Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    bkrayenh's Avatar
    bkrayenh Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Apr 16, 2008, 04:10 PM
    Can pet deposits be legally non-refundable in Iowa?
    I paid a pet deposit along with my security deposit prior to moving into my apartment. I ended up not having my dog in the apartment but for 4 days before I realized I could not financially and physically care for him anymore. My landlord said he would "look into" returning the deposit, then completely ignored the issue. I have read in a lot of places that there is no such thing as "non-refundable" deposits, regardless of what the lease says. Also, the deposit was handwritten in on the lease. Please help me!
    bkrayenh
    excon's Avatar
    excon Posts: 21,482, Reputation: 2992
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Apr 17, 2008, 04:45 AM
    Hello b:

    They can keep your rental "deposit" because you didn't move in. It's NOT a damage deposit. If it was, they couldn't keep it because you caused no damage.

    Same thing with the pet deposit. You never moved in, therefore your dog caused NO damage.

    Sue him in small claims court. It's cheap, quick and easy.

    excon
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Apr 17, 2008, 05:43 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by bkrayenh
    I paid a pet deposit along with my security deposit prior to moving into my apartment. I ended up not having my dog in the apartment but for 4 days before I realized I could not financially and physically care for him anymore. My landlord said he would "look into" returning the deposit, then completely ignored the issue. I have read in a lot of places that there is no such thing as "non-refundable" deposits, regardless of what the lease says. Also, the deposit was handwritten in on the lease. Please help me!
    bkrayenh

    It is not unusual for all deposits - security and pet - to be paid at the END of the tenancy. This keeps the tenant from moving one dog out and another dog in and going through the pet deposit hassle all over again. If I have a pet friendly unit I charge a pet deposit whether they have one or not because they have the ability to get one.

    I think the landlord can hold the pet deposit until the end of the lease.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Security Deposit? Refundable? [ 8 Answers ]

Hi, I live in NY around the albany area. Recently, I paid what I was told was a security deposit. However, the receipt was signed as deposit. Anyway, I chose to move out of that location after living in this terrible place for 11 days (place was run down, mice poop in my dishes, broken windows,...

Security deposits/pet deposits - Texas tenant law [ 3 Answers ]

Hi, This involves a lease that went month to month and verbal agreements. During tenants stay, they broke several personal items (sculptures, fountain) on the property and brought in a second dog. In the written lease, there is nothing abuot pets. I gave them erbal permission to have one...

Refundable security deposit? [ 1 Answers ]

My husband and I went to Georgia to find a house. When we found one we wrote them a check for the security deposit, and the application fee. They agent told us that he would work on the lease agreement the next day and have it emailed to us within 2 days. Well about a week went by and we didn't get...

Non-refundable Security Deposit [ 3 Answers ]

Due to a promotion at work, I was moving to a new city. I found a place to live and gave them a security deposit. Things went south with the job and I never moved. I never signed a lease with the landlord, however, I did sign a document of all the rules of the community. On that document was a...

PA non refundable deposit [ 1 Answers ]

My landlord is trying to charge me a non-refundable pet deposit. I read that it is illegal in PA to charge a non-refundable deposit. My original lease stated I was allowed a cat/dog no bigger than 40lbs. And there was no mention of a pet deposit or a pet fee per month. Thanks, Matt

View more questions Search