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Pet Deposit Calculator

Pet fees combine upfront deposit, non-refundable fee, and ongoing pet rent. This calculator sizes all three with multipliers for pet type and pet count to set realistic budgets for tenants and policies for landlords.

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Upfront pet cost

$1,320

Monthly pet rent

$84

Annual pet cost (non-refundable + rent)

$1,488

Refundable portion

$840

Non-refundable portion

$480

How the math works

Pet fees split three ways: refundable deposit (returnable if no pet damage), non-refundable fee (admin/cleaning), and monthly pet rent. Together, keeping a pet often costs $500-1,500 upfront plus $30-75/month. Large dogs and exotic pets command premiums.

Non-refundable pet fees are legal in most states but not all (California caps are tight). Service animals (ADA) and emotional support animals (FHA) are exempt from pet fees — landlord cannot charge deposits for them. Verify documentation but cannot demand specific details.

How to Use

  1. Enter monthly rent for context.
  2. Enter number of pets.
  3. Pick pet type — impacts size multiplier.
  4. Enter refundable deposit per pet.
  5. Enter non-refundable fee per pet.
  6. Enter monthly pet rent per pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What states limit pet fees?

California caps combined deposits (security + pet) at 2x monthly rent (3x if furnished). Some cities (NYC, Chicago) add additional pet-fee restrictions. Most states have no cap beyond standard deposit limits.

Are ESA/service animals covered?

Federal Fair Housing Act exempts service animals and emotional support animals from pet fees, deposits, and breed restrictions. Landlord can request reasonable documentation but cannot demand medical details.

Do non-refundable pet fees cover damage?

Sort of — they cover ordinary wear and cleaning at the admin level. Refundable deposits cover damage beyond ordinary wear. In practice, serious damage often exceeds both combined — pet addendum should specify scope.

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