I have a friend who lives in a Apartment Complex in Corona Ca. and she had to pay a 500.00 pet Deposit for her cat which is fixed and house trained. The management company is also charging her 30.00 dollars extra a month to have this cat on top of the deposit she paid. My question is that legal? Pet Deposits are usually non refundable so why should she have to 30.00 extra a month on a fixed income and being a single parent!
Thank You
Renee

According to the following website, landlords in California are prohibited from charing non refundable pet deposits, and although it doesn't mention additional charges per month, I would say this a rip off you should be reporting.

Articles.latimes.com

I have a friend who lives in a Apartment Complex in Corona Ca. and she had to pay a 500.00 pet Deposit for her cat which is fixed and house trained. The management company is also charging her 30.00 dollars extra a month to have this cat on top of the deposit she paid. My question is that legal? Pet Deposits are usually non refundable so why should she have to 30.00 extra a month on a fixed income and being a single parent!
Thank You
Renee


Here is California Law: "•There is no such thing as a “nonrefundable” security deposit. No matter what it’s called—a key deposit, cleaning fee, pet deposit, move-in fee, closing costs, last month’s rent, etc.—all money you pay in addition to your first month’s rent is refundable. Since “nonrefundable” deposits are illegal, don’t worry if your rental agreement includes a section about a “nonrefundable” deposit. This section will not be valid even if you have signed the rental contract or agreed to it.
•No matter what it’s called, the total amount the landlord can charge for all the deposits (including last month’s rent) is twice the amount of one month’s rent for an unfurnished place or three times one month’s rent for a furnished place."

Yes, the landlord can set whatever rent the landlord wants to charge. It's up to the tenant to accept or refuse but the landlord cannot keep the pet deposit unless there is proof of damages caused by the pet.

Does that answer your question?