[TiredMommy]

My hubby & I have been renters for 20 years. We have an impeccable record. When we moved into our current house I was freshly out of the hospital from a dble mastectomy. I have incurable breast cancer. We've had 2 sweet fixed cats for several years & they are my companions. My husband neglected to tell our landlord we had them! When they found out they charged us 3K for a deposit. My question is, if we get another pet, do they have the right to charge even more?

[ScottGem]

First, ANY question about law needs to include your general locale as laws vary by area.

Second, I'm sorry to hear about your medical condition, but I'm also sorry to say it has no real bearing on your situation.

I can't really say whether $3K is a reasonable pet deposit without knowing what your rental is, what area you live in and how much you paid as a deposit initially. Also did your lease say anything about no pets or pet deposits? How long had you been living there when they found out about the pets?

[Fr_Chuck]

I guess what is your monthly rental, if you pay 10,000 a month rent, a 3000 pet deposit may not be out of line.

Was the deposit refundable or not when you move.

[kalliereann]

Please refer to your lease.

There is no law specific to any state I am aware of in regards to pet deposits other than:

No service animal requires any fees (be it mental or emotional service pet).
SOME states do not allow NON-refundable deposits.
And there are usually laws that stop landlords from imposing TOO MANY fees (ie. Non-refundable pet fee, a pet deposit AND monthly pet rent).

However, you stated that they did not know you had the animals when you signed the lease.
ALL units require animal approval, some sort of fee/deposit, and the information for the pets you plan on keeping in the unit.
If you do not give them this information prior to signing your lease or within the time frame they gave you (let's say... if you KNEW you were adopting a pet but didn't have it yet and told them before you got it), they can charge you astronomical fees. It should be in your lease.

- Why on earth would you not tell them you had pets?
- This is a breech of contract, so they can charge you.
- I suggest reconciling this before you even consider getting another pet.
- You can be evicted over this if they really wanted to go there. In most states this is a 3 day nuisance notice, which is followed by a 5 day.
- My guess is that you live in a place that does not accept pets/cats at all. But because you already live there and the market is poor, they haven't kicked you out so they're charging you an insane amount for pet deposits.

[TiredMommy]

Pet Deposit another 3k.

[ScottGem]

First, Please do not use the Comments feature to post follow ups. Use the Answer This question options instead.

Since the lease said no pets you are lucky they just charged you a pet deposit rather than force you to move. A deposit equivalent to one month is reasonable.

[slapshot_oi]

kalliereann is completely right, all this is in your lease. But, you can hedge your bets now that they know you have pets, if you get another one they will charge you more.

A $3,000 deposit for pets is ridiculously high when your monthly rent is $3,000. Usually, that would fall under security deposit.