Apartment living

[southernbelle04]

We rent as well, but are fortunate enough to have plenty of grass around us. We had to pay a $200 non-refundable deposit for having a pet. I guess that covers the cleaning fee when we leave. Then I have to pay $25 per month on top of our rent for having a pet. Katie Scarlett is pad trained and it works great for us. It gets so cold here and I worry about taking her out in the cold and really windy weather we have. She will pee outside too though if we are out.

[sophias mommy]

Originally Posted by southernbelle04

We rent as well, but are fortunate enough to have plenty of grass around us. We had to pay a $200 non-refundable deposit for having a pet. I guess that covers the cleaning fee when we leave. Then I have to pay $25 per month on top of our rent for having a pet. Katie Scarlett is pad trained and it works great for us. It gets so cold here and I worry about taking her out in the cold and really windy weather we have. She will pee outside too though if we are out.

I'm worried about the cold and wind too! I'm not going to lie.... I'm concerned for Sophia's first snow!

[RileyDC]

I'm an in the back of the 5th floor of a building in DC. Riley is peepee pad trained and trained to go, outside. It works great for us. I have a doggie litter box with a peepee pad inside of it.

My building charged $500.00 nonrefundable "Per Pet" and then it is $20 extra a month. I had a schipperke that passed back in June of 2010. I got Riley in July of 2010 and because it is "per pet", I had to pay "another" $500.00 nonrefundable deposit. The management company actually contacted me asking for it. I thought that was ridiculous and it burned me up for a while!!

[brezofleur]

According to the LA Tenant and Landlord handbook (just do a google search), by law, all pet deposits MUST be refundable. However, if this is a pet FEE then it is not required. Do you remember if they said fee or deposit?

I would suggest googling the handbook and reading it just so you're familiar and don't get kneed in the end.


I also live in an apartment but I'm on the first floor. Is your balcony concrete? Wooden slates? What I've done is use something similar to the potty patch but it was left over "fake" lawn (looks very real!) from my folks and Zeus loves it. I've also put up lattice on the sides of the porch so he can't slip through.

Have you ever heard of a catio? I am also in the process of creating one of those for my cat which will also benefit Zeus from going outside. It might also help you with bugs. Google that for ideas.

I have a patio doogy door so building the catio is especially important for that.

[sophias mommy]

Originally Posted by RileyDC

I'm an in the back of the 5th floor of a building in DC. Riley is peepee pad trained and trained to go, outside. It works great for us. I have a doggie litter box with a peepee pad inside of it.

My building charged $500.00 nonrefundable "Per Pet" and then it is $20 extra a month. I had a schipperke that passed back in June of 2010. I got Riley in July of 2010 and because it is "per pet", I had to pay "another" $500.00 nonrefundable deposit. The management company actually contacted me asking for it. I thought that was ridiculous and it burned me up for a while!!

That's ridiculous! I would have been so upset!

[RileyDC]

Originally Posted by sophias mommy

That's ridiculous! I would have been so upset!

Ohhhh I was! I tried to fight it! I wrote them telling them that I got a pup to replace the pup which I lost .... and that it was not in addition to. All that did was stall them for a couple of months. I ended up having to pay and just let it go. Guess it is a good thing I'm not looking to add another. I'm already out $1,000.

If it weren't for the fact that I am in a Prime Location here in DC I would already be Gone!

[Princess10]

We live in a 3rd floor apt. Princess uses pads & goes outdoors, too, but not often. I don't like that some people don't pick up after their pets then she's out there sniffing their business since they don't require proof of vacc. here.

I paid a non-refundable $200 pet deposit & it's $20 a month for pet rent. The last 2 years that I've renewed my lease I've asked for a free carpet cleaning to 'negotiate' signing it. Princess did some damage to our venetian blinds as a pup-I wonder if I'll have to pay or it will come out of the deposit when we move. Seems like the $200 should cover it.

I wanted to add that I let her on the balcony for fresh air, which she loves, but I have wood along the bottom to keep her from walking off, etc. She's now too big to fit through the rails but a small dog could.

