Pet Rent (liable, application, rules, water)

[Kim in FL]

Originally Posted by WildnFree

I don't get the non refundable portion either let alone "pet rent." I wish I could buy but I am in no financial position to. So until then I will keep throwing money away.

Don't get me wrong I understand the LL POV the average person can barely raise their children let alone adding animals to the mix.

I'll share what they do here with pet deposits.

When the tenant moves out, they do their walk thru..if the carpet isn't too bad ( or the smell doesn't burn your nose hairs) they will have it professionally cleaned.

They will turn off the ac and leave the place l ocked up for several days and then go back and judge the pet odor and go from there. If it's bad, they will rip the carpet and pad out, clean and seal the concrete and replace the padding and carpet.

They also do a de-fleaing of the whole unit. They also make any repairs to the walls, baseboards and door frames.

I paid $400 for my cat. Did my cat do $400 worth of damage? Nope, he didn't do any. He used a cat box, I've never ever had a cat pee or poop on my carpet.

I paid $200 for my dog. Did my dog do $200 worth of damage? Nope, he didn't any damage. Did he pee or poop on the carpet? Sure, while housebreaking, but that's why every box store sells hot water carpet cleaners and I suggest everyone with carpets and dogs buy one. ( buy a Dyson too...nice!) And you can buy bottles of spot carpet cleaner as well.

Did it upset me to pay this money? Not on bit. These ppl don't know me and don't know what kind of pet owner or person I am. They are only protecting their investment. Something I would do if I was ever to be a landlord, but I wouldn't allow pets.

[WildnFree]

I can assume that's what they will use the deposits for, at the time I wasn't questioning too much just glad that they actually allowed my guys.

I LOVE my Dyson, I've had mine almost 8 years ( refurbished at that) and it still goes strong. I'm thinking about upgrading though but that won't be until this one finally "dies."

If I were a landlord I would allow pets but to get my approval most wouldn't even make it to the interview.....

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

...

2.) Non-refundable deposits are BS. I'm happy to pay a reasonable pet deposit but I deserve the opportunity to have it entirely refunded...

The problem with that logic is that you in fact do not "deserve" to rent a property with a pet in the first place. No landlord has to accept a pet (except under ADA for service animals).

Therefore, if you want the privilege of having an animal in the property you rent, the landlord has the right to dictate the terms under which landlord is willing to allow an animal, including non-refundable pet deposit.

You in turn have the freedom to decline those terms and look for another place that offers the 100% refundable pet deposit to which you feel entitled.

Steve

[PacificFlights]

Mu uncle's places use a "Non-Refundable" pet deposit and a "Refundable Pet deposit". The reason for the two is that in some states, they have to itemize and refund within such a short time that it's not always possible to discover some pet damage that was concealed by the tenant. You would be surprised at steps tenants take to make 'accidents' caused by their pets dissapear long enough to pass initial moveout inspection. The refundable deposit is to cover what can be seen and detected but t e non refundable is to cover damages that were concealed and would otherwise have to be sued for because it wasn;t discoverd until after the legal timeperiod to refund deposits.. I know he would prefer not to have any non-refundable, but he tells me that this is what he feels pet onwers want because so many have gone to great lenghts to conceal damages.

[chef.sunny22]

We were lucky to find a place that waived the pet deposit and rent. They were desperate to rent so you have to put up with the bad points if they make a deal with you.

[Bandon]

Originally Posted by manderly6

This post = lack of business sense.

I could give a flying frogs fat butt about "business" sense. What I care about is the fact that having a pet is good for a person. It's been proven to lower stress & blood pressure. We aren't here to make loads of money to the detriment of the human spirit.

And if you're talking business sense, wouldn't it make more sense to refuse to rent to people with mulitple children ? Kids make a LOT more damage then pets do.

[STT Resident]

Originally Posted by Bandon

And if you're talking business sense, wouldn't it make more sense to refuse to rent to people with mulitple children ? Kids make a LOT more damage then pets do.

Unfortunately there are, in many landlord tenant situations, laws that prohibit a landlord from refusing to rent to a family with children.

[manderly6]

Originally Posted by Bandon

I could give a flying frogs fat butt about "business" sense. What I care about is the fact that having a pet is good for a person. It's been proven to lower stress & blood pressure. We aren't here to make loads of money to the detriment of the human spirit.

And if you're talking business sense, wouldn't it make more sense to refuse to rent to people with mulitple children ? Kids make a LOT more damage then pets do.

That is illegal.

[felinius]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

... You in turn have the freedom to decline those terms and look for another place that offers the 100% refundable pet deposit to which you feel entitled.

Steve

I'm not sure why, maybe it's the wording and italicized portions, but this post rubs me the wrong way.

Some times, you really don't have the freedom to decline the terms. I'm happy to live in a state where the deposits must be refundable, however.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by felinius

I'm not sure why, maybe it's the wording and italicized portions, but this post rubs me the wrong way.

Some times, you really don't have the freedom to decline the terms. I'm happy to live in a state where the deposits must be refundable, however.

I was referring specifically to the poster who said he always demands 100% refundable pet deposit, or won't rent the place.

But I agree, and it's difficult for some, who really can't turn to ample "Plan B" options to find a rental.

But deciding to obtain and own pets is a serious commitment and one that I don't think enough people think fully through. Especially the financial exposure (emergency vet plus standard annual care/shots), and the limitation that will be experienced when renting.

Steve