Pet deposit
An extra deposit charged to cover potential pet damage. May be refundable or non-refundable. Some jurisdictions cap it or ban non-refundable versions.
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Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
A pet deposit is separate from the security deposit, sometimes non-refundable, and capped or banned in some places. Selling a rental means transferring it with the rest of the tenant's money.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
Your tenant paid a $300 refundable pet deposit for a cat. It transfers to the buyer at closing with the $1,500 security deposit.
| The deposit | What happens to it |
|---|---|
| Refundable pet deposit | Transfers to the buyer, returned to the tenant at move-out less pet damage |
| Non-refundable pet fee, where allowed | Already the landlord's; nothing to transfer |
| A pet fee in a state that bans non-refundable ones | Treated as refundable whatever it was called |
A pet deposit is the tenant's money with a narrower purpose, and it moves with the lease.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That an assistance animal takes a pet deposit. It does not; fair housing treats it as an accommodation, not a pet.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
In your Room, this word explains itself where it appears.
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