I have done a lot of residential work over the years a lot of sales work a lot of things where I’ve been in a lot of people’s houses. Nothing smells worse than a person with cats who even goes a week or two without taking care of their litter box. And that smells sticks in everything. I have pets and I agree that a pet deposit is something needed because damn they do a lot of damage.
The deposit is for the damage you expect done by the human.
The pet deposit is for the damage you expect done by the pet in excess of the human.
I don’t begrudge any of this on its face. Where I have issue is landlords to refuse to give the deposit back, regardless of the condition of the unit after you leave.
But why am I paying a monthly cat fee on top of a one time “non-refundable pet deposit”.
Because if you can’t find a landlord with more generous terms.
The pet deposit is for the damage you expect done by the pet in excess of the human.
Sure, I agree with charging a separate pet deposit. But a lot of times it’s just a fee being called a “non-refundable deposit”.
Because if you can’t find a landlord with more generous terms.
At least in my area, it just seems like a standard charge apartments do now. If anything, corporate rental properties seem to be charging these fees more than landlords. Private landlords either say no pets or just have a larger deposit. Which indicates that it’s about generating additional revenue for these corporations, not purely covering pet damage.
I have done a lot of residential work over the years a lot of sales work a lot of things where I’ve been in a lot of people’s houses. Nothing smells worse than a person with cats who even goes a week or two without taking care of their litter box. And that smells sticks in everything. I have pets and I agree that a pet deposit is something needed because damn they do a lot of damage.
But isn’t that literally what the deposit is for? You don’t just assume someone will have excess damage when renting.
And sure, have a higher deposit for pet owners. But why am I paying a monthly cat fee on top of a one time “non-refundable pet deposit”.
The deposit is for the damage you expect done by the human.
The pet deposit is for the damage you expect done by the pet in excess of the human.
I don’t begrudge any of this on its face. Where I have issue is landlords to refuse to give the deposit back, regardless of the condition of the unit after you leave.
Because if you can’t find a landlord with more generous terms.
Sure, I agree with charging a separate pet deposit. But a lot of times it’s just a fee being called a “non-refundable deposit”.
At least in my area, it just seems like a standard charge apartments do now. If anything, corporate rental properties seem to be charging these fees more than landlords. Private landlords either say no pets or just have a larger deposit. Which indicates that it’s about generating additional revenue for these corporations, not purely covering pet damage.
How do you go a week without cleaning the litter box?!?
Having said that, my cats do do a fair amount of damage to the carpet and some doors with their claws, so an extra fee makes sense.
They also do a fair amount of damage to furniture; but that generally isn’t the landlords.
A lot of times it’s due to a disability or a mental illness