You’ve had an amazing stay at your rental. You’ve enjoyed all the city has to offer, made new friends and memories, and now it’s time to take your adventures to a new destination. As you’re packing up, you move the couch cushion and realize that your furry friend had an accident–and it’s not recent.
It’s seeped deep into the fabric months ago and you frantically start trying to find your lease agreement to see if your security deposit is now at stake.
What is Considered Pet Damage in a Lease Agreement?
As a pet owner, it’s important to understand what’s considered pet damage in a lease agreement. This will help protect yourself from unplanned financial losses.
What is Pet Damage?
Pet damage is any damage to a rental property that’s caused by a pet. This can include damage to the floors, walls, furniture, appliances, and other property.
Some common examples of pet damage include:
- Scratches and dents to the floors and walls
- Chewed furniture
- Urine and feces stains
- Broken appliances
- Odor damage
What is Not Considered Pet Damage?
Not all damage caused by a pet is considered pet damage. For example, damage that’s caused by normal wear and tear isn’t considered pet damage.
Some common examples of damage that is not considered pet damage include:
- Fading of paint
- Normal wear and tear on carpets
- Chipped tiles
- Small holes in drywall
What Does a Lease Agreement Say About Pet Damage?
Most lease agreements have a section that addresses pet damage. This section will typically specify what types of damage are considered pet damage and what the tenant’s responsibilities are for repairing such damage.
The lease agreement may also specify the amount of the pet deposit, which is typically used to cover the cost of any pet damage.
How to Prevent Pet Damage
There are a number of things that tenants can do to prevent pet damage. Which are:
- Choose the right pet for your lifestyle. Some pets are more destructive than others. If you’re not home often, consider a pet that is more independent.
- Train your pet. Basic obedience training can go a long way in preventing pet damage. Make sure your pet knows how to sit, stay, and come when called. You should also train your pet not to chew on furniture or other household items.
- Provide plenty of exercise and stimulation. Bored pets are more likely to get into trouble. Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation every day. This will help to keep them from chewing on things or scratching furniture.
- Teach your pet to use a litter box because it prevents your pet from urinating or defecating on your floors.
- Supervise your pet at all times. This is essential when your pet is a puppy or kitten. Puppies and kittens are still learning, and they may not know what is and isn’t appropriate to chew on.
- Clean up accidents immediately. If your pet has an accident, clean it up immediately in order to prevent the odor from setting in.
- Inspect your rental property regularly for damage. This will helps to identify any problems early on. If you see any damage, either repair or report it to your landlord right away.
- Ensure that you have renters insurance. Renters insurance can help to cover the cost of pet damage to your rental property.
What to Do If Your Pet Causes Damage
If the damage caused by your pet to your rental property is beyond your ability to repair, it’s important to notify your landlord immediately. The landlord may be able to repair the damage themselves or they may hire a contractor to do it.
Your landlord may also charge you for the cost of repairs. The amount of the charge will depend on the extent of the damage and the cost of repairs.
Pet damage can be a costly problem for landlords. By understanding what is considered pet damage and what isn’t, tenants can protect themselves from financial losses.
Here are some additional tips for landlords and tenants on preventing or covering for pet damage:
Landlords:
- Be clear about your pet policy in the lease agreement
- Require tenants to pay a pet deposit and pet rent
- Conduct regular inspections of the rental property
- Notify tenants promptly of any damage caused by pets
Tenants:
- Train your pet to behave appropriately in the rental property.
- Place a pet bed in a designated area to help deter your pet from chewing on other furniture
- Use a pet gate to block off areas of your apartment
- Take steps to protect the property from damage, such as using floor protectors and furniture covers.
Where Can I Find An Easy Pet-friendly Rental?
You can sort most platforms online by whether they accept pets or not. Most of the rentals on the FLXlease platform actually accept pets, even at no additional cost! Simply set the filters to pet-friendly just to make sure.
There are hundreds of pet-friendly homes added every month, so be sure to check every time you’re looking for a new rental.
