How to Get Your Security Deposit Back When You Have a Cat
Moving out sucks under the best circumstances, and when you have a cat, getting that security deposit back can feel like a long shot. Between scratches on door frames and the lingering smell that somehow always seems to linger despite your best efforts, common deductions include claw marks on door frames and shredded blinds. So what actually happens to your deposit when you’re moving out with a feline roommate, and how can you protect your money?
Understanding Your Deposits and Fees
Before we talk about protecting your deposit, it helps to understand what you’re actually dealing with. Pet fees are one-time, non-refundable charges you pay before moving in that don’t cover pet damages. That $300 non-refundable pet fee your landlord charged? It’s gone no matter what—it’s essentially paying for the privilege of having a cat there.
A pet deposit, on the other hand, is refundable, so part of it can be applied to damages—though this depends on what your lease says. Some leases lump pet deposits in with your regular security deposit, while others keep them separate. Pet deposits are refundable in most cases if no pet-related damage is found, and if the property is left in good shape with no stains, scratches, odors, or pest issues caused by pets, the landlord is generally required to return the full deposit.
The key difference: your regular security deposit and any pet deposit are meant to come back to you. Fees are not.
Common Cat Damage That Costs You Money
Scratching on door frames and baseboards is the most common source of rental deposit deductions from cat ownership, and double-sided deterrent tape combined with a scratching post addresses this most reliably costly damage. Beyond that, here are the hits your deposit typically faces:
Scratching Damage
- Door frames and baseboards (the worst offender)
- Carpet edges near doors and windows
- Wall corners where cats like to mark territory
- Blinds slats and window treatments
Staining and Odor Issues
- Urine accidents outside the litter box—these are expensive to remediate
- Carpet stains that require professional cleaning or replacement
- Lingering odors that soak into subflooring
- Furniture provided by the landlord that gets soiled
Other Damage
- Chewed baseboards or trim
- Knocked-over litter box stains on flooring
- Excessive fur matting in carpet (sometimes classified as cleaning costs)
The problem? Landlords are required to only deduct for reasonable expenses related to cleaning and repair—they cannot charge a tenant’s security deposit to remodel the premises. But what’s
