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Is it illegal to charge a $500.00 non-refundable fee for a dog to rent an apartment in NJ?

Public Comments

1. No. If it's in the renters agreement (contract) that's the way it is.
2. it's perfectly within the right of the landlord. and it's not unreasonable.
3. Nope. Be glad you could find a dog friendly place at all. ETA: Could be worse you could have to pay a monthly fee on top of your rent every month to have a dog. Heck $500 isn't all that expensive in the grand scheme of things. I got lucky - no deposit, no monthly pet fee. All I have to do is give my landlord a head's up about the dog. However I spent a couple months finding my current place at $800 a month for the area I wanted.
4. No. Why would it be? Is there some weird law in NJ making it so? The pet deposit is to clean up after the dog when it moves out. Simple enough. It is however illegal to keep a dog in an apt without paying the pet fee. $500 isnt bad at all in my opinion. I have heard from some apts that charge a month's rent for a pet deposit. My current townhouse charges $650 for pets.
5. not if its in the contract
6. Of course not! Since most dogs are unemployed these days, I think it's amazing that anyone in their right mind would rent an apartment to a dog at all! Hey... you asked the question... Kabum
7. No........owner's discretion whether dogs are permitted and if they are, if a pet deposit, refundable or not, is insisted apon.
8. No. It is completely within your landlords rights. For my dog friendly place my rent is $100 more than my old place, I pay $25 a month in pet fees (non refundable) and I had to put down a whole months deposit. Be happy you found a place that takes dogs.
9. It is legal. They charge a nonrefundable pet fee in case the pet ruins the apartment. They can use that money to professionally clean or replace the carpets or anything else that needs fixed. Just be glad you don't have to pay a monthly fee. I lived in a place for 10 years and had to pay a fee every month.