California Apartment Association

Legal Q&A: Tenants gave away dog after paying pet deposit

Question: My tenants paid an extra deposit for a pet. They gave away the dog after two months. Now they are asking if the pet deposit could be returned.

Answer: You do not have to account for the use of the deposit until 21 days from the date they return possession of the premises, so you don’t have to refund any of the deposit.

Question: I rented an apartment to a young man; he signed a one-year lease and paid the deposit and first month’s rent in full.He moved in today and less than 24 hours later, he is requesting to get out of his lease because another apartment that he prefers became available. Is there any kind of buyer’s remorse on signing a lease?

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