Furnace filters tell quite a tale if you know what to look for.... unauthorized smoking and unauthorized pets leave signs. 

The new IMT apts...get $3600 for 3 bd and 2s start at $2200...no pets, thin walls, small and bad reviews...Are you seeing bunches of quads in Sherman Oaks or Studio City?

Also, any thoughts on the best way to do pet deposit?

We had one where it was hoarders and they had dogs and cats using the upstairs bedrooms as bathrooms as well as the upstairs bathroom as the lock up for some pets that tore the walls and all up. 

They have also been hostile and difficult over the last 2 months with several different small lease violations I have looked past (installing washing machine without permission -we were supposed too and then it leaked and we had to come fix it, holes in walls to hang things, temporarily housing a pet "for a friend" without permission (no pets allowed), paying late...).

I've heard OdoBan is good for removing the odor from pet urine.

What it takes to thoroughly clean after a move-out including pets is not an easy task.

@Joe Papp - In New Jersey, the maximum security deposit (including any refundable pet fees) is 1.5x monthly rent.

Simply say "pet deposit required". 

When I informed them there was 2 lease violations...another person moved in and 2 pets a dog and a cat....they wanted $125 to do a site visit for the pets....and basically said to me your rent is being paid on time so dont make a fuss about the extra person.