All Forum Posts by: Stan Mend

Thanks Shannon and Jeff,

i posted this question as a owner.   I signed the agreement without explanation of how the word "administrative" before "pet fees" work.  I was told one thing but obviously it meant something else.  It sounds more like "Pet Rent" when you collect it from the tenant on monthly basis in addition to the one time non refundable "Administrative" pet fee.  These are charges that stay with the PM for a limit of up to 3 pets.    Ultimately the pet damage could be greater than the Guarantee, and the guarantee doesn't really mitigate the risk since the Security deposit would first be utilized first before tapping into the guarantee.   It doesn't sound fair to me, since I never heard of such peculiar fees.  

I have a general question about Management Agreement :-

Can Property Management Company legally charge tenant MONTHLY administrative Fees for Pets.   There is a one-time non refundable deposit (administrative fee) per pet that goes to the Property Management company and then a MONTHLY administrative fee charged per pet for a MAX OF 3 PETS.   This ADMINISTRATIVE FEE goes directly to the Property Managers.  Owner/landlord doesn't get a distribution, but a clause in the management agreement states "Broker provides a $750 Pet Damage Guarantee to Owner and collects Pet Administrative Fees from tenants in order to cover the cost of this guarantee." with a condition that Owner should use PM's contractor for rent ready repairs. 

Is this valid/legal given that landlord is ultimately responsible for all repairs/fixes to the property.  Please let me know your thoughts on this.