Investor · St. Louis, MO · Member since 2019 · 55 posts · 18 votes
I have a tenant moving out, and the dogs tore up a lot of the grass in the front yard, so I will have to have that repaired. My understanding is that the cost for those repairs should come out of the tenant's security deposit, not the $200 non-refundable pet fee (not deposit!) charged up front. I also have this clause (thank you Brandon Turner!) in my Pet Addendum: "Tenant will perform regular housekeeping duties, including sweeping and vacuuming, clean up all waste, and assume all responsibility and cost for any damages, cleaning, replacements or any other expense to the property that are a result of the animal." So, am I correct about that, or not?
This is exactly how my pet fee works. The pet fee is an extra fee that is non refundable to cover the additional risk + "normal wear and tear" from having a pet in the home. Damages from said pet (or human) come out of the security deposit.
If carpets needed to be replaced due to wear/tear after a tenant with a pet lived there for a few years, I wouldn't charge that to the deposit. But if a dog ate the carpets then I would charge the security deposit.
@Hans M. Hi There! Pet fees and deposits are collected incase of damages made to the property that are not ordinary wear and tear. Normally the damages are to be collected from the deposit first and then the pet fee if needed. I hope that helps. Stay healthy! Amy
If it is a pet deposit, it pays towards damages (and is refundable). If it says "pet fee" in the lease and specifically says that it non-refundable, then it does not apply to damages.
I'd suspect the bill to repair the grass won't be very high, unless you have a professionally maintained and sodded lawn. Rake it smooth, reseed and spread some straw. Make sure it is watered over the next few weeks. That is the exact level of repair you would get from the utility company if they dig it up to work on the lines...