Pet Rent

The Mercury-News reports on "pet rent," a growing trend in the Bay Area and other parts of the country. I haven't heard of pet-specific rent in Seattle, but I wouldn't doubt it. The article states that owners are paying $35.00 a month and up. Are any of you paying pet rent now?

Comments

[Jessica]

We bought our first home recently but up until that point every place we’ve ever lived has required not only a pet deposit (usually an addition $300 or so added to the security deposit) but also extra rent each month. It holds true for all three apartments we rented in the Baltimore area, and the house we rented in Houston.

[Michele]

Pet rent is ridiculous! I live in San Diego, CA it is being charged here as well . I rin some complexes. I refuse to live any where that charges it! What could my cat possibly do in a month that warrants $35.00 a month. Does it drink $35.00 worth of water? Is it using $35.00 worth of electricity? I have told my cat over and over to stop leaving the tv on. In the state of California a cat is classified as a rodent that is why we are not required to license them. So now I am being asked to pay a pet rent for a "rodent". Honestly my cat lays around all day cat napping and LOVES it's litter box so what damage coudl it possibly do beyond the $300 pet deposit I have already paid? Does that make my apartment a kennel now? Are they going to supply their food and other pet products? Property managers/owners are full of PET POO! It is just another way to get money out of us. They know how much we love our pets and that the pet industry is a multi million dollar business, they just want a piece of the action.

[M]

I live in FL, one of the worst states for renting, but no one charges pet rent here. I am moving to Indiana, and upon looking around, all the apartment complexes call themselves "pet friendly" but charge $35 a month per pet in addition to $250 nonrefundable deposit per pet. Definately not pet friendly in my mind! I wanted to ask them if they charged child rent, because my dog isn't going to crayola the walls. It seems though I'm renting an expensive townhouse in FL, the only places that will let me live in them in IN are run down hole in the walls. They shouldn't charge pet rent if the tenant has a good credit history and can get letters verifying good pet history. Sorry but I find it ridiculous!