pet deposit?

I just completed my final walkthrough with my landlord. The only damages were pet odor and fleas. I paid $450 earned and nonrefundable pet deposit and $1075 refundable security deposit. Since the damages are pet related shouldn't the damages come from the pet deposit and any additional from the security deposit

How bad are the pet odors, and how large is the unit? Does the unit have carpet? Pet urine does not just come up out of carpets easily, and just a few 'accidents' on the floor can result in permanent damage. Carpet and underlay may need to be completely removed and replaced. Sometimes it is even required to have the (usually plywood) floor or sub-floor treated if mold grew from moist conditions. But in any case, the LL is required to send you an itemized letter stating repair costs that come out of your security deposit. Make sure your forwarding address is left with your LL and let them know you're expecting this letter with repair costs. If the LL doesn't comply within 30 days, and you believe that needed repairs did not exceed your pet deposit and security deposit, then you may have cause to go ahead in court.

First, was this a pet DEPOSIT or a NON-REFUNDABLE FEE? There is a difference. A deposit is to be used towards pet damages. A fee might not be used for damages, but just be for the privledge of having a pet.

Next, I agree with the questions from the other poster. How many accidents? Not only may the subfloor have to be treated, but if it was porous (like plywood), it may need to be sanded and sealed or even replaced. Urine soaks in unsealed wood like this. That can be expensive.

Then, I have to ask how old the carpet was. If it was fairly new, you could be charged the majority of the cost to replace it if it won't come clean or deordorized.

Finally, the issue of fleas. Leaving a unit with fleas makes it uninhabitable for at least 2 weeks. Repeated treatments or exterminations are required to rid a unit of fleas (at least 2 treatments every 10 days or so to kill newly hatching fleas). You may also be responsible rent for this period if no one can rent the unit for that period because of the condition you left the unit. You were to leave the unit in the condition in which you recieved it, ready to re-rent after repairing minor wear and tear issues.