A refundable amount held or pre authorised by an accommodation provider as security against damage caused by a dog during a stay. A damage deposit is returned in full where no damage occurs. Any amount that is non refundable or routinely retained regardless of damage is a fee (see definition 13), not a deposit, regardless of how the provider describes it.
RDFRG-02 · Defined Term 14
Damage Deposit
A refundable amount held as security against dog damage, returned in full where no damage occurs.
Definition
A refundable amount held as security against dog damage, returned in full where no damage occurs.
Part of the Roch Dog Standard (RDFS-02) · Published by Roch Dog
Damage Deposit
Roch Interpretation
The word deposit only applies if the money comes back when no damage occurs. A charge that is always retained is a fee, and naming it a deposit does not change how it is assessed under this standard.
Examples
Compliant
A hotel holds a £200 pre authorised card charge for dog stays and releases it within 72 hours of checkout if no damage is reported, as stated in its published policy.
Not compliant
A hotel describes its £50 'pet deposit' in its policy but routinely retains the full amount for all dog bookings regardless of whether any damage or additional cleaning was required.
Published by Roch Dog Inc
RDFRG-02 · Last updated 17 March 2026