My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of Virginia:
Is it legal in the state of Virginia to include a non-refundable pet deposit? Should it be stated as a pet fee? Also is it illegal to include a non-refundable security deposit in a lease? By definition from the Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act, the definition of security deposit is: any refundable deposit of money that is furnished by a tenant to a landlord to secure the performance of the terms and conditions of a rental agreement, as a security for damages to the leased premises, or as a pet deposit. However, such money shall be deemed an application deposit until the commencement date of the rental agreement. Security deposit shall not include a damage insurance policy or renter's insurance policy as those terms are defined in § 55-248.7:2 purchased by a landlord to provide coverage for a tenant.

