Pet Hamster--should I waive/reduce pet fees?

[Yvonne H.]

I normally charge a non-refundable pet fee and pet rent for each pet. These are not junk fees, because there are higher costs incurred when a tenant with pets moves out. For instance, hardwood floors are more easily damaged, and there is hair in the hinter corners of the residence; in the summer, flea treatment is required. I have a tenant who has a cat and a hamster and is asking me to waive the fees/rent for the hamster.

Does anyone have concrete experience on tenants having hamsters and advice about the waiving the costs for the hamster?

TIA

[Bill B.]

I would change your official pet policy to “pets that don’t reside 100% of the time in an enclosure that includes a base/floor.” That way you aren’t making an illegal exception to your rules that could get you in trouble in the future.