[LaurenPatrice]

Originally Posted by brezofleur

According to the LA Tenant and Landlord handbook (just do a google search), by law, all pet deposits MUST be refundable. However, if this is a pet FEE then it is not required. Do you remember if they said fee or deposit?

I would suggest googling the handbook and reading it just so you're familiar and don't get kneed in the end.


I also live in an apartment but I'm on the first floor. Is your balcony concrete? Wooden slates? What I've done is use something similar to the potty patch but it was left over "fake" lawn (looks very real!) from my folks and Zeus loves it. I've also put up lattice on the sides of the porch so he can't slip through.

Have you ever heard of a catio? I am also in the process of creating one of those for my cat which will also benefit Zeus from going outside. It might also help you with bugs. Google that for ideas.

I have a patio doogy door so building the catio is especially important for that.

Just rechecked my paperwork. Yep, it's a fee not deposit. What gets me is if I'm paying $500 that should cover the carpet cleaning and "defleaing". I will google your ideas, thanks! Both of mine couldn't get through the railing and it's concrete and covered from rain.

[LaurenPatrice]

Originally Posted by RileyDC

I'm an in the back of the 5th floor of a building in DC. Riley is peepee pad trained and trained to go, outside. It works great for us. I have a doggie litter box with a peepee pad inside of it.

My building charged $500.00 nonrefundable "Per Pet" and then it is $20 extra a month. I had a schipperke that passed back in June of 2010. I got Riley in July of 2010 and because it is "per pet", I had to pay "another" $500.00 nonrefundable deposit. The management company actually contacted me asking for it. I thought that was ridiculous and it burned me up for a while!!

Oh no, that's crazy! This apartment even makes you pay $500 for fish! What possible damage can a fish due that adds up to $500.

[brezofleur]

Originally Posted by LaurenPatrice

Oh no, that's crazy! This apartment even makes you pay $500 for fish! What possible damage can a fish due that adds up to $500.

Water damage from a broken aquarium? Silly though. How often, if ever, does that happen? I've only seen it in movies... (not saying it doesn't, just must be really rare!)

[LaurenPatrice]

Originally Posted by brezofleur

Water damage from a broken aquarium? Silly though. How often, if ever, does that happen? I've only seen it in movies... (not saying it doesn't, just must be really rare!)

Yep, they have to cover everything.

[deonk1]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

If you don't use piddle pads, walking them all hours and in all kinds of weather can be a challenge.

I use a grid system like the UGO dog, or Wiz dog.

I used to live on the 21st floor, and I will never do that again!

I now live on the second floor of a victorian condo building, our unit is privately rented to us by the owner.

We have no fees for Harley, however that could be because my land lady has 6-7 cats of her own. I actually had to de-flea Harley cause I think he got fleas from her cats, or my neighbor's dog.

it also helps that in Harley's room where his tray is, the hardwood floors were damaged by the previous tenant (wet newspapers). When she offered to fix them for us, I just told her not to cause at least if Harley makes a mistake I don't have to worry about it, she thought that was a fair deal (they got stained and need to be sanded down).

But I do know that in my city other than the one high-rise I lived in previously rather than charging pet rent or extra fees, they just strictly do not allow dogs. hence the private rental we're now in and plan on staying in until we buy a house.

[randi88]

We live in an apartment and we had $200 non refundable deposit... well we were supposed to but our landlord has 2 yorkies himself and did not make us pay lol gotta love other yorkie lovers . As for the carpet that sounds NUTS!!!! To me that's what the pet deposit should be for.

[randi88]

Originally Posted by LaurenPatrice

Oh no, that's crazy! This apartment even makes you pay $500 for fish! What possible damage can a fish due that adds up to $500.

my father does rental and while i think its nuts some people make you pay for this I will also say that i have seen it happen and it was a total nightmare for my dad and his property!!!

[kdhawks]

I live on the third floor of an apartment with one Yorkie and one Whippet. They are both outdoor-trained. It's not too much of a hassle to take them out several times per day. I live with my younger brother, so someone is usually around to make sure they get plenty of chances to take them out throughout the day.

Our apartment required a $400 total non-refundable fee. $300 for the first pet, and $100 for the second. I hate that it's non-refundable because my boys don't do anything damaging, but oh well.