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Question: for communities charging monthly pet rent and/or initial pet fees:
(1) do you get questions about why you charge those, (2) if you do, what are your answers? I’m surprised there are still rental properties that do don’t accept pets and others that do but don’t charge pet rent &/or pet fees—but they are out there. Thanks!

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Karen Mallinger We don’t get questions much but the simple answer is that pets are more likely to cause damages than humans and while I’m sure your pet is the exception, our policy needs to treat everyone equally.

Guest Insider We charge a non-refundable let fee and monthly pet rent. It's never been questioned but... Like Karen Mallinger said, they are likely to cause more damage, plus having a pet is a privilege. Of course, ESA/SA animals are not charged the fee or rent.

Chris Finetto You can charge a final cleaning fee for having an animal in the apartment, deduct from deposit but most be noted upfront. Just have the backup to justify the additional cleaning costs.

Guest Insider Chris Finetto we charge for carpet cleaning at move out, pet odor treatment is an additional charge. Well, every resident vacating a unit is charged a cleaning fee and a carpet cleaning fee (unless they only had vinyl). We don't have to tell what those costs are, either, as we bill back via an invoice from the vendor. That specific verbiage is in the lease and notice to vacate. Pet addendum covers pet damages. No explanation on the charge beside 'pet-related' is needed for where I am.Just a side note, every apartment with renters insurance we can file a claim at move out and they cover pet cleaning and damages.

Chris Finetto The fees are to recover costs associated to having animals on site. Grounds cleaning, even though you pick up poop some don’t and there’s lawn and turf maintenance to consider. Pet occupied apartments are less desirable, same as a smoker’s apartment.Move out costs are much higher, pet occupied apartments require additional cleaning - deep cleaning floors, ducts and furnace.Pay or Go - My favorite, if you don’t want to pay then it is your choice to live somewhere else. Chick-Fil-A charges the same with or without the pickle. If you want a deal, go to Chick-Fil-A and ask for extra pickles.

Reba Shahan What about the idea of renter's insurance for pets? My community requires it.

Guest Insider The deposit is to cover damages in the apartment that are more likely to occur when you own a pet. Fees and pet premiums are to recoup money spent on things like dog waste stations and bags, replacing sod from pet urine, paying a poop scoop company, maintenance time for picking up poop etc. As well as recouping some money on the turns as well for additional items needed when you own a pet (cat or dog).

Guest Insider True story...we were located in a pocket of heavy competition - basically the same 80's product, good location but intense. Our property had been no pets since construction - wierd! With difficulty leasing and getting top rents, management decided to accept strictly controlled pets. Didn't really level the playing field. I was asked to assess and decided to try NO PET RENT! It was $15 a month so in a year we would lose $180 in revenue - big deal compared to an empty or underpriced unit. We went big on website and ads "We've set your pet free" Your pet is a family member - why charge rent! Incredibly successful!

Guest Insider I have never understood monthly pet fees. Especially when we all know people have them and don't report them. Then they Asa animals, etc. I am all for REFUNDABLE pet deposit, but never see understood, monthly fees. Side note... I live in an pat complex that has a no pet policy and I have never seen so many pets in my life.

Maria Johnson We rent houses. Very few apartments or multiplexes. We allow 2 four-legged pets. We charge a pet fee for each pet and that money goes to the owner of the property. We don’t charge pet rent. The biggest problem we have is the same as everyone else. Claiming the pet is an Emotional Support Animal to avoid paying the pet fee. I hate that law.

Guest Insider We charge a one-time non-refundable $500 pet fee and $20/month pet rent per pet! So if someone has 2 dogs, thats $1K off the bat. We have more pets than people in my building and they are pampered! The costs go toward additional common area and elevator cleanup for frequent accidents, a pet concierge service that provides treats, pet of the month awards, new move in pet gifts, and pet events for the building. We do not have any pet amenities such as a dog run or pet spa. From a marketing perspective it makes sense to cater to pet owners and they will pay these fees without blinking an eye- that's just the cost of pet ownership.

As far as ESAs go, we started using PetScreening, a 3rd party company that ALL residents must register with, even if they are not a pet owner. Pet owners pay $20/year and submit all of their documents, including ESA docs. PetScreening analyzes their information and presents it to us to make a final determination on pet/ESA. If the resident can't/won't submit... Show more

We charge a one-time non-refundable $500 pet fee and $20/month pet rent per pet! So if someone has 2 dogs, thats $1K off the bat.  We have more pets than people in my building and they are pampered! The costs go toward additional common area and elevator cleanup for frequent accidents, a pet concierge service that provides treats, pet of the month awards, new move in pet gifts, and pet events for the building.  We do not have any pet amenities such as a dog run or pet spa.  From a marketing perspective it makes sense to cater to pet owners and they will pay these fees without blinking an eye- that's just the cost of pet ownership.

As far as ESAs go, we started using PetScreening, a 3rd party company that ALL residents must register with, even if they are not a pet owner.  Pet owners pay $20/year and submit all of their documents, including ESA docs.  PetScreening analyzes their information and presents it to us to make a final determination on pet/ESA.  If the resident can't/won't submit the correct documents, then we charge them pet rent.

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