Why the "Non-Refundable Deposits"? They're FEES!

Why the "Non-Refundable Deposits"? They're FEES! by Franklin (TN) on July 12, 2012 @09:14

Reading about this jerk who charges a "non-refundable" pet deposit gets me worked up, I'm sorry. It's a pet fee! Call it what it is. A deposit in the rental industry implies, that like in a security deposit, we hold that money for damages and unpaid rent (in some states) at the end of a tenant's residency. This "non-refundable" pet deposit is not held for anything. It's deposited in the landlord's checking account. If the pet does more damage than the "deposit", he still treats it like a deposit and charges the tenant for the amount above and beyond I'm supposing. If the pet does less damage than the "deposit", he just pockets it. It's like you're spending more than $25 on janky pet cleaning supplies blotting stains on the carpets anyways. And oh no! A dog dug a hole or 2? That costs hundreds of dollars to fix.

If you want to charge a FEE for a pet, be up front about it in your lease, before anything is signed for the place, and call it a fee. Add it to your rent, do something that does not imply it's a "deposit", because it's not. It's you being greedy. Some tenants are fine with that and will sign on the dotted line. Not the way I'd do business, but the way you do it, which is totally fine as long as you have two willing parties. As long as you don't try to dress up your fee as a deposit.

How do I do it? I take the actual damages from the pet out of the freaking SECURITY DEPOSIT! Strange, I know. If the damages are above what the security deposit was, I charge my tenants in accordance with TN laws. Strange, I know.

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Re: Why the by Micah on July 12, 2012 @09:51	[ Reply ]

Smart people call them pet fees because then you are not expected to refund it. A deposit is technically refundable by definition. As for costs associated with pets. There is damage to walls, doors, & window sills from pets scratching at them. There is scrubbing down all the walls from dog height down because they always brush up against or lean against them and leave streaks. There is the pet dander and odor issue to deal with as well. Pet owners (myself included) get used to it, but someone who does not have pets or has allergies to them will walk right out if they smell it. Personally, I just charge pet rent to cover it all instead of a one time pet fee. The longer a pet is there, the more damage it will do. PS, urinating indoors on the carpeting IS a big deal. How would you feel if someone came over and peed on your carpet?

Re: Why the

Re: Why the "Non-Refundable Deposits"? They're FEES! by Jake on July 12, 2012 @09:54	[ Reply ]

"This "non-refundable" pet deposit is not held for anything. He just pockets it." It looks like you have the big picture on the "non-refundable" pet deposit. It is pocket picking. No way to get around it. When you press landlords hard enough they will admit that they charge it simply because they can.

Re: Why the "Non-Refundable Deposits"? They're FEES!

Re: Why the by Micah on July 12, 2012 @09:56	[ Reply ]

Smart people call them pet fees because then you are not expected to refund it. A deposit is technically refundable by definition. As for costs associated with pets. There is damage to walls, doors, & window sills from pets scratching at them. There is scrubbing down all the walls from dog height down because they always brush up against or lean against them and leave streaks. There is the pet dander and odor issue to deal with as well. Pet owners (myself included) get used to it, but someone who does not have pets or has allergies to them will walk right out if they smell it. Personally, I just charge pet rent to cover it all instead of a one time pet fee. The longer a pet is there, the more damage it will do. PS, urinating indoors on the carpeting IS a big deal. How would you feel if someone came over and peed on your carpet?

Re: Why the by Micah on July 12, 2012 @09:56	[ Reply ]

Smart people call them pet fees because then you are not expected to refund it. A deposit is technically refundable by definition. As for costs associated with pets. There is damage to walls, doors, & window sills from pets scratching at them. There is scrubbing down all the walls from dog height down because they always brush up against or lean against them and leave streaks. There is the pet dander and odor issue to deal with as well. Pet owners (myself included) get used to it, but someone who does not have pets or has allergies to them will walk right out if they smell it. Personally, I just charge pet rent to cover it all instead of a one time pet fee. The longer a pet is there, the more damage it will do. PS, urinating indoors on the carpeting IS a big deal. How would you feel if someone came over and peed on your carpet?

