Re: Pet Deposit, How Much - Landlord Forum thread 255131

Re: Pet Deposit, How Much by Anonymous (NC) on May 10, 2012 @14:43

I liked this post until you said to require cats to be de-clawed. I have 7 cats. One is de-clawed (I was ten at the time and didn't have any say in it), the rest aren't. I don't have ANY problem with them scratching furniture or carpet. If the owner provides enough places for the cat to scratch (I have a floor to ceiling cat tree, three shelves I built and applied carpet tiles, two small scratching posts, and two scratchers that hang on the door knobs - this is because of the number of cats, so the average person with one or two cats could probably be fine with just a few scratchers), then the cats will behave.

De-clawing is actually the amputation of the toes and "Unlike most mammals who walk on the soles of the paws or feet, cats are digitigrade, which means they walk on their toes. Their back, shoulder, paw and leg joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves are naturally designed to support and distribute the cat's weight across its toes as it walks, runs and climbs."

This means that declawing will ALWAYS cause severe pain in the joints and muscles. It also contributes to behavior problems in cats. It makes them more aggressive and more likely to mark their territory by spraying - male or female, altered or not. It also makes them more likely to bite. My cat who is de-clawed is the ONLY one who bites - not often, but still. And sadly you can see that she does have a lot of joint pain and doesn't want certain areas pet because of it.

I'm not saying my cats have never misbehaved. They certainly have. But it was always my own fault for not knowing enough to properly care for them. Even vets are not behavior specialists. They can only really rule out medical issues.

Whatever you do DON'T de-claw (in many countries it is illegal, as it should be - it is mutilation). And DON'T require tenants to.

I'd say, have a pet deposit that is refundable (at least partially). If damage exceeds the deposit, go to court like you would for people without pets. Otherwise you're risking people abandoning pets or sneaking them (I know I would sneak my pets if I had to because I'm NOT going abandon them. I'd risk eviction before giving up my cats.) As a landlord I think you're better off allowing pets with a refundable deposit. I find it far more unethical to abandon a pet than to sneak it. I have no problem pay for damages, but to disallow pets completely or charge ridiculous amounts that cannot be refunded is annoying for renters trying to find a place. I know I can't afford a $300 non-refundable deposit, PLUS $40 PER PET every month. That's just crazy. I'd rather sneak them for a while and if they find out then I'll say I got rid of them, but really take them to a friend's for a bit.

Sorry if it makes landlords mad, but that's how it is. If they charged a reasonable deposit then everything would be fine and I'd be straight forward with them. But NO ONE charges a reasonable, refundable deposit without charging a monthly per pet fee and reasonable rent and security deposit. If I was an owner renting a place out that's what I would do because I would not want to be responsible for an animal being killed because I was being greedy.

Also, I totally disagree with spraying with pesticides. This wrecks havoc on our farms and water. I don't want to drink insecticides. When I flea treat I use Advantage or Frontline. It's expensive, but works great. Two of my cats are pure white and I haven't seen a flea on them since I started using these flea products because it kills fleas, eggs, and larvae unlike many that only kills fleas. Heartworm prevention is mainly only important if your pet goes outside or you live in an area with a lot of mosquitoes. I know in NC I have to flea treat all year, but in MD if it's a normal winter you don't need to treat if you did during warmer months.

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Re: Pet Deposit, How Much by landlord (CA) on June 16, 2013 @14:29	[ Reply ]

To all tenants. When you buy a place you can do what you want. When you rent something that does not belong to you, either go with the program or sleep in your car. As a landlord I don't owe you anything. If "you're" an animal lover and would rather sleep in the streets than give your animal to a shelter, enjoy the pavement. It's your decision. Don't say you would rather sleep in the streets than give up you cat, but then complain that you don't want to sleep in the street. The problem is that foolish animal lovers, like smokers, or drinkers, want the world to support their pathetic habits. As long as the market will bear a fair price for my rental unit, you will always be out a large pet deposist. Forcing me to take you to court is a sucker bet. The same immature animal lover that rather go to court, is the same immature adult that never appears at court dates, or makes any effort to clean up after their animals. Their goal is to defer the costs to a future date and then skip town. That's why theu don't want an upfront pet deposit. I've been renting for over 20 years. NO PETS ALLOWED! WHEN YOU SIGN MY CONTRACT, IF A PET IS IN THE HOUSE (YOURS OR NOT) YOU WILL BE EVICTED WITHIN 21 DAYS.

Re: Pet Deposit, How Much by Anonymous (Oklahoma) on June 25, 2013 @20:57	[ Reply ]

Landlord, There are some instances where you will be FORCED to deal with a pet on your property. May it be a service animal or a companion animal. If you attempt to charge a tenant any sort of deposit on these kind of animals or attempt to deny them their animal or housing the DISCRIMINATION against a DISABILITY law suit you will recive will make you hurt for YEARS to come. Trust me any little old lady can get a companion animal based on it makes her feel safe. Have a nice day. Calm down. Deal with the fact that you could have pets in your places.