A deposit is not monthly pet rent
District of Columbia legal and property-management guidance says the rental provisions of the Pets in Housing Amendment Act began applying October 1, 2026 after the budget condition changed. The original enacted text contains earlier lease dates and a funding trigger, so the current implementation explanation is important.
The law limits a refundable pet deposit to fifteen percent of monthly rent and restricts withholding it to pet-caused damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. Monthly pet rent is separately limited to one percent of the first full month's rent for each dog, or one percent combined for other common household pets.
The law does not make every property pet-friendly
The text bars specified breed, size or weight-based restrictions for covered leases while allowing reasonable safety, sanitation and pet-number policies. Current guidance says landlords can still operate pet-free properties or require written approval; fee limits do not mean every building must accept every pet.
Service or assistance animals required as disability accommodations are not ordinary pet-fee cases under the text. Preserve the lease date, pet terms and actual charge when comparing the limits. Do not automatically apply the dog-by-dog rule to all animals or treat a refundable deposit as an unrestricted fee. The October implementation change brings distinct caps into focus without guaranteeing a refund on every older lease.