Example
A lease allows one cat with a $300 pet deposit, a $150 pet fee and $25 a month in pet rent. Over a 12-month lease the tenant pays $750 in pet charges: the $150 fee, the $300 deposit and 12 × $25 = $300 in pet rent. Only the $300 deposit can come back, and only the part not used to repair damage the cat caused, such as clawed door frames or a stained carpet.
In a lease it looks like…
Tenant shall pay a refundable pet deposit of $300 and pet rent of $25 per month. The pet deposit is part of the security deposit and may be applied to any damage caused by the pet beyond normal wear and tear.
By state
In states that cap security deposits, a refundable pet deposit usually counts toward the cap; Hawaii allows up to one extra month’s rent as a pet deposit. Service and support animals are not pets under fair-housing rules, so no pet deposit, fee or rent may be charged for them.
Plain English, not legal advice. Last reviewed September 29, 2026.