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
RDFRG-02 · Last updated 17 March 2026