I paid a pet deposit + $25/mo for 58 months for pet fee. Does that $ offset carpet replacement costs.?

Question

I moved into an apartment alomst five years ago. The prior owner had pets (I could smell it when I walked in). My cat then sprayed to mark the territory of the prior pets. I think that the carpet on the main floor will need to be replaced (it is a small townhome - this is living room area). Question is - what is the carpet life for the average apartment. Also, if I paid a pet deposit and $25 extra per month for 58 months, should that money not count toward theses costs? If not - what is the $25/month for?

Answer 1

The deposit will go towards the replacement. The $25 a month, is just a rip off to get more money from you.  If you paid a pet deposit. you shouldn't be paying monthly.

Your best bet is to rent a carpet cleaner from Albertsons or Wal-Mart and get the pet cleaner.  Clean the carpets yourself and it should cost you around $60 ($40 for the rental and $20 for the cleaner).  Then try a pet odor carpet powder to try and get any leftover smell out.  The carpet should look great and hopefully your cat will stop marking.  I used the cleaner each time my puppies were potty trained and you can't tell.

Answer 2

I had a chat with the legal office on base...turns out it's illegal to charge both a deposit AND pet rent...so they got you (don't feel bad, my first town home got me too.)  If you point that out though, they just raise one or the other.

Anyway, the deposit is basically insurance to cover any damages done.  That is the smartest way to go so that you pay a set fee, but your pet can actually do damage that costs more than the deposit...and you still won't owe anything.

Personally, if I wouldn't have signed the lease until they put down on paper that they would replace the carpet if I got a whiff of pets from the prior owners.  They should be replacing the carpet when you move out...five + years is a long time for complexes to go with old carpet, particularly in pet friendly ones.  And no, you shouldn't have to pay for ANY damages done with all that money you have shelled out.  Just watch it, because they'll try it anyway.  Be present for that move-out inspection.