How can a landlord properly handle pet deposits?

In Virginia, landlords must follow state law and use certain procedures to collect pet deposits from tenants. The most important component of a landlord-tenant agreement when it comes to pets is a Security Deposit, or Pet Damage Deposit. A pet damage deposit is an amount of money collected by a landlord to cover any damages to the property caused by a tenant’s pet. To legally collect a pet deposit, the landlord must specifically identify the pet by breed or type, and the deposit amount must be reasonable and in accordance with state law. In Virginia, landlords can charge up to two times the monthly rent or a maximum of $100 total as a pet deposit. The landlord must also provide the tenant with a written agreement that lays out the pet rules and regulations for the property. The agreement should explain that the pet deposit is non-refundable and that it may be used to cover any damages that may arise from the pet. It should also outline pet-clean-up rules and pet-related tenant responsibility. In addition, the landlord should maintain a written record of the pet deposit collected and the pet-related agreements with the tenant. This record should include the amount of the deposit, the date the deposit was paid, and a copy of the agreement with the tenant. All of this information can be helpful if issues arise in the future. Lastly, the landlord should conduct regular inspections to ensure that any pet damages are known and can be documented. This will help protect the landlord when it comes to returning the pet deposit to the tenant.

How can a landlord properly handle pet deposits?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts