Property management & leasing
Pet Rent: Definition & Example
What Is Pet Rent?
Pet rent is a recurring monthly charge added to a tenant’s rent for keeping a pet in the unit, separate from any one-time pet fee or pet deposit.
What does pet rent mean?
Landlords charge pet rent to offset the extra wear that pets cause over time, such as scratched floors and carpet cleaning. It commonly ranges from $15 to $75 per pet per month.
Pet rent is different from a pet deposit, which is refundable and held against damage, and a pet fee, which is a one-time non-refundable charge. Some states restrict pet deposits or count them toward the security deposit cap.
Assistance animals, including service animals and emotional support animals, are not pets under fair housing rules. Landlords generally cannot charge pet rent, pet fees, or pet deposits for them, though tenants remain responsible for damage.
Pet rent example
A tenant with one dog signs a lease at $1,600 per month plus $40 pet rent. Their monthly payment is $1,640. They also paid a $300 refundable pet deposit at move-in.
Related terms
- Security DepositA security deposit is money a tenant pays a landlord at the start of a lease, held to cover unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear when the tenant moves out.
- Lease AgreementA lease agreement is a contract between a landlord and tenant that sets the rent, the term, and the rules each side must follow while the tenant occupies the property.
- Fair Housing ActThe Fair Housing Act is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in renting, selling, and financing housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.
- Rental LedgerA rental ledger is a running record of every charge and payment on a tenant’s account, including rent, fees, credits, and the resulting balance.
Pet rent FAQ
- Can landlords charge pet rent for an emotional support animal?
- Generally no. Under federal fair housing rules, assistance animals are not pets, so pet rent and pet fees usually cannot be charged for them.
