Moving out of apartment with pet stains on carpet (lease, credit)

[andyATMcandy]

Long story short, our dog has had accidents on the carpet and we have concluded we will probably have to replace the carpet. Assuming the worst, it will be the entire 1300+ sq foot space.

It is roughly $1300 for the entire carpet and we were told it has a lifespan of 5 years... we were the first to live there so subtract 1 year off and it's around $1100 what we'd have to pay..

My question is:

We paid a $200 non-refundable pet deposit and a $200 refundable pet deposit

We also paid a $200 or something deposit when signing the lease



That's $600 of deposits total... will ALL of this go towards the move-out costs of damages, replacing carpet, etc? Or only the refundable ones?

I don't want to call in and ask because they'll just note our apartment for dog urine and any other mishaps. (we haven't spoken directly to the complex yet )

[DaveG99]

get the carpets professionally cleaned. If that doesnt work get on craigslist and see if you can get someone to replace the carpet cheap.

[andyATMcandy]

well I don't think we'll be able to beat the $1100... because that's labor included. All my research has it being quite a lot of $ higher than $1100 with labor included.

Just wondering about the deposits for the most part.

Thanks

[Prince Mongo]

Good thing you don't have cats. Nothing can get cat urine out of carpet.

[andyATMcandy]

lol I don't think you can get any urine out of carpet completely... not enough to pass an black light/UV inspection in the dark anyway.

[kacvb1974]

Question: Are you 100% certain that this complex does not install new carpet, as part of their typical make-ready, every time a new tenant moves in??

Since you were informed of the carpet price and it's lifespan, I'm guessing the answer is "no". But geez, no matter how fastidious a tenant or how durable the carpet, makes you feel bad for the dude who moves in during year 4 if they're not replaced just from general wear. I ask because rarely did I move into a corporately managed apartment (mom and pop owned another whole story) where I was not provided new carpet. This went from a $500/mo hovel over on Skillman to a 10th floor luxury high-rise. Occasionally management will try and pass the expense on to the old tenant, even when damage is not beyond usual wear and tear, even tho they fully intend to replace the carpet as standard practice. This is probably not the case at you place, but just sayin'. That scam does happen.

This is the way I remember the deposit break down but it has been a few years since I rented so maybe someone will chime in with more current info.

The non-refundable pet dep: Cannot be applied toward damages. It's merely for the privilege of having a pet. Ditto for the 20th century's invention of 'pet rent'.

Refundable pet dep: Should and can be used against damage beyond usual wear and tear. Let's say your kid damaged something but your pet was totally innocent...the 'pet' dep can still be used to offset that cost.

Standard refundable dep: Should and can be used against damage, general or otherwise.

Based on my math, you have a $400 credit toward damages. Won't go far on an entire carpet and new padding. LOL, if someone's just really messy with their red wine I don't think most apts bother to replace the padding but urine is a whole different story. <this dog owner thanks the Lord for laminate floors>

Regardless, I'd insist on being present at the walk-thru so there's a meeting of the minds on all post-move charges. That's how I did it before surrendering the keys. Some complexes wait a few days after move out to do their inspections... but no one likes surprises or a misunderstanding on how the deposits will be applied.

[jaime_mac]

I recently moved from an apartment where I had carpet in just the bedroom that was covered in dog accident stains. Surprisingly I got a refund deposit check in the mail for $70 a couple of weeks later. I let the apartment know that they would most likely have to replace the carpet because I didn't think cleaning it would get the stains out and as far as I'm aware anytime a pet is living in an apartment the management company is required to change the carpets whether there are stains on them or not. It's a health issue, especially if someone moves in after you that has allergies to the particular animal that was living there. I would just give them a heads up but I wouldn't go into detail about it and prepare yourself for a bill in the mail.

[andyATMcandy]

The only positive thing is that we're the first people to live in this unit, as it's brand new. Perhaps the complex will keep this in mind when doing the inspection upon move out and think to hold off on replacing the carpet. It's not stained because we clean it thoroughly... but it's just impossible to completely remove urine especially if they do a black light test.

I'm just going to have the mindset that I'm replacing it all... so any news I'll receive should be good news from there like only replacing one room, not having to replace any of it, etc... (knock on wood)

[kreeyax]

Couldn't you just walk away and lose the $600? Seems like it would be cheaper than replacing the carpet.

[jaime_mac]

Originally Posted by andyATMcandy

The only positive thing is that we're the first people to live in this unit, as it's brand new. Perhaps the complex will keep this in mind when doing the inspection upon move out and think to hold off on replacing the carpet. It's not stained because we clean it thoroughly... but it's just impossible to completely remove urine especially if they do a black light test.

I'm just going to have the mindset that I'm replacing it all... so any news I'll receive should be good news from there like only replacing one room, not having to replace any of it, etc... (knock on wood)

That's kind of how I left my last apartment, granted I only had carpet in the bedroom, but I was positive I was never going to see any of the pet deposit. To my surprise I got a small check in the mail from them when I was expecting a bill.