Itemized deduction and pet fee

[Arov Smith]

Are we required to provide usage split for 'non-refundable' pet cleaning fee as part of move out deduction. The tenant had given $500 refundable cleaning fee and $200 non-refundable pet cleaning fee. After move out, the tenant is asking to deduct any house cleaning (kitchen appliances, bathroom) charges from pet deposit first and then any remaining amount from refundable cleaning fee.

[Rosa Regier]

A Pet Fee and a Pet Deposit are 2 different things. There's no question that the 'non-refundable pet fee' is ever considered because you stated and they agreed that it was non-refundable. You use it for cleaning, carpet cleaning, deodorizing, de-fleaing, etc. You use all of it, period. Depending on the size of the rental property, you might not have enough $.

However, if this is a refundable pet deposit, then in TX it can be used to pay for any and all types of allowed deductions. You simply add it to the security deposit. If you collected a pet deposit of $200 (not a non-refundable pet cleaning fee) and a $500 security deposit, then you have $700 that can be used to pay for allowable and/or agreed upon deductions. Hope this helps