Sacramento, CA pet rent max? (Lease created wit Zillow caps $30)

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Sacramento, CA pet rent max? (Lease created wit Zillow caps $30)

Pranitha Shandi
Homeowner · Member since 2020 · 30 posts · 2 votes

Is there a maximum monthly pet rent that I can charge in Sacramento, CA.  I want to charge $40 monthly.

I am using Zillow for the first time to create a Lease for a property in Sacramento, CA.

While I like that Zillow pulls a lot of state/county specific laws, I notice that Zillow caps the monthly Pet Rent (pet fee) at $30 maximum.  Has anyone experienced this?

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Kyle J.
Rental Property Investor · Northern, CA · Member since 2012 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
5y

I don't allow pets so I don't charge a pet rent and have never tried inputting that on Zillow.  However, even Zillow's own site doesn't mention any restrictions on that (see here) and there's no law against it.  There's also other rentals listed on Zillow in the City of Sacramento area with pet rents greater than $30 (I just scanned the listings and pulled up multiple requiring $50 pet rent).

If nothing else, list it in the description.  You can write whatever you want there.

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  • Kyle J.
    Rental Property Investor · Northern, CA · Member since 2012 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    5y

    I don't allow pets so I don't charge a pet rent and have never tried inputting that on Zillow.  However, even Zillow's own site doesn't mention any restrictions on that (see here) and there's no law against it.  There's also other rentals listed on Zillow in the City of Sacramento area with pet rents greater than $30 (I just scanned the listings and pulled up multiple requiring $50 pet rent).

    If nothing else, list it in the description.  You can write whatever you want there.

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  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    5y

    Sacramento limits deposits but I don't believe they limit what you can charge for a rent increase. In my small town, we charge $50 - $100 per month per pet. People have no problem paying that. Your average rent is about double what mine is, so I imagine you will have no problem charging $50 or more.

    Think about it. If you charge $50 a month, it's only an extra $600 a year. That's not even enough to replace carpet in one bedroom. Don't be ridiculous with your increase, but make sure it's a large enough increase to mitigate the risk.

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  • Kelsey Bailey
    Property Manager · Bay Area-Greater Sacramento · Member since 2021 · 94 posts · 51 votes
    5y

    @Susmitha Pranitha the pet rent is definitely not limited to $30.00 per month. We at our company require an additional security deposit amount per pet as well as $50.00 per month, per pet in pet rent.

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  • Dave Peterson
    Investor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2016 · 96 posts · 41 votes
    5y

    I don't think CA has any specifics on pet rent and pet deposits.  There are limits on rent increases and deposit amounts.  So you can call them whatever you want, but you need to meet those requirements.

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  • Pat L.
    Rental Property Investor · Upstate, NY · Member since 2012 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    5y

    We charge the non-refundable deposit of $325 & then $35/pet/month. We love our middle aged lady tenants with 2-3 cats. 

    But as @Nathan Gesner mentioned it's never enough if there is any damage. We had one woman cut a cat door in the bottom of a bedroom door & the $300 we charged her security deposit for a new door & install didn't phase her at all. 

    Another paid a carpenter to design & install really impressive larger window sills on all living room windows so the cat could lay in the sun without falling off.

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  • Brian Fitzgerald
    Property Manager · California Washington North Carolina South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama · Member since 2020 · 71 posts · 27 votes
    5y

    Hello Susmitha, 

    You are can charge the $40 if you wish, I would encourage you to charge this per pet as we do at the rate of $50 so you are in line with the market. Also regarding the lease agreement you might be better off contact a local real estate attorney and purchasing a copy of their drafted real estate agreement. This should allow you more leverage of enforcement as well as should be compliant with State and Local laws. 

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  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Pat L.:

    We charge the non-refundable deposit of $325 & then $35/pet/month. We love our middle aged lady tenants with 2-3 cats. 

    But as @Nathan Gesner mentioned it's never enough if there is any damage. We had one woman cut a cat door in the bottom of a bedroom door & the $300 we charged her security deposit for a new door & install didn't phase her at all. 

    Another paid a carpenter to design & install really impressive larger window sills on all living room windows so the cat could lay in the sun without falling off.

    $35 a month - or even $50 a month - may not be enough to cover major damage, but it covers most, especially when paired with a security deposit. With 400 rentals and over 50% of them pet-friendly, I rarely have an animal cause so much damage that the deposit doesn't cover it. That means the pet rent is pure profit, except in very rare circumstances.

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