MWood
McCall,#2REBUTTAL Individual responds
Thu, January 24, 2013
I owned the management company that handled the property, I was not the landlord. My job was to protect the owner's interests. The tenant failed to mention that she owned five dogs. The owner of the subject property was hesitant to rent to someone with so many dogs but made an exception for the tenant. The owner was assured by the tenant that the home and carpets would be thoroughly cleaned upon her departure.
When she indicated she planned to move prior to lease termination I advertised for a new tenant. The plan was to have a new tenant in place to take over the remainder of her lease. I was assured that the home would be left clean and presentable. It was not. Due to pet odor, dog hair, filth on the walls and pet stains on the carpet I was unable to rent the property until the carpets and home could be cleaned.
The cleaning costs and delay caused by the failure of the tenant to leave the home in rentable condition cost the owner of the home money. His costs were covered by the tenant's cleaning deposit per the terms of the tenant's signed lease agreement.
I know that most pet owners are responsible and dependable but sadly, after this incident, the owner of that property refused to rent to pet owners ever again.
Bottom line: She lost her deposit for failing to clean up after her dogs, not because she broke her lease and moved out early.