Pet Deposit Guidelines for Independent Living Residents

An estimated 55% of seniors report having at least one pet. The majority of senior pet owners also report that having a pet makes their lives more active, joyful, and fulfilling.

Having a pet shouldn't stop you from getting the assistance and community care that you need. Fortunately, there are many pet-friendly senior residences to choose from that will be happy to welcome you and your furry or feathered companion!

Before choosing your new community, make sure to find out about their pet deposit guidelines and other pet regulations for seniors. Read on as we discuss the basics of common senior living pet policies.

What Is a Pet Deposit For?

If you've been a renter in the past, you're probably familiar with the concept of a security deposit. Pet deposits are similar, except they're designed to cover the cost of damage caused by pets, not their owners. Different communities may use slightly different deposit or fee structures, which we'll discuss below.

Lump-Sum Pet Deposits

Some communities may ask pet-owning residents to pay a single deposit or fee to cover the cost of potential pet-related damage. Most of the time, you will owe this lump sum upon signing your assisted living lease or on the day your lease takes effect.

With a lump-sum pet deposit, you're usually looking at a larger bill. It may be a flat fee for all residents or a percentage of your first month's expenses.

Recurring Pet Fees

Other communities may ask pet-owning residents to pay recurring or rolling pet fees. In some cases, you may have to pay a pet fee each month as part of your monthly bill. In other cases, you may have an annual fee that recurs each time you renew your lease.

Recurring fees tend to cost less than a one-time deposit. However, they could amount to more in the long-term depending on how long you stay in your community.

Are Pet Deposits Refundable?

Whether or not a pet deposit is refundable will depend on your community's specific policies. Some communities will refund the pet deposit if you move out of your unit and your pet caused no excessive damage during your residency.

Other communities will use the term "fee" to indicate that a payment is non-refundable. However, it's important to clarify this information.

Independent Living Pet Policy Basics

Independent living communities often have additional regulations that pet owners must meet. Here are some potential guidelines to look out for when picking the right community for you and your pet.

Breed or Size Restrictions

Your independent living community may impose breed or size restrictions. For example, they may not allow exotic pets or certain types of dogs. They may require pets to be under a certain weight.

Some breed restrictions reflect state, county, or city laws. In this case, your community director can't make exceptions or amendments.

Quantity Limits

For many seniors, moving into assisted living involves downsizing. Because many residents live in apartments, the community may impose a limit on the number of pets they can have at one time.

The purpose of a quantity limit is to promote better health and sanitation. Because some communities provide pet assistance, quantity limits also ensure a reasonable use of resources. Quantity limits may shift depending on the type or size of your pet.

Resident Responsibility

As we mentioned earlier, some communities incorporate pet assistance into their care model. For example, a staff member may help disabled residents by walking their dog once a day or cleaning out a litter box a few times a week.

Make sure you find out if pet care assistance is available to residents. Though you may not need it now, it's useful to consider for your future planning.

Vaccine Requirements

Vets recommend that cats and dogs stay on a vaccine schedule which often includes things like rabies and Lyme disease shots. Many pet-friendly senior residences require health records establishing that your pet is up to date on all recommended vaccines.

Vaccine requirements protect the health of your neighbors and their pets. Make sure to learn ahead of time if you need proof of vaccinations for your pet. That way, you have time to get your pet caught up on anything they're missing.

Pet Deposits and Assistance Animals

Did you know that the Fair Housing Act applies to assisted living residents? More importantly, did you know that the Fair Housing Act makes unique exceptions for assistance animals?

Assistance animals (service and emotional support animals) are not considered pets. Instead, they're working animals that accommodate their owners' disabilities. As such, assisted living communities can't ask residents with assistance animals to pay pet fees of any kind.

Providing Documentation of Registration

You may need to provide proof that your dog or cat is registered as an assistance animal. Many people will provide a letter from their doctor or therapist establishing that the animal was "prescribed" as a disability accommodation.

Note that no housing provider can ask for proof of your disability. They may follow up with your doctor or therapist, but they should not ask any questions about why you need an assistance animal.

Assistance Animals and Property Damage

As we mentioned earlier, you do not owe a pet deposit or fee for an assistance animal.

However, that doesn't mean you can't be held liable for any damage your assistance animal causes during your residency. If your assistance animal causes excessive damage, your assisted living community may withhold part or all of your security deposit to cover the cost of repairs.

Learn About Our Senior Living Pet Rules

Having a pet shouldn't prevent you from living in a community that can better meet your needs. Many senior living communities welcome pets, although you will need to meet their community regulations. It's useful to ask about a community's pet deposit guidelines before making your choice.

We're always looking for new ways to improve the lives of our seniors, from providing pet-friendly living quarters to planning great meals, fitness programs, and activities for our residents.