Where does my pet deposit go for my apartment?

Question

I got my puppy a year ago today. (Dayton, Ohio)

My apartment complex rules state you have to pay a $175 deposit and an extra $20 a month added onto my rent.

What does that go towards?

My dog chewed up little spots in the carpet .. does the depsoit + what i've payed extra a month go towards that bill??

Always wondered where it goes =)

Answer 1

In most cases the "pet deposit" is just lumped in with all other deposit monies against all damage to the unit. If your pet causes no damage but you spill a gallon of paint on the carpet, don't expect the landlord to return the pet deposit unless the other deposit money is sufficient to cover the damages.

The extra monthly rent does NOT go towards damage caused by the pet. If anything, it's used to pay the extra insurance charges common if the landlord allows pets.

I use to charge a $250 pet deposit, $25 per month extra rent, and a $150 non-refundable de-flea charge to allow pets. The extra rent went straight to my insurance company as I got a $300 per year break on insurance by barring pets. The extra deposit went in with the rest of the deposit monies and the $150 went straight to the exterminator for the flea treatment and the 2 or 3 days the unit had to stand empty after treatment.

Answer 2

Hi,
Your pet deposit covers any damage and cleaning that your pet may cause. The holes you mentioned in your question will cost much much more than the deposit you give each month. This is why Landlord or Maintenance Co's charge the fees. As a Landlord I do not allow pets for this very reason. The damage done by animals is far greater then the deposits that are taken. New carpet will far exceed the amount you are paying. Also, pets can scratch doors and door casings when they want to be let out to do their business. I have old Victorian Apartment buildings, and the cost to replace a solid 100+ year old door could run into the $300 to $500.00 dollar range for just one door. Some moldings have to be custom milled because the patterns are so old they are no longer made. These are the reason these fees are charged. I hope this helped answer your question.

Answer 3

Yes, that is exactly where your pet deposit goes. Pet deposits are charged to cover damages caused by the pet. Sometimes, little things end up being much larger things than they look. For example, a person has a cat. The cat decides to pee on the carpet while the pet owner is away for the weekend. The owner comes home, sees a discoloration on the carpet and tries to clean it up themselves. Spot looks better and they forget about it. Tenant moves out, and the landlord comes in and can smell the urine. The carpets are cleaned and the urine odor is still there. The carpet sometimes has to be replaced. Sometimes they pull it up and replace the padding underneath and put the carpet back down.

Answer 4

yes, the added deposit is a security depoit for whatever u pet might damage. Dogs can scratch the doors when wanting to be let out, make accidnets on the carpet, cats like scratch their claws on carpeting. so having the additional security is for the landlords benefits. Adding extra money to your monthly rent does not seem legal though, unless u agree to it and resign a new lease.