A pet addendum authorizes a specific animal under a lease that otherwise prohibits or does not address pets. It describes the pet precisely, sets any pet deposit or monthly pet rent, and states the care rules and the tenant's responsibility for damage.
Specificity is the point: the addendum authorizes one described animal, not pets in general, so a second dog or a replacement cat needs a new signature, and the landlord keeps control of what lives at the property.
Pet deposits, pet fees, and pet rent
| Charge | Refundable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pet deposit | Yes | Held like the security deposit; state deposit caps may include it |
| Pet fee | No | One-time; prohibited in some states, including California |
| Pet rent | No | Monthly; common range $25 to $75 per pet |
State deposit caps often include pet deposits
In states that cap total deposits (California caps most deposits at one month's rent since 2024), the security deposit plus the pet deposit must stay under the cap. Check your state before setting amounts.
Service and support animals are not pets
Under the Fair Housing Act, service animals and emotional support animals are assistance animals, not pets: a landlord must generally allow them as a reasonable accommodation, may not charge pet deposits or pet rent for them, and may only request reliable documentation where the disability or need is not apparent. Use this addendum for ordinary pets; handle accommodation requests through the FHA process.
How the addendum protects both parties
- The tenant gets written permission that cannot be revoked arbitrarily
- The landlord gets a described animal, vaccination confirmation, and a damage rule
- Neighbors get enforceable noise and control commitments
- Both sides get clean deposit accounting when the tenancy ends
Frequently asked questions
Can a landlord refuse pets entirely?
For ordinary pets, yes, in most states: pet policies are the landlord's choice. Assistance animals under the Fair Housing Act are the exception and must be evaluated as accommodation requests.
Can the landlord restrict breeds or sizes?
Yes for ordinary pets: weight limits and breed restrictions are common and often mirror the landlord's insurance policy requirements. State them in the pet description so the authorized animal is unambiguous.
What happens if the tenant gets a second pet?
The addendum authorizes only the described animal. An additional pet requires a new addendum; keeping one without permission is a lease violation that can support a cure-or-quit notice.
Is a pet deposit separate from the security deposit?
It is held under the same legal rules but earmarked for pet damage. On move-out, pet damage is deducted from the pet deposit first, then from the security deposit if needed.
Can this addendum be signed mid-lease?
Yes. That is its most common use: a tenant adopts a pet mid-term and both parties sign the addendum, which attaches to the lease from its effective date.