When you rent an apartment or house, you often need to pay a security deposit. This is a sum of money that the landlord holds onto in case you damage the rental property or break the lease. Some landlords also charge a pet deposit, which is a sum of money that they hold onto in case your pet damages the property. But do you get your pet deposit back when you move out?

Do You Get Your Pet Deposit Back?

The Answer: It Depends

Whether or not you get your pet deposit back depends on a number of factors. These include:

    The terms of your lease. In most cases, the lease agreement will spell out the terms of the pet deposit, including when and how it will be returned.
    The condition of the property when you move out. If your pet has damaged the property, the landlord may deduct the cost of the damage from your pet deposit.
    The landlord's pet policy. Some landlords have a no-pet policy, which means that they do not allow pets in their rental properties. If you violate the pet policy, the landlord may keep your pet deposit.

In general, you are more likely to get your pet deposit back if you:

    Follow the terms of your lease. Keep your pet well-behaved. Clean up after your pet. Report any damage to the property to the landlord immediately.

If you have any questions about your pet deposit, be sure to ask your landlord before you sign the lease.

What to Do if You Don't Get Your Pet Deposit Back

If you don't get your pet deposit back, there are a few things you can do:

    Talk to your landlord. Try to resolve the issue with your landlord directly. You may be able to negotiate a settlement or get the landlord to agree to return some or all of your pet deposit.
    File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. If you cannot resolve the issue with your landlord, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB will investigate the complaint and try to mediate a resolution.
    Take your landlord to small claims court. If the BBB is unable to resolve the issue, you can take your landlord to small claims court. This is a less formal and less expensive way to resolve the dispute.

When you take your landlord to small claims court, you will need to prove that you are entitled to the pet deposit. This may include providing evidence of the following:

    The terms of your lease. The condition of the property when you moved out. The landlord's pet policy. Any communication you had with the landlord about the pet deposit.

If you win your case in small claims court, the judge will order the landlord to return your pet deposit. The judge may also award you damages for any lost rent or other expenses that you incurred as a result of the landlord's failure to return your pet deposit.