Apartment lease doesn't mention pet deposit but manager suddenly demanding $500

Linda AU 📗 Student 👁 0 ⚑ Report Housing & Utilities

I signed my lease back in 2024 and there was never any pet deposit clause listed anywhere in the agreement. Now my landlord's property manager is emailing me saying I owe a $500 pet deposit for my dog before the end of the month or they'll pursue legal action. The lease still has 8 months left.

pet depositlease agreementlandlord disputerental agreement

1 answer

WI wind_dennis US 🌱 Newbie 💬 11 answers ⚑

Pull up your signed lease and send them a written response (email works) stating that the pet deposit clause doesn't exist in your agreement and you're not obligated to pay fees not outlined in the contract you both signed. Most jurisdictions won't let landlords retroactively add fees mid-lease, and their threat of legal action is pretty hollow since they'd lose - I've seen landlords try this before and it never holds up.

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