My landlord has given me permison to have a pet and says I have to pay one months rent as a deposit for the pet. I have already paid her 1st, last and 1 month security deposit. I work with others who have only charged $300.00 and I would be willing to pay that amount but she wants more than double that and I do NOT feel it is right. Am I right or is she?:confused:

I doubt if there is a legal llimit. There is a link to PA laws at the top of this forum so you could check it out. I think that 1 months rent is reasonable, especially if its listed as a security deposit that can be returned when the lease is up.

Landlords can suffer a lot of physical damages to property caused by pets. I am sure that the sum seems exorbitent, but then they were willing to rent to you, weren't they? Some landlords don't rent to people with kids or dogs period. Consider yourself lucky. Landlords charge whatever they wish for pet deposits I found. That sum does seem excessive to me, but then I have no idea what the premises looks like either. You could have brand new carpeting throughout the premises. Maybe ask them why such a high amount and for what kind of anticipated damages are they talking about?

I agree with Scott, I don't know if there is a legal limit but as long as it's considered a deposit, I don't know if I'd worry about it too much. Like twinkie said, you also have to take into consideration that many places don't rent to petowners and those that do want some sort of insurance (ie. The deposit). Plus I'm sure the higher deposit serves as a deterrent against people allowing their pets to rip the property to shreds.