Submitted by mostly_moths t3_y40do8 in providence
canibringmydog t1_isbl29z wrote
Dang. Like everyone said, lawyer. None of that sounds right (except pet fees, I think that is legal). I know you gave the money willingly but I would still reach out to your bank as well. Maybe there’s something they can do.
mostly_moths OP t1_isbqlbf wrote
Yeah I just looked it up and you're right, pet rent is legal (I don't know why the broker told me that? All of this is so crazy).
I think I will try to consult a lawyer, and possibly take it to small claims court--I looked over the contract again and I don't think she was in a position to cash that check, even within the stipulations of her own shady contract. Thanks to you (and everyone else) for the encouragement!
Status_Silver_5114 t1_isczr1o wrote
Pet rent isn’t legal. Where are you seeing it is? Security deposits are limited to the equivalent of one months rent and no more so there can’t be extra money as a deposit when signing a lease. I’m curious where you found that?
for pets.
mostly_moths OP t1_isdmsa9 wrote
From here: https://wrgri.com/2017/06/06/are-pet-deposits-allowed-in-rhode-island/
"While you can’t charge more than a month’s rent in a security deposit, the law does not appear to prohibit pet premium, or an increase in your rent to cover the pet(s) and any damage."
It also says that even though you can't charge more than a month's rent as a deposit, you can try to charge a separate "pet deposit" and see if the tenant challenges it in court...so awful and sketchy.
Rose charges a $150 fee up front and $15/mo. "pet rent"--it doesn't say deposit, just "fee," which seems worse because you can't expect to get it back like a deposit (although I guess most people don't get their deposits back from her anyway!)
Status_Silver_5114 t1_isegars wrote
To quote that link “While you can’t charge more than a month’s rent in a security deposit, the law does not appear to prohibit a pet premium, or an increase in your rent to cover the pet(s) and any damage.
We have been experimenting with a $35 per month pet premium”
As a landlord I’m not going to rely on an experiment but instead follow the law (which does in fact state a limit on the amount of money I can ask from a tenant). That’s not statute that’s an experiment.
canibringmydog t1_isel3nf wrote
Rhode Island landlords can charge whatever rent for whatever reason. They can also raise the rent upon renewal to any amount for any reason. Pets fall under “any reason”.
Status_Silver_5114 t1_isen142 wrote
No. They can’t. I’m taking specifically about security deposits/ it’s spelled out.
canibringmydog t1_iseno6v wrote
Ohhh I thought we were speaking on pet rent. And also about rent, yes they can. I have spoken with a lawyer about the rent. And it’s in the landlord tenant handbook.
Status_Silver_5114 t1_ises4vc wrote
Yeah but pet rent is just trying to work around the deposit statute imho. I think it’s sketch
ProvBroker t1_iseu80p wrote
It’s completely legal to make an increase to the base rent amount for pets.
You can’t demand a refundable holding deposit above and beyond the one months periodic rent, which is why ‘pet deposits’ are illegal. There is only one exception to this one months periodic rent rule, and that is for furnished apartments that meet certain criteria.
Source: am expert
canibringmydog t1_isfcjs3 wrote
I agree entirely. But unless there’s a specific law against it, and a tenant agrees, it’s fair game. Awful tenant rights in this state.
Status_Silver_5114 t1_isiulk7 wrote
And FFS if you raise the rent on a pet owner just raise the damn rent across the board - or better yet don’t and realize you already have the law on your side re damages And get over yourself.
leannemeschwitz t1_isdtrgl wrote
Pet rent is legal. Every apartment I’ve lived in charges extra for pets and I’ve lived in some places that weren’t run by sketchy landlords but big realty companies that know their laws.
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