How much to charge for monthly pet rent?

General Landlording & Rental Properties
7yFollow

How much to charge for monthly pet rent?

Robin C.
Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2016 · 112 posts · 25 votes

How much would you charge for Pet Rent for 2 large dogs in Atlanta?  Is it better to charge a monthly rent or a non-refundable fee??

Thanks!

Robin

0Reply
176 views

Most Popular Reply

Greg M.
Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
7y

I know this isn't the most popular opinion, but I don't charge a pet fee. Around 60% of households have a pet, so odds are you're going to get applicants that have pets. I don't want to discourage good people from applying. I just factor the pet into the rental price for everyone. I also require a security deposit that reflects potential damage by a pet.

The system is so screwed up that if you ask for a pet fee, the pet suddenly becomes an Emotional Support Animal and for $25 some quack over the internet diagnosed your potential tenant and provided them a letter stating that it is a must they be allowed to have the pet(s). Now you're screwed on pet fees, raising the rent, or increasing the security deposit. Better to get ahead of the pet situation.

7Reply
See this reply in the discussion

47 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Steve DellaPelle
    Rental Property Investor · Salem, NH · Member since 2016 · 460 posts · 276 votes
    7y

    @Robin C. I can't speak for Atlanta, but here in the Boston area my company charges $30/month for Cats and $60/month for dogs. No pet deposit can be collected in MA. At my own personal properties I charge $25/pet.

    1Reply
  • Robin C.
    OP
    Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2016 · 112 posts · 25 votes
    7y

    @Steve DellaPelle , Ok, thank you that sounds reasonable.  

    1Reply
  • Thomas Hayworth
    Member since 2019 · 38 posts · 46 votes
    7y

    I usually stick at around $50/pet per month on my own properties.

    0Reply
  • Thomas S.
    Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    7y

    I would suggest $50/dog and hope they go away. Two large dogs are going to cause damage.

    0Reply
  • Shane H.
    Investor · Spokane Valley, WA · Member since 2014 · 175 posts · 94 votes
    7y

    I charge a $250 pet deposit and $25 "pet rent" per pet per month. If they have 2 pets then I'll do $400 and $40 and if it's more than that i usually find a more qualified applicant.

    0Reply
  • Dan K.
    Rental Property Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2012 · 257 posts · 139 votes
    7y

    Hi @Robin C.

    You probably want to check with your insurance company to make sure you can have pets. Generally there is a list of dog breeds that are black listed from insurance companies.

    You should also have a written pet policy with a maximum number of dogs and cats, other species of animals you will allow or ban, and max size of a fish tank. 

    0Reply
  • Andrew SyriosPro Member
    Moderator
    Residential Real Estate Investor · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2014 · 10k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    7y

    We usually charge a $250 nonrefundable pet deposit (regardless of how many pets), allow up to 3 pets but no more and charge $25/month for each pet (i.e. up to $75/month). We also don't allow dangerous breeds.

    Podcast Guest on Show #121
    0Reply
  • Marci Stein
    Rental Property Investor · New York, NY · Member since 2011 · 956 posts · 510 votes
    7y

    I charge additional security deposit 

    $250 per  pet . 

    Refundable if no damage . 

    Charging an additional monthly fee seems sill to me -   like charging for each member of the family . 

    2Reply
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    7y

    I don't charge pet rent. I just charge a non refundable pet fee of $250.

    0Reply
  • Sam Shueh
    Real Estate Agent · Cupertino, CA · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    $70 for 2 dogs EMD.

    0Reply
  • Charles Kao
    Specialist · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 611 votes
    7y

    @Robin Cornacchio

    I have just started doing this but I look at the cost of carpet replacement of the home and divide that by 12 and thats how I get to what I charge for additional monthly pet rent because often times I have to replace all the carpet because of the pet. If it's super high then it deters renters without pets which is fine with me.

    1Reply
  • Greg M.
    Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    7y

    I know this isn't the most popular opinion, but I don't charge a pet fee. Around 60% of households have a pet, so odds are you're going to get applicants that have pets. I don't want to discourage good people from applying. I just factor the pet into the rental price for everyone. I also require a security deposit that reflects potential damage by a pet.

    The system is so screwed up that if you ask for a pet fee, the pet suddenly becomes an Emotional Support Animal and for $25 some quack over the internet diagnosed your potential tenant and provided them a letter stating that it is a must they be allowed to have the pet(s). Now you're screwed on pet fees, raising the rent, or increasing the security deposit. Better to get ahead of the pet situation.

