Setting up a new rental home comes with a lot of upfront costs. Beyond setting up utilities, there are fees associated with renting a home. These include security deposits, the first month of rent, and, if you have a pet, pet fees. While pet-related costs can add to the expense of moving, landlords use these fees to help cover potential wear and tear and damage caused by pets.
Read on to learn about fees associated with pet-friendly rentals, what they are, why they matter, and whether they’re legal.
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What’s the Difference Between a Pet Fee, a Pet Deposit, and Pet Rent?
Quick definitions:
- Pet Fee: One-time fee designed to cover potential wear and tear to pet-friendly rentals caused by the pet. It’s not refundable where permitted by law.
- Pet Deposit: A refundable, one-time fee that covers damage caused by the pet, subject to applicable state and local laws.
- Pet Rent: Monthly fee to cover the costs associated with allowing a pet in the rental.
Now, let’s break each one down a little further.
Pet Fee
The pet fee is a one-and-done approach to pet-associated costs in rental properties. It's a non-refundable fee meant to cover the wear and tear that a tenant’s pet may cause to the property. Pet fees often range between $100 and $500, although amounts vary by property, location, and pet policy.
A pet fee can be a convenient option for both parties since the renter pays it upfront, and there’s no pet deposit to reconcile at the end of the lease.
However, there are a couple of potential drawbacks for both parties.
- For landlords or property managers, since a pet fee is a one-time payment upon move-in rather than an evaluation at the end of the lease, there’s a chance that it won't cover any damage caused by the pet.
- A non-refundable pet fee can be frustrating for tenants, especially for those with well-behaved pets who don't cause problems.
Keep in mind that a nonrefundable pet fee doesn't necessarily cover the cost of significant pet damage. Depending on the lease and applicable laws, tenants may still be responsible for repairs beyond normal wear and tear.
Pet Deposits
The pet deposit is most closely related to the security deposit. It’s a one-time payment that covers damage to the property caused by the pet and is refundable if there's no pet damage. Pet deposits range between $200-$500 on average.
- The pet deposit offers landlords and property managers the security that they’ll have funds available to repair potential damage caused by the pet. And since it’s refundable, it encourages tenants to prevent pet-related damage.
- Tenants can get their money back. Knowing that the deposit is refundable, minus any lawful deductions for pet damage, can offer peace of mind.
As with a regular security deposit, landlords generally can't deduct costs for ordinary wear and tear. Renters should document the property's condition at move-in and move-out to help avoid disputes over pet-related damage.
Pet Rent
Think about pet rent the same way you think about rent for the tenant. Each month, the tenant owes the landlord a set amount to allow their pet to live in the rental with them. This cost helps the landlord cover wear and tear and other potential pet-related expenses. Many landlords charge between $25 and $100 per animal per month for pet rent.
Pet rent spreads the cost of having a pet across monthly payments rather than requiring one larger upfront payment. However, there are a couple of potential drawbacks:
- While pet rent can ensure a steady flow of funds to offset pet-related expenses, it may not provide enough to cover more significant damage.
- While tenants may like that it’s a smaller amount upfront, the monthly commitment can add up over time, potentially costing more than a one-time pet fee. For instance, a rental that requires an extra $50 in pet rent each month adds $600 to the cost of a 12-month lease.
Depending on the rental property's pet policy, renters may be required to pay monthly pet rent in addition to a fee or deposit.
Are Pet Fees, Pet Deposits, and Pet Rent Legal?
Pet fees, pet deposits, and monthly pet rent are legal in many locations, but state and local laws may limit or prohibit certain charges. Some states regulate the total amount landlords can collect as a security deposit, including deposits specifically designated for pets.
"Landlords who choose to allow pets in their rental properties often require tenants to pay a separate deposit specifically intended to cover any physical damage caused by the animal. In some places, this practice is perfectly legal and a standard part of the leasing process; in others, statutory caps or strict regulations make it impermissible." –NOLO
If you have a pet and are looking for a rental property, you’ll likely face a pet fee, pet deposit, or pet rent. And in some cases, more than one. A landlord or property manager might require a pet deposit in conjunction with a nonrefundable fee.
