Cleaning Fee for "Emotional Support Pet" In Omaha NE

[Ben Einspahr]

Hello BP Team,

Reaching out for a little advice needed for some tenant issues we are having.

We are having some tenants moving out that have a pet. They paid their refundable pet deposit of $250 and signed our lease prior to moving in. In our lease we have a section that calls out that tenants with pets have to pay a non-refundable pet cleaning fee of $250 prior to moving out. That $250 is primarily used for cleaning out duct work and any other odds and ends that need to be touched up. This typically is just taken out of the refundable pet deposit.

So here is the kicker, they have documented proof that shows this pet is an “emotional support pet” so they do not need to pay for any cleaning fees as a result of their “emotional support pet”. There has been numerous times when questioning them and they say, I will need to talk with my layer. I personally think this is something they are throw out just so we don’t question them and I am guessing they have never been challenged.

The good thing is we currently hold their pet deposit and initial deposit security deposit. A pet is a pet and whether it is an emotional support pet or just a pet, we are incurring they same amount of damages as owners.

I know this post seems a little bit ridiculous but I am just trying to do as much due diligence on the front end as possible.Thank you in advance for any advise provided.

Ben