Pet Damage

Full Definition

Pet damage refers to harm to the rental property caused by a tenant's animal -- such as claw marks on floors or doors, chewed woodwork, urine stains in carpet or subfloor, and odor requiring professional treatment. A landlord may deduct pet damage from the security deposit even if they also collected a pet deposit. The pet deposit and the security deposit are both available to cover pet-related damage; if the cost of repair exceeds the combined deposits, the landlord can pursue the tenant for the remainder in court. The landlord must still follow all normal rules: document the damage with photographs, provide itemized receipts, account for depreciation of affected materials, and distinguish pet damage from normal wear. Importantly, assistance animals (service animals and ESAs under the Fair Housing Act) are exempt from pet deposits and pet fees, but tenants with assistance animals remain legally responsible for any actual damage their animal causes, just like any other tenant.