals. People go to the doctor and most of them will write a letter stating that the patient needs a dog or cat for their mental well-being.

In some cases that is true but in others it is a way to get around the around the rules and fees. We allow pets at our senior (55 and older) properties but not at most family properties.

Interesting. Service animals and emotional support (therapy, comfort etc) animals are defined very differently under the ADA. Support animals (such as you described) are not covered by federal laws protecting the use of service animals. It appears that both are exempted from fees by your company.