Before signing a lease, review the pet policy and applicable state and local laws to understand which charges are allowed, which are refundable, and what happens if your pet causes damage.
Are you looking for military rentals? Peruse our constantly updated inventory of homes near military bases on MilitaryByOwner.
What's the Best Way for Military Families to Search for Pet-Friendly Rentals?
For military families preparing for a PCS move, finding a rental home that welcomes pets can take some extra planning. One of the best ways to search for rental homes is to narrow your results to properties that allow pets before scheduling showings or submitting applications.
On MilitaryByOwner, search for military rentals near your new duty station, then select "Refine Search" and use the Pet Policy filter to choose "Pets Allowed" or "Upon Approval." You can also search without the filter, since some landlords may be willing to consider pets even if their listing doesn't specifically advertise a pet-friendly policy.
Before applying, contact the landlord or property manager to confirm whether your pet is allowed and ask about any additional fees or restrictions.
Learn more: 4 Tips for Finding a Pet-Friendly Rental
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Is It Legal to Charge Pet Rent for a Service Animal?
Under the Fair Housing Act, individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations to a rental property's pet restrictions, including a no-pets policy. Landlords generally cannot charge pet fees, pet deposits, or monthly pet rent for qualifying assistance animals.
However, the rules and enforcement guidance concerning emotional support animals (ESAs) have recently changed.
In May 2026, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) changed its enforcement guidance regarding assistance animals. Under the new guidance, HUD focuses on complaints involving trained service animals rather than emotional support animals (ESAs), which aren't required to have specialized training. However, this guidance doesn't eliminate all potential protections for ESAs under federal, state, or local fair housing laws.
Even when pet fees are waived for a qualifying assistance animal, tenants may still be responsible for damage the animal causes to the rental property.
Renters with questions about assistance-animal accommodations should review HUD's information on assistance animals and consult their state or local fair housing agency for information about applicable protections.
Are Pet-Associated Rental Fees Negotiable?
It's perfectly fine to inquire about pet fees, deposits, and rent before signing a lease.
Tenants can ask landlords or property managers whether pet-related charges are negotiable, although landlords aren't required to reduce or waive them. Renters should also have an understanding of the housing market. If the landlord has several interested applicants, there may be less room for negotiation.
Conversely, if a rental has been on the market a while, a tenant may find they can negotiate pet fees. It may also help to provide references from a previous landlord or documentation of your pet's training and vaccination history when discussing a rental property's pet policy.
What Pet Costs and Restrictions Should Renters Review Before Signing a Lease?
Before signing a lease for a pet-friendly rental, review the property's pet policy carefully. In addition to understanding the difference between a pet fee, pet deposit, and monthly pet rent, confirm the following details:
- Upfront costs: Whether the property requires a non-refundable pet fee, a refundable pet deposit, or both.
- Monthly pet rent: How much you'll pay each month and whether the charge applies to each pet.
- Pet restrictions: Any limits on the number, size, breed, or type of animals allowed.
- Damage and cleaning responsibilities: Whether tenants must pay for pet-related repairs, cleaning, or other costs at move-out.
- Other requirements: Any vaccination records, licensing, or pet-related documentation required by the landlord or property manager.
Make sure the agreed-upon pet policy is included in your lease or pet addendum. For military families relocating with pets, understanding these costs and restrictions before moving can help avoid unexpected expenses and disagreements later.
Pet-related fees help landlords and property managers protect their properties, but that doesn't mean the costs are always set in stone. Before signing a lease, ask questions about pet fees, deposits, and restrictions, and discuss any concerns with the landlord or property manager. Clear communication can help both parties understand expectations and avoid disagreements down the road.
Renting a home or apartment? Take a look at our free checklist below before you sign on the dotted line.
