HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 6-24
Pet Deposits (HUD Occupancy Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4)
Operative Text
A. The pet rules may require tenants to pay a refundable pet deposit, but apply only
to those tenants who own or keep cats or dogs in their units. This deposit is in
addition to any additional financial obligation generally imposed on tenants of the
property.
B. The maximum amount of the pet deposit that may be charged by an owner on a
per-unit basis is determined as outlined in Figure 6-8. The amount of the deposit
was set by publication of a notice in the Federal Register by HUD and may
change periodically with future publications.
C. Pet deposits only apply to properties established for the elderly and persons with
disabilities. Assistance animals *are animals that provide disability-related
assistance, support, or provide service to persons with disabilities and are
exempt from the pet policy and from the refundable pet deposit. See Chapter 2-
44 Assistance Animals as a Reasonable Accommodation for more information.*
D. An owner may use the pet deposit only to pay reasonable expenses directly
attributable to the presence of the pet on the property. Such expenses would
include, but not be limited to, the cost of repairs and replacement to the unit,
fumigation of the unit, and the cost of animal care facilities.
E. Owners must return the unused portion of a pet deposit to the tenant within a
reasonable time after the tenant moves from the property or no longer owns or
keeps a household pet in the unit.
F. In addition to the information presented here, an owner should consult HUD
Handbook 4350.1, Multifamily Asset Management and Project Servicing, for
further information and details relating to pet rules and regulations.
*Figure 6-8*: Collection of Pet Deposits
Program Maximum Amount to Collect
Tenants whose rents are subsidized The pet deposit must not exceed $300.
under the following programs:
The initial deposit cannot exceed $50 at
Section 8 New Construction the time the pet is brought onto the
Section 8 Substantial Rehabilitation premises.
Section 8 State Agency
The pet rules must provide for gradual
RHS 515 with Section 8
accumulation of the remaining required
Section 202 with PRAC
deposit, not to exceed $10 per month
Section 811 with PRAC
until the deposit is reached.
Rent Supplement
Rental Assistance Payment NOTE: A tenant must be allowed to pay
the entire amount or increments that are
greater than $10 if he or she chooses to
do so.
Tenants whose rents are not subsidized The pet deposit must not exceed $300.
under one of the programs listed in 1
The pet rules may provide for a gradual
above, but who live in a property
accumulation of the required deposit.
assisted under the following programs:
Section 236 Interest Reduction
Section 202 with Section 8
Section 202 with PAC
Section 221(d)(3) BMIRHUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 6-24 establishes rules for refundable pet deposits at HUD-assisted properties designated for elderly residents and persons with disabilities. Only tenants who keep cats or dogs may be charged a pet deposit, and the maximum amount is capped at $300 per unit, with specific limits on how much can be collected upfront and how the remainder may be accumulated over time. Assistance animals—those that provide disability-related support or service—are entirely exempt from pet deposit requirements and pet policies.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 6-24, owners and managers of eligible HUD-assisted properties generally structure their pet deposit policies to collect no more than $50 at the time a pet is brought onto the premises, with the remaining balance accumulated at no more than $10 per month until the $300 cap is reached, while allowing tenants to pay larger increments if they choose. Pet deposit funds may only be applied to reasonable expenses directly attributable to the pet, such as unit repairs, fumigation, or animal care facility costs. Any unused portion of the deposit must be returned to the tenant within a reasonable time after the tenant moves out or no longer keeps a pet in the unit.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 6-24 gives tenants in eligible HUD-assisted elderly and disability-designated properties the right to have their pet deposit capped at $300, with no more than $50 collected at move-in and the remainder accumulated gradually. If a tenant has an assistance animal that provides disability-related support or service, that animal is exempt from the pet deposit and pet policy entirely. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision have been violated may consider filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 25, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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