How much to charge tenant for pet deposit fee?

Rental Property Investor · Philadelphia · Member since 2018 · 24 posts · 9 votes

One of my tenants just brought it to my attention that she in the process of adopting a dog( German Shepard). Right now the dog is a puppy no more than 10lbs but will grow up to 40Lbs. How much are pet security deposits? and is there a monthly on going fee? If so how much is that typically a month?

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Rental Property Investor · Central, FL · Member since 2016 · 950 posts · 821 votes

Originally posted by @Mahauijue Mack:

My answer is that a German shepherd will weigh 60-70 lbs when fully grown. Not 40.

I charge an amount that makes them not have a dog.

Typically 200 non refundable fee and 25 a month per animal.

But I have bread restrictions and a German shepherd is a no go for me.

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Randy E.
Rental Property Investor · Durham, NC · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
Originally posted by @Zachary Bellinghausen:
Mahauijue,

I would be hesitant on allowing a German Shepherd in your units. They are not the best indoor dogs and I can testify that they can be very destructive. My brothers German Shepherd chewed a hole through the bathroom door and tore up a couch. If you do decide to allow the animal I would not specify the extra amount as a "pet deposit". Say you do a $200 pet "deposit" and the dog does $500 worth of damage you would be out the $300. I would instead charge more (unspecified) for the deposit and have a non-refundable fee of a set amount for the privilege of having a pet on the premises. I would still not allow a dog, especially a German Shepherd.
@Mahauijue
I have to agree with Zachary that German Shepherds are not the best indoor dogs. I have a 16-month old German Shepherd and he wants to be outside as much as possible. Fortunately, I am able to allow him outdoor time several times a day -- also, I fenced in a short hallway to restrict his movements when no human is home with him. However, most people work regular workdays, which means your tenant's dog would likely be home alone for a 10-hour stretch. I can't imagine the damage my Shepherd would do if left alone for 10 hours every day. While my Shepherd was a puppy, within his fenced-in hallway he chewed most of the baseboard and quarter round, scratched the walls, chewed the door to the laundry room, jumped up and pulled down pictures from the wall that my children had drawn/painted, and pulled a mirror off the wall ... and more. I imagine that's what's going to happen to most homes that have a Shepherd puppy inside. it's possible the tenant would keep the puppy in a cage inside, but most people don't get the large cages necessary to keep 100-pound dogs. Oh yeah, did I mention my Shepherd is now 100 pounds? Don't believe your tenant if he says the puppy is going to top out at 40 pounds.

Also, dogs in the puppy stage are often more destructive than adult dogs. That is when they have the uncontrollable urge to chew chew chew everything in sight. Dogs don't outgrow the mental puppy stage until about 18 months old. I'd much rather have a tenant bring in an already adult dog than a puppy.

Personally, I charge a $200 pet fee (not a deposit, but a nonrefundable fee) AND an additional $25/month pet rent. Unless we're talking about a 5-pound 4 year old adult dog, I'd never (any longer) consider lessening or waiving either the pet fee or the pet rent.
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Matthew DrouinPro Member
Developer · Rochester, NY · Member since 2016 · 406 posts · 339 votes
7y
@Mahauijue Mack
@Scott Mac has the first right thoughts. Check your insurance! You don’t want to get dropped by your insurance company and then have to go back to the insurance company pool as a high risk. Insurance companies will do this if you get dropped. They are in the business of avoiding claims!
In regard to what I have done is:
No breeds over 40 lbs. (if you get push back on this, I would explain that you and your Maintenance personnel need to feed safe entering an apartment at any time during a potential emergency. Having a large dog to contend with does not universally ensure this.
$250 non refundable pet fee (don’t call it a deposit... repeat do not call it a deposit.)
Some landlords I am friends with also charge an additional refundable deposit in addition to non refundable fee.
$35 to $50 a month pet fee per pet (if you allow multiple). People will do anything for their pets (I know I would). So you may be able to push this even more.
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Curtis Mears
Property Manager · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 729 posts · 596 votes
7y
@Mahauijue Mack
do you allow pets? a puppy will pee and chew everything. I do allow pets and charge a 1 time $450 per pet non refundable fee. it is a fee. not a deposit. you may also consider upping the current deposit.
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Jason A.
Rental Property Investor · North Huntingdon, PA · Member since 2011 · 64 posts · 20 votes
7y
@Mahauijue Mack I would advise against such a large dog. I limit my pets to 25lbs, and if I’m met with resistance I blame it on my insurance company. For those who qualify I charge a $100-$200 pet deposit and $25 per month.
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Mindy JensenPro Member
BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
7y
@Mahauijue Mack , make sure you're using the correct terminology. A deposit is refundable, a fee is not. Choose your words carefully in the lease amendment.
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Marco Villa
Bakersfield, CA · Member since 2018 · 11 posts · 4 votes
7y
I have to agree with @Eric C., that dog will most likely weigh much more than 40 pounds when fully grown. Seems like they may be sugar coating the circumstances to get an easier yes out of you. My German Shepherd weighed 76 pounds at 10 months on a normal dog food diet.
I would consider adding weight restrictions if dog size is a concern to you.
Any deposits or fees within the law seem like a good way to minimize your out of pocket expenses in the future. Good luck!
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