Is a pet deposit the same as pet rent?

No. A deposit is held and may be returned; pet rent is a recurring charge that is not. Some jurisdictions limit or prohibit one, the other, or both, so check locally before setting either. The addendum records what you agree.

Are service and assistance animals covered by this?

Generally no. Assistance animals are usually treated as a disability accommodation rather than as pets, and pet fees and pet rules commonly do not apply to them. This addendum is for pets, and you should take advice before applying pet terms to an assistance animal.

Can a landlord refuse a pet mid-lease?

If the lease prohibits pets, the tenant generally needs permission to keep one. This addendum exists for the case where permission is given and the terms are agreed — putting it in writing protects both sides.

Who pays for pet damage?

The addendum states it explicitly, because the lease may only address damage generally. Being specific avoids the argument later about whether a scratched floor was ordinary wear.

Does it need to name the specific animal?

Yes, and that is deliberate. Permission for "a dog" is not permission for a second one. Naming the animal keeps the agreement about the pet actually discussed.

Pet Addendum

Pet addendum that adds a named pet, its deposit or pet rent and the house rules to a lease already in force.

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A pet addendum adds pet terms to a lease that is already running, without rewriting the lease. It is the document to use when the answer to "can I keep a cat?" is yes and both sides want the terms recorded.

Who this document is for

A landlord allowing a pet after the lease was signed
A tenant asking to add a pet mid-tenancy
A landlord setting pet rent, a deposit, or rules for a specific animal

When to use something else

Using the wrong document is the most expensive mistake in this category, because the paperwork looks complete while doing the wrong thing. This is not the document for:

A new lease — pet terms belong in the lease itself
Assistance animals, which are treated differently from pets under housing rules
Removing a pet from a tenancy — that is a lease violation matter

What the generated document contains

The lease being amended, by date
The specific animal — type, breed, weight, name
Pet deposit or pet rent, if any
Rules on waste, noise, damage and common areas
Who is responsible for damage the animal causes
Signature block for both parties

State and local requirements

Requirements for this document differ by state, and sometimes by city. Notice periods, deposit limits, permitted fees and required disclosures are all set locally, and a number that is correct in one state can be wrong in the next one.

This page does not state those figures. The questionnaire asks you for the values that apply to your tenancy and prints what you enter, so the document reflects your situation rather than a national average. Start with the state lease pages for the jurisdiction you are renting in, and the pet-friendly rental guide for the difference between a pet deposit, a pet fee and pet rent, state by state.

How it works

Answer the guided questions
Review the readiness check, which flags contradictions before you pay
Preview the finished document free
Become a member and download the PDF and Word file. Cancel any time.

What to have ready

You will need answers to these 11 required questions, spread over 4 steps. The questionnaire also has optional questions, and some answers lead to follow-ups. Your answers are kept in this browser for 24 hours, so you can come back and finish (how saving works).

Landlord / property owner
- Who is the landlord or property owner?
Tenant & rental unit
- Who is the tenant?
- What is the rental property address?
- Date of the original lease?
Pet information
- Pet classification
- What is the pet's name?
- What type of animal?
- What breed?
- Vaccinations current?
Pet fees & date
- When does this addendum start?
- Which state is this document for?

Frequently asked questions

No. A deposit is held and may be returned; pet rent is a recurring charge that is not. Some jurisdictions limit or prohibit one, the other, or both, so check locally before setting either. The addendum records what you agree.
Generally no. Assistance animals are usually treated as a disability accommodation rather than as pets, and pet fees and pet rules commonly do not apply to them. This addendum is for pets, and you should take advice before applying pet terms to an assistance animal.
If the lease prohibits pets, the tenant generally needs permission to keep one. This addendum exists for the case where permission is given and the terms are agreed — putting it in writing protects both sides.
The addendum states it explicitly, because the lease may only address damage generally. Being specific avoids the argument later about whether a scratched floor was ordinary wear.
Yes, and that is deliberate. Permission for "a dog" is not permission for a second one. Naming the animal keeps the agreement about the pet actually discussed.

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