A Scratch Is Not Proof of a Pet: Deposit Deductions Need Evidence

A scratch on a table
is not automatically proof that a tenant secretly kept a cat.
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Before deducting or retaining a rental deposit
a landlord should separate:

Actual tenant-caused damage.

Normal wear and tear.

Pre-existing defects.

And assumptions that have not been proven.
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Useful evidence includes:

Move-in and move-out photographs.

A signed condition report.

The lease terms.

Repair estimates or receipts.

The age and expected life of the furniture.

Communication with the tenant.
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If the lease prohibits pets
the landlord should still establish
that the condition was breached
and that a measurable loss resulted.

Retaining the entire deposit
because one mark “looks like a claw scratch”
may create an avoidable dispute.
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Clear documentation protects both sides.

The tenant can see why money was deducted.

The landlord can show that the charge reflects real damage.

Note: Every dispute depends on the contract and evidence. This article provides general information, not legal advice.

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