My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Georgia

We've lived in our apartment for over 2.5 years. In that time, we have had property management and maintenance in our apartment and nothing has been said about our cat. We've gotten away with having a cat for all this time because she makes herself invisible every time a stranger enters. We found the dog about a month ago. He's well behaved and hasn't had a single accident.

3 weeks ago, our property management forced a lender inspection on all units. They claimed, in this 700+ unit community that the lender absolutely needed to walk through each every unit to inspect for renovations and structural needs. "Because they have no records of renovated units." I think they glossed over the water damaged laundry room which they have neglected to repair for nearly 6 months...

It's been 3 weeks since the inspection (4/27/14). (The form is marked 5/19 but, we did not get the notice until 5/20) 10 days before rent is due, I come home to a violation notice demanding we pay deposits, $200 for the cat, $400 for the dog and $10 per animal per month for pet rent. Essentially we have 10 days to come up with $620 on top of rent, due to animals they found during a unit structure inspection. This is not a violation fee but, what they claim to be the standard pet deposit. Our carpet was by no means new when we moved in.

Our lease has a no pets clause but, there is a separate addendum for pets. In the break down, it does not speak of a deposit per animal. Only that the cost is different depending on the type/size of the animal.

When I asked a leasing manager about how they found the pets, I was told they were looking during the lender inspection because, the collection on pet fees in our community is abnormally low.

I understand that it is proper for me to pay the fees but, I feel they are exorbitant and the deadline is inappropriate to ask us to pay what amounts to double rent 10 days before rent is due.

I question the legality of the fashion in which they found our pets.