pet deposit

[Pennywise1]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania

let me get this right. From everything I read it is illegal in the state of Pennsylvania for a landlord to do the following.

When I moved into my apartment I paid $650+$650+$650 first month, last month and $650 security and an additional $650 for a deposit labeled pet deposit. In addition to the pet deposit my rent was also increased an additional $25 per month to $675 for the term of the 12 month lease because of the wear and tear a pet may cause. It was a 1 year lease that recently expired. I'm still waiting for my security deposit to be returned and understand a landlord has 30 days to return it. m just hoping that I will be treated fairly but have a funny feeling that I won't be. As a precaution I want to prepare myself in the event I need to go to the magistrate and would like to know that anything I say at the magistrate is accurate/correct

thank you for reading and providing me insight regarding this matter.

 

[FarmerJ]

did you take a lot of pictures to show the final condition of the unit ? ( do you have before pics too ? )

 

[reenzz]

Was the pet deposit defined in the lease as an actual deposit or a non refundable pet fee?

Also, since you lease has expired, the landlord can give you a 30 day notice of a rent increase and/or a notice to now remove your pet. Choose your battles wisely.

 

[Pennywise1]

I have already moved out of the apartment. The deposit for the pet is refundable as per the lease. In my case when I first moved into the apartment I was required to pay an additional $650 pet deposit as well as an additional $ 25 per month rent because of my pet. From what I've read it seems that a landlord can do one or the other, they can't do both as they did to me, raise the rent and require a pet deposit. Is this correct?

 

[Pennywise1]

Yes. I took both video and still photos of the house before and after I moved in.

 

[FarmerJ]

how long has it been since you vacated ?

 

[Pennywise1]

I vacated January 19, 2015

 

[Pennywise1]

how long has it been since you vacated ?

January 19, 2015

 

[reenzz]

Ear

January 19, 2015

Are you saying that you moved out last year?

 

[Pennywise1]

Are you saying that you moved out last year?

No. I just moved out about 2 weeks ago. lol I'm sorry, I forgot it's 2016. My move out date was 1/19/2016

 

[Pennywise1]

security deposit returned

just received my security deposit back . When I moved in last year I paid first month, last Ionth, $650 secuurity deposit as well as a $650 pet deposit. In addition to the security and pet deposit the landlord also increased my rent by $25 a month because of the pet when I received my security deposit back there was a $65 deduction for carpet cleaning because of my pet, my landlord stated that they had the carpet cleaned because of the ppossibility of fleas etc, it had nothing to do with any damage or stains my pet might have caused . To me it seems excessive that I was paying $25 extra per month in rent and then had to pay to have the carpet cleaned. It seems excessive to pay to have the carpet cleaned while also paying extra rent because I had a pet.

 

[Zigner]

just received my security deposit back . When I moved in last year I paid first month, last Ionth, $650 secuurity deposit as well as a $650 pet deposit. In addition to the security and pet deposit the landlord also increased my rent by $25 a month because of the pet when I received my security deposit back there was a $65 deduction for carpet cleaning because of my pet, my landlord stated that they had the carpet cleaned because of the ppossibility of fleas etc, it had nothing to do with any damage or stains my pet might have caused . To me it seems excessive that I was paying $25 extra per month in rent and then had to pay to have the carpet cleaned. It seems excessive to pay to have the carpet cleaned while also paying extra rent because I had a pet.

It's $65 - move on...really. It's not worth it.