persimmoncf
Persimmon Creek Farm
What do you pay?...And is it refundable?
Renters Pet deposit...
- Thread starter persimmoncf
- Start date
Ladybug76
**********
I didn't charge a pet deposit the first time I rented out my house and it was a big mistake! Cat urine on the carpet, etc. I always require a pet deposit of $500 (refundable) now. Also, if your renters have a dog, please make sure you find out the breed ahead of time. My homeowners insurance does not cover Pit Bulls. I had a really nice lady that I couldn't rent to because my insurance would not cover that type of dog. I think Chow's were also on the list.
We are renting a house here and paid $500 (refundable) for our pet deposit.
showqueen74
New Member
MD is the only place that I've paid a pet deposit, (then again I don't think I claimed pets in WA either?) 250, or 500, refundable, and an extra 20 a month.
mv_princess
mv = margaritaville
So you paid 500 up front, and then put out an extra 20 a month?
godsbutterfly
Free to Fly
At my apartment I paid $150.00 per animal period. I had a cat and a small dog. I got my money back when I moved out.
Ponytail
New Member
We either charge a $500 non-refundable, or charge an extra $100/month for rent depends on the property.
If you have a dog or cat, or any animal that is not primarlily a caged animal, the carpets take a beating. Period. If you are lucky, that is all that takes a beating. That $500 won't cover carpet replacement as is usually the norm after renters with pets move out. It's a give/take situation and as owners, we hope for the best, but expect the worst.
If you have a dog or cat, or any animal that is not primarlily a caged animal, the carpets take a beating. Period. If you are lucky, that is all that takes a beating. That $500 won't cover carpet replacement as is usually the norm after renters with pets move out. It's a give/take situation and as owners, we hope for the best, but expect the worst.
butterfly08
New Member
I am lucky not to have to pay a deposit for my pets. I got my cats after we moved in, and suprisingly my landlord didn't ask for more money. I just have to make sure they don't ruin the house.
Cletus_Vandam
New Member
I posted a similar thread yesterday regarding the "pet deposit" issue. I happened to find this thread today.
I have a question regarding PT's post.... I agree that $500 won't cover carpet replacement, but don't most rentals also require a full one-month deposit also. Those two deposits together should certainly replace the carpet.
I just think making a "deposit" non-refundable goes totally against the definition of what a deposit is. If it isn't refundable, it's a fee; not a deposit. The only "deposit" that goes on when something is non-refundable is the owner depositing your money in his bank account to spend on whatever he wants....
ljcwebster
New Member
I didn't have to pay an additional upfront pet deposit, but pay $25 per month for my cat. I rent an apartment in a house converted to 4 units, so rules are a bit more informal and the landlord didn't mind my 10 year old cat.
TurboK9
New Member
From a pet owning renter here- $250 - $500 is normal.
Yes definitely charge a pet deposit. The home we are renting now, I didn't pay an additional pet deposit, but only because I asked the landlord NOT to put in new carpet when we moved in, LOL. The old one wasn't THAT bad and I'd ratehr not buy carpet after a couple years.
My dogs are very highly trained, do not chew on the house, do not poop of pee in the house unless very sick in which case I have a carpet cleaner/shampooer, they don't tear the place up. But just the nature of going in and out at least 3X a day in all weather will wreck the carpets in a couple years to the point where you will want to replace them. I don't care how good a dog is, the carpet's toast!
Do yourself a favor as well... never assume that small dogs are less destructive. All things considered, small dogs are far more apt to have 'accidents' in the house, and over time the... damage... really adds up!
When I managed property down in FL a few years back, I always made the prospective tenant bring the dog(s) before signing the lease. If they were not acceptably social and under control, no deal. How well behaved the dog is goes a long way toward estimating potential damages
.
Yes definitely charge a pet deposit. The home we are renting now, I didn't pay an additional pet deposit, but only because I asked the landlord NOT to put in new carpet when we moved in, LOL. The old one wasn't THAT bad and I'd ratehr not buy carpet after a couple years.
My dogs are very highly trained, do not chew on the house, do not poop of pee in the house unless very sick in which case I have a carpet cleaner/shampooer, they don't tear the place up. But just the nature of going in and out at least 3X a day in all weather will wreck the carpets in a couple years to the point where you will want to replace them. I don't care how good a dog is, the carpet's toast!
Do yourself a favor as well... never assume that small dogs are less destructive. All things considered, small dogs are far more apt to have 'accidents' in the house, and over time the... damage... really adds up!
When I managed property down in FL a few years back, I always made the prospective tenant bring the dog(s) before signing the lease. If they were not acceptably social and under control, no deal. How well behaved the dog is goes a long way toward estimating potential damages
.
