CKPG News

By Randi-Marie Adams

Charging a monthly pet fee or ‘pet rent’ is not legal in B.C.

Jan 22, 2022 | 11:24 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – The current rental market in Prince George is a tough market to crack, especially if you are a pet owner.

Rental rates have skyrocketed across town and it’s tough to find an affordable living situation, if you have a pet, then that decreases the ability to find a home as well.

If you are fortunate enough to find a place that will allow pets, then usually, a request for a one-time pet fee would be added to the move-in bill. According to the housing and the Residential Tenancies page on the Government of B.C’s website, deposits work like this:

“The deposit must be no more than half of one month’s rent, regardless of the number of pets allowed.A pet damage deposit can only be used to cover the costs of repairing damage caused by a pet, unless the tenant agrees in writing or an arbitrator orders the pet damage deposit be applied to a Monetary Order.”

It is important to note that it is illegal to charge a monthly pet fee or “pet rent” for your animal in the province of British Columbia. According to the Attorney Generals office, which oversees the Residential Tenancy Branch they say:

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” Landlords who permit pets in their rental properties can request one pet damage deposit at the beginning of the lease term and are not permitted to charge a monthly pet fee. If a tenant has been charged a monthly pet fee and has been unable to find a solution by communicating with their landlord, they can apply for dispute resolution through the Residential Tenancy Branch.” – Ministry of Attorney General

For more information or to contact the Residential Tenancy Branch click here.