Pet rent in New Jersey

[Andy S.]

I understand in NJ, landlord is not collect to charge pet security deposit. Moreover tenant security deposit cannot be more than 1.5 times the rent.

1. How do fellow landlords handle this situation? Charge $35/month per pet? Is $35 too little or a lot to ask for?

2. Show the $35/month as rent and not pet rent? ie just increase rent? (I understand upon learning the per is an ESA or Service Animal, one cannot charge pet rent....but these are still animals and can cause damage to the property. How does landlord protect his interest in such a scenario?

3.If a tenant with pet moves in and wishes to convert the pet to ESA or SA, is landlord allowed to deny the request? If I must increase the rent by say $35/month, do I increase the same? What reason I can give without getting in trouble with the law?

Any words of wisdom from fellow investors would be highly appreciated.