Realtor Ryan Anderson

Renting with Pets: Pet Rent, Pet Fees & Pet Deposits Explained🐱🐶

Many tenants are pet owners, especially in recent years, in which pet ownership has skyrocketed due to the pandemic. However, the rules regarding pets can sometimes be difficult for both landlords and tenants to grasp.

🐰What Is Pet Rent?
If you’re a renter in Canada, you’re in luck: charging pet rent is prohibited here. Moreover, the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act prohibits “no pets” clauses in rental agreements. Other provinces, such as Alberta or Quebec, give landlords a bit more leeway, so make sure to check the lease and building rules on whether pets are allowed or not.

🐶What Is a Pet Deposit?
Similar to the security deposit, a pet deposit is a one-time, refundable fee charged to cover the cost of property damage caused by a tenant’s pet. However, unlike pet rent, it is paid upfront as a lump sum rather than having it spread out in smaller installments throughout the lease. It is calculated as a percentage of the monthly rent and usually ranges between 40% and 85%.

A pet deposit is used by the landlord to cover things like scratched floors, damaged carpets, broken furniture or appliances, or even damage caused by chewing. However, it cannot be used to pay for wear and tear.

In the U.S., Pet deposit laws vary from state to state. In some cases, no separate pet deposits are allowed. Additionally, some states can cap the pet deposit to a quarter of the month’s rent, while others place the cap at $2,500.

🐈What Is a Pet Fee?
A pet fee is a one-time, non-refundable fee charged upfront to allow pets on the property and cover any damage they may cause. Some landlords may prefer charging a pet fee rather than a deposit, not necessarily because it’s non-refundable, but because it can also be used to cover wear and tear, such as cleaning the carpets and upholstery after the tenant has moved out.

☀️Reference: https://cutt.ly/iGFjbiB

🌷Spring Cleaning Checklist for Each Room of the House🧹

With spring on its way, it’s time to dust off those winter cobwebs and get your home in order!

🛋️Living Room
Roll up the carpets, then vacuum and mop the floors. You can also move furniture such as sofas to the center of the room, then vacuum and mop behind and underneath them as well.
Use a vacuum or steamer to clean sofas and upholstery, and remember to clean inside crevices as well. If you have decorative pillows, take off their cases and wash them. Do the same with your decorative blankets.

🛏️Bedroom
Rotate your mattress so that the head moves to the bottom of the bed. Also, if your mattress has a separate summer and winter side, flip it so that the summer side is facing up.
Let the mattress air for a few hours before putting clean sheets back on the bed.
Move the bed and sweep or vacuum around and underneath it. Give the floors a good mop, then push the bed back in its original spot.
Wash sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases at 140°F on a full cycle to remove any traces of sweat, dust or dander.

🍴Kitchen
Use a liquid dish soap solution to remove tough grease stains from your cooktop.
Clean the inside of your oven, and wipe the glass door inside and out. Don’t forget about your microwave oven either.
Wipe any stains and splashes from the tiles, counters and cabinet doors.
Go through your cabinets and throw out any food items that have expired. Remember to check dried foods as well, such as spices, pasta, rice or beans.
Take out the shelves and drawers from your fridge and give them a good clean.

🛁Bathroom
Give all tiles a good scrub. If you notice signs of black mold, spray the surfaces with a water and vinegar solution, scrub them with a sponge, then rinse them out.
Wipe mirrors and windows.
Wipe the dust off all surfaces, including vent covers.
Take off the shower curtain and mat and wash them in the washing machine on a cold setting. Then, you can leave them out to dry or tumble dry on a very low setting.

🔗Reference: https://cutt.ly/LGzOp3e