    7Reply
  • Karen Kerry
    Property Manager · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2015 · 17 posts · 6 votes
    7y

    @Robin Cornacchio in San Antonio for a pet 30 pounds and below the deposit is $300 anything over 30 pounds the deposit is $400 half of it is refundable depending on the condition of the house. Any additional pet is a non refundable charge of $125

    Pet rent is $30 per pet.

    1Reply
  • Michael T.
    Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 326 posts · 279 votes
    7y

    @Robin C. if there is strong demand for your rental and it's a nicer A or B neighborhood than absolutely charge a premium for both the non-refundable and monthly fee.

    There is typically very strong demand for rentals that allow pets anyways so you should always charge both.

    0Reply
  • Kenneth GarrettPro Member
    Investor · Florida Panhandle/Illinois · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    @Robin C.

    I charge a $250 pet fee plus $35 per pet per month.  Most tenants have pets so if you prohibit them you are losing a great deal of the market.  I understand the potential of damage but I think it’s worth it.

    0Reply
  • Sean Blacker
    Rental Property Investor · Boise, ID · Member since 2015 · 7 posts · 6 votes
    7y

    Does anyone else do what @Greg M.does and not charge a pet fee?  I just had a tenant last week tell me he was getting a service dog after being in the house for about 6 months.  

    0Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    7y

    $50 a month for a dog under 50 pounds and $75 a month for a dog over 50 pounds.

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7247 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Kevin PolitePro Member
    Investor · Decatur Atlanta, GA · Member since 2011 · 611 posts · 232 votes
    7y

    @Robin C.  I charge a $300/pet non refundable pet "fee" I wouldn't call it a deposit as to not have problems later and be very specific. I personally like dog owners and haven't had any problems, but all of my homes have hardwoods or laminate so usually not a problem. Dog owners know most landlords don't allow pets and the one's I've had go above and beyond to make sure there are no damages and make good tenants. I make them sign a GAR pet exhibit and list the pet's name, breed, size & that's the pet had it's shots/license. 

    1Reply
  • Robin C.
    OP
    Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2016 · 112 posts · 25 votes
    7y

    @Kevin Polite , would you mind sharing your GAR pet exhibit??

    Thank you!

    0Reply
  • Kevin PolitePro Member
    Investor · Decatur Atlanta, GA · Member since 2011 · 611 posts · 232 votes
    7y

    @Robin C. pm me your email address and I can forward it to you to review.   You can't use though because it can only be used by an agents. 

    0Reply
  • Tim Schultz
    Real Estate Agent · Mankato, MN · Member since 2015 · 3 posts · 5 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Sean Blacker:

    Does anyone else do what @Greg M.does and not charge a pet fee?  I just had a tenant last week tell me he was getting a service dog after being in the house for about 6 months.  

     In Minnesota (and I believe every state), service animals are exempt from any pet fees and rules. Basically we have to pretend the animal doesn't exist. We have to allow them in buildings that don't allow pets, because technically they aren't "pets".

    0Reply
  • Mike Nelson
    Investor · Oak Park, IL · Member since 2014 · 316 posts · 150 votes
    7y

    My personal bias is I don't allow dogs.  If I did, I would charge $1000 per month per dog.  I have two bad experiences.  The first was when a tenant's pit bull attacked me.  I was very fortunate, escaping with just minor injuries, a few stitches to my Achilles area of my ankle.  The bottoms of my jeans legs were shredded, so it could have been a lot worse.

    Another incident, the Labradoodle my wife made us get started a small fire on our stove.  She started some chicken on fire which I (stupidly) left on top of the stove.  She turned the burner knob in an effort to reach the chicken.   The fire was fortunately confined to the chicken, but it was burnt solid black.  This occurred when I had to take my son to the hospital, didn't take a moment to check the stove, and returned to home to a smell of smoke.

    0Reply
  • Stephen Jeffers
    Real Estate Agent · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2018 · 41 posts · 23 votes
    7y

    @Robin Cornacchio

    $200 non refundable per deposit, $25 per pet per month up to two pets.

    0Reply
  • Matt P.
    Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2015 · 625 posts · 601 votes
    7y

    @Mike Nelson That's scary about the pit. In Ohio you'd be allowed to shoot that thing for attacking you. One reason I carry when I'm out landlording lol.

    0Reply
  • Ron Gallagher
    Investor · Washington, DC · Member since 2017 · 198 posts · 323 votes
    7y

    I charge $50 a month per pet and a $500 refundable pet deposit.

    0Reply
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.
Log InJoin for Free