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Updated over 1 year ago, 07/31/2023

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88
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Catherine Javier
  • Investor
17
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88
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How much pet fee per pet?

Catherine Javier
  • Investor
Posted

Hi everyone!

An interested tenant wants to lease our furnished home. 3 dogs and 4th is an ESA. Based on experience, we usually have 1 dog/family or tenant. 

How much is a reasonable non refundable pet fee? Usually we charge $150/month Based on comps. 
and it should be per pet, i am assuming. (For a midterm stay)

I am not sure if this matters, they’re Mutts and American bully.

and just in case they want to do a long term route, how much is the reasonable charge?


thanks everyone!

User Stats

585
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420
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Brett Deas
  • Colorado
420
Votes |
585
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Brett Deas
  • Colorado
Replied

The way I run my pet fee is as follows:

Refundable pet deposit of 200$ and a monthly pet rent of about $25-$50 depending on the pet. The reason my deposit is refundable is it incentivizes the tenant to take care of the place, because once your deposit is non-refundable the tenant doesn't have an incentive to keep it nice regarding the animal. And the monthly rent offsets the cost for the extra cleaning. 

I feel like 150 per pet can be really pricey if the have 3 pets, and do you really need that much? 

User Stats

88
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17
Votes
Catherine Javier
  • Investor
17
Votes |
88
Posts
Catherine Javier
  • Investor
Replied
thank you @Brett Deas! We just didn’t have experience about this. We usually have 1 pet/ tenant.


Quote from @Brett Deas:

The way I run my pet fee is as follows:

Refundable pet deposit of 200$ and a monthly pet rent of about $25-$50 depending on the pet. The reason my deposit is refundable is it incentivizes the tenant to take care of the place, because once your deposit is non-refundable the tenant doesn't have an incentive to keep it nice regarding the animal. And the monthly rent offsets the cost for the extra cleaning. 

I feel like 150 per pet can be really pricey if the have 3 pets, and do you really need that much? 

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1,263
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934
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Conner Olsen
Pro Member
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Austin, TX
934
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1,263
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Conner Olsen
Pro Member
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Austin, TX
Replied
Quote from @Brett Deas:

The way I run my pet fee is as follows:

Refundable pet deposit of 200$ and a monthly pet rent of about $25-$50 depending on the pet. The reason my deposit is refundable is it incentivizes the tenant to take care of the place, because once your deposit is non-refundable the tenant doesn't have an incentive to keep it nice regarding the animal. And the monthly rent offsets the cost for the extra cleaning. 

I feel like 150 per pet can be really pricey if the have 3 pets, and do you really need that much? 

 @Catherine Javier I would tweak Brett's advice and ask for a $500 deposit. 4 dogs can wreck some furniture.

  • Conner Olsen
  • [email protected]
  • 702-521-0034
  • User Stats

    1
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    0
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    Kevin Walton
    • Property Manager
    • Pittsburgh PA
    0
    Votes |
    1
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    Kevin Walton
    • Property Manager
    • Pittsburgh PA
    Replied
    Quote from @Brett Deas:

    The way I run my pet fee is as follows:

    Refundable pet deposit of 200$ and a monthly pet rent of about $25-$50 depending on the pet. The reason my deposit is refundable is it incentivizes the tenant to take care of the place, because once your deposit is non-refundable the tenant doesn't have an incentive to keep it nice regarding the animal. And the monthly rent offsets the cost for the extra cleaning. 

    I feel like 150 per pet can be really pricey if the have 3 pets, and do you really need that much? 


     I really like this idea! It gives both security to the owner and the tenant! Thanks for sharing Brett!

    User Stats

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    Jonathan R McLaughlin
    Pro Member
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Boston, Massachusetts (MA)
    2,244
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    2,367
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    Jonathan R McLaughlin
    Pro Member
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Boston, Massachusetts (MA)
    Replied

    4 dogs in a furnished home? I would look for a better tenant. you will certainly be looking for new furniture...

  • Jonathan R McLaughlin
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    Tim Miller
    Pro Member
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Laurel, MD
    376
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    Tim Miller
    Pro Member
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Laurel, MD
    Replied

    We have a 2 pet max rule, not 2 dogs and 2 cats, 2 pets period! We charge $300 per pet nonrefundable fee and $50 per pet a month rent. We would reject this applicant and you have a furnished home, reject them. I wouldn't roll the dice on this one.

    User Stats

    88
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    17
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    Catherine Javier
    • Investor
    17
    Votes |
    88
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    Catherine Javier
    • Investor
    Replied
    thanks for your thoughts guys!


    Quote from @Kevin Walton:
    Quote from @Brett Deas:

    The way I run my pet fee is as follows:

    Refundable pet deposit of 200$ and a monthly pet rent of about $25-$50 depending on the pet. The reason my deposit is refundable is it incentivizes the tenant to take care of the place, because once your deposit is non-refundable the tenant doesn't have an incentive to keep it nice regarding the animal. And the monthly rent offsets the cost for the extra cleaning. 

    I feel like 150 per pet can be really pricey if the have 3 pets, and do you really need that much? 


     I really like this idea! It gives both security to the owner and the tenant! Thanks for sharing Brett!


    User Stats

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    Alecia Loveless
    Pro Member
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    Alecia Loveless
    Pro Member
    Replied

    @Catherine Javier I just wouldn’t rent to that many dogs. My limit is 2 pets.

  • Alecia Loveless
  • User Stats

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    17
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    Catherine Javier
    • Investor
    17
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    88
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    Catherine Javier
    • Investor
    Replied

    Thank you @alecia! We just turned down the tenant… 

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    John Morgan
    Pro Member
    #3 Buying & Selling Real Estate Contributor
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Grand Prairie, TX
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    John Morgan
    Pro Member
    #3 Buying & Selling Real Estate Contributor
    • Rental Property Investor
    • Grand Prairie, TX
    Replied

    I make all mine pet friendly and don’t charge for pet fees or pet deposit. I just ask market rate and keep it high. It’s less of a headache and so far I’ve never had an issue.

  • John Morgan
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    Julien Jeannot
    • CPA, Real Estate Broker & Investor
    • Seattle & Woodinville, WA
    1,040
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    757
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    Julien Jeannot
    • CPA, Real Estate Broker & Investor
    • Seattle & Woodinville, WA
    Replied

    I limit the # of pets and depending on the property & insurance, the bread and size.

    $250 non refundable, $50/mo per pet.

    Keep in mind those ADA laws.

    User Stats

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    Bill J Fay
    Pro Member
    • Lender
    • San Diego
    209
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    Bill J Fay
    Pro Member
    • Lender
    • San Diego
    Replied

    All great recommendations above. One other thing to consider, pay attention to state/local laws regarding pet fee and deposits. In Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis signed House Bill 23-1068 into law in June. This limits pet security deposits to $300, and they must be refundable. Also limits any pet fee to $35 or 1.5% of the rent, whichever is higher. Your state may vary, but I see other states following this trend.

  • Bill J Fay
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