Cletus_Vandam
New Member
You are expressing that exact point of view that I have on the topic.
A deposit is a form of insurance against an act of negligence, abuse, or accident. In the form of a pet deposit, that might be ruined carpets, chewed door frame, scratched door, etc. If none of that occurs, then the deposit should be refunded.
Anything that is negotiated as "non-refundable" prior to initiating the lease, should be a described as a "fee", or some other description.
smilin
BOXER NATION
From a pet owning renter here- $250 - $500 is normal.
Yes definitely charge a pet deposit. The home we are renting now, I didn't pay an additional pet deposit, but only because I asked the landlord NOT to put in new carpet when we moved in, LOL. The old one wasn't THAT bad and I'd ratehr not buy carpet after a couple years.
My dogs are very highly trained, do not chew on the house, do not poop of pee in the house unless very sick in which case I have a carpet cleaner/shampooer, they don't tear the place up. But just the nature of going in and out at least 3X a day in all weather will wreck the carpets in a couple years to the point where you will want to replace them. I don't care how good a dog is, the carpet's toast!
Do yourself a favor as well... never assume that small dogs are less destructive. All things considered, small dogs are far more apt to have 'accidents' in the house, and over time the... damage... really adds up!
When I managed property down in FL a few years back, I always made the prospective tenant bring the dog(s) before signing the lease. If they were not acceptably social and under control, no deal. How well behaved the dog is goes a long way toward estimating potential damages
Good post. The damage does indeed add up. Cat? I don't think so. One cat cost me $1500 in damages in a rental we owned. Bet you didn't know cat pee disintegrates concrete! A hidden WMD for any landlord.
Maryland law stipulates that a deposit has to be held in a separate account, earning interest, which will be returned after damages are assessed. These damages do not include 'normal' wear and tear.
Using this definition, a "non-refundable deposit" can't exist so it should be called a pet fee. Just as some landlords insist on a: cleaning, de-fleaing etc. fee.
Cletus_Vandam
New Member
smilin
BOXER NATION
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Ponytail
New Member
$500, non-refundable is held in a seperate non-interest bearing account for use upon the leasee vacating the premisis. As for determining damage caused by the pet, I have never heard of a non-caged pet NOT damaging the house beyond normal wear and tear. So to offer a refundable pet deposit is ridiculous, because it would never be refunded.
You have to consider the added carpet/laminate wear, dirt, and smell that normal cleaning do not take out. Add the oil stains on the walls, doors and baseboards from the pets laying around, the added dust and hair that sticks to the walls and ceilings, fans (Ceiling fans, blowers, exhaust fans, etc).
For home rentals, you have to also consider the damage to lawns at a minimum for renters with dogs, and flower beds if renter has cats (but he's an indoor cat... which brings me back to the smell).
How many more times do the doors get opened and closed for people with pets? It IS a big deal...rollers on sliders get gummed up with dust and hair, knobsets and latches typically have to get replaced because they are worn.
Woodwork around doors and windows almost always get chewed and/or scratched to hell and require replacing. If the doors are wood, forget it.
Got a screen door on that place, plan on replacing that as well.
I know, I know...not YOUR pet...
You have to consider the added carpet/laminate wear, dirt, and smell that normal cleaning do not take out. Add the oil stains on the walls, doors and baseboards from the pets laying around, the added dust and hair that sticks to the walls and ceilings, fans (Ceiling fans, blowers, exhaust fans, etc).
For home rentals, you have to also consider the damage to lawns at a minimum for renters with dogs, and flower beds if renter has cats (but he's an indoor cat...
which brings me back to the smell). How many more times do the doors get opened and closed for people with pets? It IS a big deal...rollers on sliders get gummed up with dust and hair, knobsets and latches typically have to get replaced because they are worn.
Woodwork around doors and windows almost always get chewed and/or scratched to hell and require replacing. If the doors are wood, forget it.
Got a screen door on that place, plan on replacing that as well.
I know, I know...not YOUR pet...
Cowgirl
Well-Known Member
I know it might be a hard concept to grasp, but there are many pet owners out there who don't let their pets damage property. :shrug: And kids will ruin houses much quicker than pets in many cases.
I have found that people in So. MD are much quicker to rent to pet owners than people on the Shore. It's rare to find a place over here at allows pets. I especially love the "house on farm for rent....no pets allowed" ads.
sockgirl77
Well-Known Member
Check the wording in your lease. I'm pretty sure that Wildewood has enough rental experience to know how to exactly and legally word things.