In leasing property, there is such a thing called security deposits. In general, these are collected by the landlord at the beginning of the lease period for the exclusive use of paying for repairs caused by normal wear and tear, unpaid rents and fees related to the preparations needed for the property to be ready for occupancy of the next tenants. On the other hand, the remaining balance is usually returned to the tenant at the end of the lease period as agreed upon on the contract which includes the earning of interest. This return of deposit can also be treated as a motivation on the part of the tenant to avoid causing damages to the unit since moving out will entail a good deal of money to scout for the next home.

The steady deterioration of the unit or property, be it the floor, paint, window and other things on normal conditions, is considered normal or fair wear and tear. These will certainly be covered by such deposits. However, anything that exceeds normal wear and tear will be considered damages which the tenant will be financially responsible for. Damages are usually caused by unreasonable use of the property and accidents.

Having pets live in the leased property can only cause a problem in terms of costs that will be covered by the security deposit. Urine stench around the toilet is considered normal wear and tear. However, urine or pet odor in other areas of the leased unit is considered damage and thus, the tenants are financially responsible for this.

Some pets have the unusual habit of marking their territories by spraying urine. In the case of carpeted units, the odor will not only stay on the surface of the carpet but will also seep through the carpet pad, thereby drenching and retaining the odor, as well as the concrete floor. The result of this is that the concrete floor will have need of chemical treating to lessen the pungent odor.

It is a fact that most urine-related pet odors are very hard to remove when using common household cleaning solutions. Treating it with a chemical substance, usually a good combination of bleaching and other chemicals, can transform it to an odor-free substance. It is generally recommended to install a high quality vinyl instead of carpeted flooring. These lingering pet odors can last until a year if left untreated. It will certainly decrease the value of property.

In some jurisdictions, pet-related accidents or waste constitute a separate additional deposit called pet deposit. Assuming that the pet deposit is refundable the tenant should invest in pet stain removers more specifically on odor removers for those hard to eliminate pet odor. Most pet deposits range within $350.

Not most cities offer pet-friendly leasing properties. When scouting for the perfect place, the first thing to remember is to invest time in seeking the way to make landlords accept pets. It is not only enough to present oneself as a responsible pet owner and a potential fine tenant, it might help to prepare a dossier on the pet which will take account of a basic resume and references of previous landlords, neighbors, and known animal authorities like obedience instructors and veterinarians. Moreover, prepare to propose an agreement which will comprise an additional pet deposit.