Pet Deposits
Of course we’re talking about your new pet.
If you don’t own your home, adding a pet to your family can be tricky. Just about every rental property – if the landlord allows pets – will require some sort of pet deposit. Some landlords even require a monthly pet rent to cover the cost of damage caused by the pet or increased maintenance costs such as replacing an air filter more often. We’ve outlined some things to consider when getting a pet, including whether your pet deposit is refundable.
Don’t get a pet if your landlord says you can’t have one!
Many landlords do not allow pets. If the no pet policy is specifically addressed in your lease, it’s probably not worth asking for a special consideration. If pets are accepted on a case-by-case basis or with specific rules – i.e. no pets larger than 50 pounds – you also want to make sure your friend is acceptable under the terms of your lease.
It’s likely that you or someone you know has kept a pet illegally, as in against the terms of his or her lease. We never recommend this for a few reasons, the most important of which is the possibility of eviction. Violating your lease is often grounds for immediate eviction without any refund on deposits or other financial obligations.
Is there a pet deposit, pet rent or any other financial obligation on your part?
The majority of landlords who allow pets require, at minimum, a pet deposit. Most pet deposits are at least partly non-refundable. This protects the landlord from that day you left Fido for longer than he was used to and he got out anyway…through the huge hole he made in the door. You know…if Fido does that sort of thing.
Some landlords also require a pet rent. This may vary depending on the size and type of the pet or the type of property. This is like regular rent in that it is non-refundable.
Can I get my pet deposit back?
This totally depends on the terms of your lease. If any part of your pet deposit is refundable, we suggest the following to make sure you recoup as much of it as possible:
- Rent a carpet cleaner and use it – TWICE. Consider something like a Rug Doctor that will steam the carpet in addition to vacuuming it. Seriously. You may be used to living with your dog or cat, but your landlord will know as soon as he walks through the door if there is any lingering pet smell or hair in the carpets.
- Invest in a can of paint that is the color of your baseboards, doors and walls. Do this right when you move in and stay on top of any damages caused by your pet. Cats with claws sure do enjoy scraping their paws under doors, and dogs tend to think that if they scratch hard enough they will eventually get through that door you shut them behind one night. The $30 you’ll spend on the paint will make a big difference when your landlord is determining whether to refund all or part of your pet deposit.
- Clean as you go – make sure to keep carpet and floor cleaning products on hand. Should your pet have an accident, make sure to take care of it immediately.
Have questions we didn’t address here? Leave them in the comments and we’ll answer them there.