Previous House Issue

This post is in answer to the comments on Lillian Anderson's blog relating to a house I previously lived in.

I lived in the Sarasota, Fl house uneventfully for approx 9 months.  When I moved out, the house was in good overall condition.  Any (normal) damage from owning cats was FULLY COVERED in the house deposit which I paid before I even moved in.  Additionally, I also paid a non-refundable pet deposit fee ($250) to cover any potential damage. 

Upon preparing to move, I also had the carpets professionally cleaned, the house professionally cleaned, the garage was pressure washed, lawn was immaculately maintained, etc.

*******  The property was also in the care of a property management company.  The day I moved out, the property manager inspected the property and she declared it clean and ready to move in.  She called the owners and told them it was ready.
She also commented that the garage and other areas were even cleaner than when I first moved in.

Unfortunately, the landlord (a lawyer) claimed to the judge that the Property Manager was only the "acting" manager, and not the legal one.  The landlord previously worked as a lawyer and really knew how to twist the truth.

Additionally, the house was older - 30+ years - and it had many people living in it during that time with other animals.  Over the years, multiple tenants had lived there and had a variety of pets during those times. 
Also, the owners themselves have two enormous 70+lb black Lab mixes.  Those dogs were allowed free rein in and outside of the house and caused damage.  Example: when I first looked at the house, the screen on the porch was ripped in several spots because the dogs had literally run through it.  There were also stains on the old carpet and other damage from the dogs.


During the case, it was also discovered that, immediately upon me moving out, the owners put the house on the market to sell.  After years and years of pets living in that house (owners, previous tenants, etc), the owners needed to make some upgrades on the house in order to sell it. 
In summary, as most pet owners will agree, pets DO cause some damage.  That is just a fact.  However, I fully feel that the damage caused by MY few cats I had at that time was FULLY covered in the security deposit and pet deposit.  I also spent additional hundreds with professional cleaning to make the house in tip top shape. 
In total, over $2100 was put towards professional services and deposits at the end of the lease on the house.  That more than covers any damage (and then some). 

During that time, I also had multiple visitors and they confirmed that the house was in good shape.  I have lived on other houses since then and have had no complaints from landlords at all regarding my animals. My animals, home and family are beautifully maintained and that is fully shown in the multiple pics I have posted and many healthy cats sent to loving homes over the years.