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Pet Deposit Refundable?

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SweetPea23

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? FL

Are pet deposits refundable? It doesn't say anywhere in our lease that it is non-refundable, yet our landlord insists it is. Its listed as a deposit with the security deposit, not as a fee or anything like that.
 


CraigFL

Member
Most security deposits/pet deposits can't be just kept for no reason at all. The LL would have to show "damages" and it would be offset by the deposit. Having said that and knowing how some people are allergic to pets and dislike pet odors, I would expect the deposit to cover a complete steam cleaning of the carpet minimum as well as repair costs for any other damages. It wouldn't be fair to the LL to have to do this extra cleaning to make the unit presentable just because you have a pet.
 

Mrs. D

Member
Unless the pet deposit is specified as non-refundable AND your state/county/city laws allow the collection of non-refundable fees, then it is refundable. However, I would not expect it to be refunded due to the extra cleaning often required after pet owners mentioned by Craig. Still, as a refundable deposit, your LL should give you an accounting of how it was used.
 

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