Removal of Pet from the Lease

[Pranitha Shandi]

My current tenant has moved in with a pet 8 months ago. The lease is set up to call out a pet (with the total rent showing the advertised rent plus the $30 additional pet rent) and an extra $300 non-refundable security deposit (specifically called out in the lease for Cleaning).

Now, the tenant's dog is moving out of the house to another family member.  Two questions in regards to that:

1.  While I have lowered the rent by $30, I believe I have to amend the lease to call out that there is no pet anymore.  Has anyone done such an amendment to the Lease?  

2. Also, please confirm that I am not obliged to refund any/partial of the $300 deposit when they move out.

Thanks in advance.

[Filipe Pereira]

@Pranitha Shandi, good advice by @Jennie Ballard above. Create a new lease addendum stating that there are no pets living in the property at this time and that the rent is being reduced by $X.

On a side note, if something that you are collecting is nonrefundable, it really is not a security deposit. A security deposit is meant to protect you against potential damages, and is not supposed to be “non refundable”. What you are collecting really is a fee, not a security deposit. Clarifying this may help eliminate future confusion.