4 ms·
It's not just for existing. Pets can and do cause a lot of damage. They can urinate on the floors or walls, leaving odor that is very difficult to remove. They
by throwaway201103 6y ago
It's not just for existing. Pets can and do cause a lot of damage. They can urinate on the floors or walls, leaving odor that is very difficult to remove. They can chew up or scratch up doors, walls, floors. A pet can easily do thousands of dollars in damage in a one-year lease term. Of course not every pet does this but you don't know in advance.
On the other hand landlords compete for tenants. So they may want to allow pets but impose a surcharge for the potential damage.
- liuhenry 6y agoLogically, the "surcharge for potential damage" should be a security deposit, or fines and penalties against specific behavior. You'd have the same issues with tenants that were excessively noisy, or held parties and spilled alcohol in the hallways, or scratched doors/walls/floors from moving bikes, furniture, etc. So it seems inconsistent to apply the nonrefundable fee only to the case of pets.
- joegahona 6y agoYes exactly. Or toddlers, who cause much more damage than pets. Good luck charging people "toddler rent."
- lotsofpulp 6y agoI have 2 decades of experience in the hotel business, and pets cause much, much more damage than toddlers. The total of pet fees collected never made up for all the damage caused. And tons of people would lie about their animal being a service animal(s). With no shame, they would declare all 3 dogs they have service animals.
- 1123581321 6y agoToddlers predominantly damage fragile personal items. Pets damage walls, doors, floors and furniture. Additionally, pets, especially dogs, are capable of many times more destruction in a short amount of time.
- joegahona 6y ago“Fragile personal items” like houses: https://www.wndu.com/content/news/Dowagiac-house-fire-sparked-by-child-playing-with-lighter-571136231.html https://www.wndu.com/content/news/Dowagiac-house-fire-sparke... https://www.myarklamiss.com/louisiana-news/child-playing-with-lighter-causes-house-fire-in-scott/ https://www.myarklamiss.com/louisiana-news/child-playing-wit... https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jun/23/child-linked-to-blaze-that-destroyed-ala-apartment/ https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jun/23/child-linked-... https://www.fox13now.com/2015/07/25/fire-crews-respond-to-2-alarm-apartment-fire-in-taylorsville/ https://www.fox13now.com/2015/07/25/fire-crews-respond-to-2-... https://www.ajc.com/news/local/kids-playing-with-lighters-cause-fires-gwinnett-homes/HDw3MpAVwXQnT5P0IdSPxO/ https://www.ajc.com/news/local/kids-playing-with-lighters-ca...
- 1123581321 6y agoThose are obviously unusual stories. Catastrophic fire is covered by insurance. It is not factored into rent and security. Pets don’t make the news when they ruin dwelling places, as it is relatively common compared to that.