Re: Why the "Non-Refundable Deposits"? They're FEES! by Eloise on July 12, 2012 @10:39	[ Reply ]

I was going to reply explaining why I charge a Pet FEE when I rent, it's a $150.00 fee that I use in case the SD is not enough to cover the damages the pet does {all my Tenants have luckily been great pet owners} and I also use that money for a round of pest control and yard clean up. That's all I use it for. I've only had 3 tenants, gave the full deposit back, used the $150.00 they gave me for the yard and pest control, the second ones did not have a pet, but the SD was not enough for the damages. And I already know these current T's, the $150.00 will be useful. BUT This got me thinking about the times I've paid myself "pet deposits" and .... it makes me MAD. I have never, ever, been refunded for a pet deposit, never ever been added to my SD settlement either .... not in SFH rentals, and not in apartment complexes. And it's been a LOT. So, yes, like Jake said, pickpocket the T's is the best way to define it. I think that charging for RENT for a pet, is actually a good thing, I think it promotes responsible ownership, I don't think you should have a pet if you can not afford the cost of having it. Maybe a grey area, but I like Mica's thinking. I don't do it myself, I think it would make it even harder to find a tenant in my market but I think it is a splendid idea if you can do it. But next time, just charging an extra $$$ for actual deposit, if you think the original SD won't be enough, should be sufficient!

Re: Why the "Non-Refundable Deposits"? They're FEES!

Re: Why the "Non-Refundable Deposits"? They're FEES! by Lola on July 12, 2012 @10:44	[ Reply ]

The purpose of the non refundable deposit..or fee..whatever you want to call it...i dont have an interest in debating semantics....is to compensate the LL for the increased risk he or she assumes. No point in evoking the standard deposit for this discussion.

Re: Why the "Non-Refundable Deposits"? They're FEES!

Re: Why the

Re: Why the "Non-Refundable Deposits"? They're FEES!

Re: Why the by NY-LL on July 12, 2012 @11:44	[ Reply ]

We prefer not have pets on the premises and charge twenty-five ($25.00) dollars additional per month for cats/birds/reptiles and fifty ($50.00) dollars additional per month for dogs/fish (aquariums), for exceptionally qualified tenants, on a case-by-case basis. The non-refundable pet fee is intended to manage the inevitable cleanup associated with pet occupancy, including embedded odors, permanent stains, structural damage, etc. Take into consideration that a new tenant occupant may experience allergies due to the presence of pets from the prior tenant. In addition, certain breeds of animals require additional property insurance coverage. The responsible pet owners appreciate the current well-maintained condition of the premises and understand the additional monthly charge. (Most irresponsible pet owners exclude themselves from consideration because of the monthly pet charges.) Now, consider that certain states only allows landlords to collect a maximum security deposit of one months rent, and excessive tenant damages combined with permanent pet damages to an inexpensive apartment cannot be managed with a minimal security deposit. In light of the potential risks, the non-refundable pet fee is minor in comparison to the cost of pet damage expenses.

Re: Why the

Re: Why the "Non-Refundable Deposits"? They're FEES! by Anonymous on July 12, 2012 @12:21	[ Reply ]

Having pets is like having kids in the regard that you can expect to incur added expense. Get over it already. I don't charge pet fees as I simply increase the standard deposit to compensate for the added potential of damage. As an aside, I'm also a renter and recently went to view a nice condo as I'm currently looking for a new residence. While the current tenant is fairly tidy and clean, the place stinks like their dog. Ya know what? I'm going to pass this one over because I doubt the landlord will be able to get rid of the smell after they move out (short of replacing all of the carpet, which the LL has not I indicated plans for).

Re: Why the "Non-Refundable Deposits"? They're FEES!

Re: Why the "Non-Refundable Deposits"? They're FEES! by K (FL) on July 12, 2012 @16:15	[ Reply ]

The short list of the damage a dog did to my property (after I said NO PETS). Dug LARGE holes under the foundation Ruined the lawn, had to be resod and watered in Destroyed every indoor handle in the house. Perhaps they tied him to it? Destroyed (by ripping) the brand new carpet Stained the grout on the tile floors Line of dirt on the interior walls at dog height throughout the house Place stinks of dirty ol dog Each offense was very much more than $25.00 to correct As for the security deposit, the human trash blew through that. Broken windows, cracked tiles, painted a room DARK red and splattered that paint on the kitchen cabinets, stains on walls that still leak through several coats of Kilz, primer, and paint. Destroyed 13 10+ year old fruit trees. Cost a couple hundred to get the yard trash hauled away, the lean-to against the house torn down and hauled away, the cleaning of the interior and the cracked glass shower door replaced. The pet deposit if for the 4-legged animal and security is for the 2-legged ones.

Re: Why the "Non-Refundable Deposits"? They're FEES!