Pet Deposits Are Not a Cap on Your Liability
Many tenants mistakenly believe their pet deposit is all they can ever owe for pet-related damage. That is not how it works. The pet deposit is just one pool of funds available to the landlord. If your dog chews through baseboards costing $800 to repair and your pet deposit was $300, the landlord can take the remaining $500 from your security deposit.
What Qualifies as Pet Damage
- Urine stains and odors in carpet or subfloor
- Scratch marks on hardwood floors or doors
- Chewed baseboards, door frames, or trim
- Claw marks in walls or floors
- Flea infestations requiring professional treatment
What Is NOT Pet Damage
- Normal carpet wear in areas where a pet walked frequently
- Faint odor that clears with standard cleaning
- Light scratches on hard floors from normal pet movement
Important
Even for legitimate pet damage, depreciation still applies. Old carpet with pet odor cannot be charged at full brand-new replacement cost.
If Damages Exceed Both Deposits
If documented pet damage exceeds both your pet deposit and security deposit combined, your landlord can file a small claims lawsuit against you for the additional amount. Always get receipts and challenge any inflated or undocumented charges.