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Under Maryland law, can a landlord charge me an additional pet deposit for the additional year added to my lease?
Anonymous3 views2 answers
Last year signed a lease, paid a $300 pet deposit, and throughout the year also paid additional $35/month in rent for the pet. This year, signed an addendum to the lease to extend it another 12 months, and the landlord just called me saying I need to pay an ADDITIONAL pet deposit for the upcoming year. Original lease said a "one-time" pet deposit may be requested.
Also, got a letter from property management company earlier saying essentially 'lease ending soon, rent is going up for next year if you stay another year, rent will be $xxxx amount a month, and this includes all pet fees.' Landlord is now saying that the rent increase is $xx amount and I need to add on the $35 pet fee.
Laura Mcfarland-TaylorTrademark Application AttorneyBolingbrook, IL ·
What your lease actually says is what controls, NOT what your landlord says the lease says. Take your lease to a local attorney for review. The Maryland Bar Association can give you a referral: http://www.msba.org/
One would think that the additional $300 SECURITY DEPOSIT is just that, security for possible damage caused by a pet; this is determined upon termination of the lease, and inspection of the leased premises, and FINDING some damage which is being assessed and costing the landlord some expense. With renewal, no inspection, and no damage, that security deposit should carry forward through the lease renewal.
As for the monthly additional $35, one would expect that this would continue, so long as you have a pet, even through lease renewal.
