2 ms·

Does Seattle allow pet deposits? That seems like a straightforward way to handle that, and it's what I've seen when renting elsewhere.

loeg 10d ago
It does not. Total deposit is capped at a single month's rent.
- deleted 10d ago
  [deleted]
- amluto 10d ago
  Click the link to the ordinance. It explicitly permits pet damage deposits.
ggreer 10d ago
Pet deposits are allowed, but they are restricted to 25% of the first month's rent and landlords cannot require a deposit if the pet is an "assistance animal" for the tenant.[1] It's unclear what qualifies as an assistance animal. If an assistance animal does cause damage, the property owner must sue for damages. I doubt such lawsuits are common, as the cost to hire a lawyer and sue in civil court is easily thousands of dollars, and compensation is far from guaranteed. Even if you win the case, collecting can be difficult. Also I'm not sure what the new law changes. Since 2016, Seattle has banned charging extra rent for having a pet. Subsection E states: "Other than the pet damage deposit authorized by subsection 7.24.038.A, the landlord may not charge the tenant any fee for keeping a pet." 1. https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT7COPR_CH7.24REAGRE_7.24.038PEDADE https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code...
- vkou 10d ago
  > Also I'm not sure what the new law changes It doesn't change anything about pets, the grandparent poster's complaint is a dogwhistle. What it does ban is shit like 'consigliere' trash disposal, where you are made to pay $50 a month for the privilege of not being allowed to use the building's dumpster. Instead, you have to pile your trash at your door, and then the landlord takes it to the dumpster. You can't opt out of this 'service'. Oh, and the city's bill for trash disposal is still passed on to you. Oh, and your building now smells like garbage. (Landlords are, of course, still free to offer this as an optional paid service, which ~everyone will opt out of.)
vkou 10d ago
Yes, this legislature explicitly permits them.

loeg 10d ago

It does not. Total deposit is capped at a single month's rent.

deleted 10d ago
[deleted]
amluto 10d ago
Click the link to the ordinance. It explicitly permits pet damage deposits.

ggreer 10d ago

Pet deposits are allowed, but they are restricted to 25% of the first month's rent and landlords cannot require a deposit if the pet is an "assistance animal" for the tenant.[1] It's unclear what qualifies as an assistance animal. If an assistance animal does cause damage, the property owner must sue for damages. I doubt such lawsuits are common, as the cost to hire a lawyer and sue in civil court is easily thousands of dollars, and compensation is far from guaranteed. Even if you win the case, collecting can be difficult. Also I'm not sure what the new law changes. Since 2016, Seattle has banned charging extra rent for having a pet. Subsection E states: "Other than the pet damage deposit authorized by subsection 7.24.038.A, the landlord may not charge the tenant any fee for keeping a pet." 1. https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT7COPR_CH7.24REAGRE_7.24.038PEDADE https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code...

vkou 10d ago
> Also I'm not sure what the new law changes It doesn't change anything about pets, the grandparent poster's complaint is a dogwhistle. What it does ban is shit like 'consigliere' trash disposal, where you are made to pay $50 a month for the privilege of not being allowed to use the building's dumpster. Instead, you have to pile your trash at your door, and then the landlord takes it to the dumpster. You can't opt out of this 'service'. Oh, and the city's bill for trash disposal is still passed on to you. Oh, and your building now smells like garbage. (Landlords are, of course, still free to offer this as an optional paid service, which ~everyone will opt out of.)

vkou 10d ago

Yes, this legislature explicitly permits them.