Move-in and move-out with an assistance animal

Move-in is the important one

Almost every dispute about animal damage is really a dispute about what the unit looked like beforehand. Photograph everything, dated, including floors, skirting, door frames, window screens and any existing marks. Put it in writing to the landlord the same week and ask them to confirm. That ten minutes is worth more than any argument you can make eighteen months later.

During the tenancy

• Deal with damage as it happens. A repaired door frame is cheaper than a deduction and does not end up on a file.
• Keep a note of any inspection and what was said.
• If the accommodation was granted verbally, confirm it in writing. A change of manager is the most common way a granted accommodation gets forgotten.

Move-out

• Photograph again, dated, from the same angles.
• Attend the inspection if you can, and ask for the condition report.
• Expect an itemised deduction. Most states require one, and a lump sum described as pet damage is challengeable.
• Wear is not damage. A carpet a year older is not chargeable to you or to your animal.