Quote Quoting gail in georgia
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1. How do you know the carpet was 10 years old?

2. What type of pets did you have?

3. Keep in mind that folks with pets often become immune to their pets odors. And steam cleaning a carpet and doing a walk through the next day will often NOT pick up odors that remain in carpet pads/floors/subfloors at that time. It is only later that any remaining odors will become obvious. In some cases the carpet, padding, floors and subfloors have to be replaced to remove the offending odors.

If you disagree with what was kept from your security deposit, you can consider writing a demand letter to the landlord, demanding what you believe you are fairly owed and giving them a certain amount of time (say, two weeks) to remedy the situation. If no success, then your next step is to consider a lawsuit over the matter. Such lawsuits are typically handled through Small Claims court where you would represent yourself and would not need to hire an attorney to present your case.

Keep in mind that in cases such as disputes over pet odors the landlord will often keep a piece of the carpet and/or padding in a zip lock bag to present as evidence to the court regarding the odor. In some cases (especially when the former tenants have had cats) the odor upon opening these bags is enough the clear the court room.

Gail
Just as a bit of FIY trivia.

The odor you are talking about (the kind that can clear a room) is only from the spraying (not peeing but marking territory) of an unneutered male cat.

Neutered male cats or female cats do far less damage than dogs. Its the rare cat that won't confine their bodily functions to their litter box.