I have to agree, it should be HIGHLY illegal. You already pay a security deposit equal to one months rent as well as first months rent prior to moving in. A pet fee per pet (of $150-$300) seems reasonable, but to add an additional rent ($40) PER PET—PER MONTH as my apartment does just seems highly absurd. The SECURITY deposit is there to take care of any damages the pet may cause as well as normal use of the unit, I would much rather let go of my security deposit so that my unit can be made move in ready, rather than pay an increased rent amount just to have pets—because that money never comes back and over time equals the security deposit if not more—depending on how long you rent there. On top of all of this my complex also requires renters insurance and charges another 2 separate fees for other things on top of the rent already being charged per month, so rather than paying per month the price that is advertised you end up paying an extra $200-400 dollars per month in additional fees depending on the amount of pets you have (2 in my case) which just seems absolutely ass backwards. Especially since renting is meant to be a means to afford housing for those who cannot reasonably buy a home… thoughts?

I just got a new landlord in our apartment complex first thing they did was increase everyone's rent from around 900/month for a tiny two bedroom to 1500/month than they added on 25 for cats and small dogs and 50 for large dogs also made a list of dog breeds that aren't allowed on property in addition they want first and last months rent when signing a lease a $50 internet fee $20 trash fee $80 laundry fee $100 pool fee and this is why we now have half the apartments empty

This is almost exactly what I see everywhere around me and just got done paying for these apartment offices to try and suck my entire deposit out every time I vacate with a dog. I have never left without a fight at the end of every lease and it’s exhausting. I am always successful at getting my money back because I take photos and fill my move in inspection out to the littlest piece of dirt and take photos for my own records. Just ruins the entire relationship with the property as well. It’s actually unreal 200 deposit, 300 fee, 30 dollar per rent per month and a 600 regular deposit. It’s honestly getting out of hand. And to see a move out statement with frivolous charges sends me over the top.

Yes, I totally agree with all of this! I've been reading through all the comments because we are having a real issue with people not picking up after their pets. We would like to start charging a pet rent per month just to cover costs of hiring someone to pick it up. I just don't understand the irresponsible pet owner that wants to complain about fees, and deposits. I'm tired of stepping in the dog poop, tired of taking calls from complaining resident's, and tired of maintaining a pet station on almost every corner (13 to be exact), with bags, and trash cans. We tried to make it really easy for the residents even supplying pick up bags! But yet...they allow their pet to poop 5 feet from pet station and walk away. So, now I am paying to empty the pet stations, trash bags for those trash cans, and pet pick up bags, and someone to patrol 2 times a week and pick up dog poop! It's a never ending cycle.

Landlord perspective: I didn't see mention of a pet security deposit. If there was a security deposit that absolutely should be credited toward damages. The fee is just a fee to allow animals. Many landlords do not so you paid a fee for them to do so. But the rest, is simply the cost of having animals. Rent is just that. Rent even though there is an additional rent for the cats it is rent. Not security and not for damages but for the opportunity to have your animals in the unit with you. Yep, from a fur person (animal)lovers point of view, unjust because kids, heck adults can be like or worse than animals. So, no the extra rent and fee just gave you additional opportunities for which you paid. IF I could legally charge a kid fee I would but I can't legally do that so when the unit has multiple bedrooms the rents are higher...kind of a built in kid fee. Nope the extra costs you knew up front and have no bearing on the damages assessed.

I was hesitant at first to charge for pets. However I realized that most properties did not accept pets for good reason. They do cause extra wear and tear and if doggie mom and dad aren't good parents damages can be significant. I now charge an additional deposit and have a sliding scale for addition rent. That is, an animal...cat, dog, lizard, snake...whatever... under 25 # is an extra $250 security and $25 per month rent. Over 25 and up to 50 # the security is $500 and rent an extra $50. Yep bigger animals can and do cause bigger problems. No pets over 50#. None, nadda, zilch. EXCEPT if they are CERTIFIED support animals. Then legally I have no choice. So over 50# is $650 security and $60 per month rent ONLY if certified support animals.
For certified support animals I may closely evaluate the legitimacy of it and if the animal is obviously well behaved and cared for revert to the 50# rate but the dog must demonstrate obedience training.

Yep, I agree children do also cause damages, and I prefer to rent to those without either children or animals. But the law doesn't allow me to charge extra for kids. Alas, will take what I can.