Pet Urine Damage: Carpet or Subfloor Security Deposit Deduction?
Decide whether a pet urine claim should be modeled as carpet replacement, cleaning, or subfloor repair.
Short answer
Pet urine claims should follow the documented repair scope. Carpet-only work belongs in a carpet worksheet. Odor sealing or subfloor replacement belongs in a subfloor worksheet only when photos, inspection notes, or invoices support that scope.
Worksheet preset: pet urine subfloor article
Source: InterNACHI Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart. Subfloor work is modeled as a building-component repair; use documented repair scope, not cosmetic carpet replacement.
Formula: chargeable = max(0, replacement_cost x remaining_life / useful_life) - wear_allowance, then multiplied by documented damage share.
Scope comparison
| Documented work | Calculator to use | Why | |---|---|---| | Carpet replacement | Carpet depreciation | Carpet has a short useful-life benchmark | | Enzyme cleaning | Cleaning charges | Service charge, not asset replacement | | Subfloor sealing or replacement | Pet urine subfloor | Building component with longer life |
Documentation checklist
Ask for the affected rooms, moisture/odor findings, itemized labor, itemized materials, and whether the work removed carpet, pad, subfloor, or all three. The bigger the scope, the more important the evidence.
Worksheet preset: pet urine subfloor article
Source: InterNACHI Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart. Subfloor work is modeled as a building-component repair; use documented repair scope, not cosmetic carpet replacement.
Formula: chargeable = max(0, replacement_cost x remaining_life / useful_life) - wear_allowance, then multiplied by documented damage share.
FAQ
Can odor treatment be deducted?
Documented odor treatment can be modeled as cleaning or repair cost. The calculator still separates cost, age, and damage share.
Why not always use carpet?
Because subfloor work can be materially different from carpet replacement. The worksheet should match the actual work.