Updated February 25, 2023
A pet addendum gives permission to allow the tenant to have pets on the rental property. It requires the tenant will be responsible for their pet(s), requiring that they keep their animals under control, that they do not make an excessive disturbance on the property, and that the pet owner is responsible for any property damage by the pets.
Pet Fee
In accordance with Federal law (42 U.S. Code § 3604(e)), a landlord cannot charge their tenant a pet fee if the animal is used for emotional support.
If the animal is not used for emotional support, the landlord can charge as much as desired unless their State imposes a maximum limit.
By Type (4)
Emotional Support Pet Addendum
Download: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Download: Adobe PDF
Video
How to Write
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word, OpenDocument
Article I. Parties
(1) Addendum Date. The calendar date that must be associated with this addendum in the future should be present.
(2) Lease Date. The calendar date of the lease that this addendum shall be incorporated should be transcribed to this document. This lease will be the agreement that absorbs this document’s conditions and will enforce them upon proper execution.
(3) Tenant. The Tenant named in the lease that will contain this addendum must be identified by name. Every Signature Tenant of the lease must be named in this paperwork. If more room is required, then copy and past the “Tenant” area to display the additional Signature Tenant(s).
(4) Landlord. The Landlord who will issue the lease with the concerned addendum should be named as well. If the Landlord is a formal Business Entity (i.e. a Property Management Company charged with leasing its Client’s property) then produce the official name of this Entity including any suffix assigned by its state of incorporation (i.e. “Corp.,” “LLC,” etc.).
Article II. Pets Allowed
(5) No Restrictions On Pets. If this addendum will not place any restrictions on the Leasing Tenant’s ability to own pets, then select the “No Fee” checkbox. Keep in mind, this document does not supersede applicable state and federal laws on pet ownership. For instance, if the State governing the lease agreement does not allow for a certain type of pet (i.e. an exotic or endangered animal), then, such a pet will not be allowed on the premises regardless of whether this option is selected or not. If this addendum is intended to place any restrictions on the Tenant’s pets in addition to state restrictions, then leave this option unselected.
(6) Pet Restrictions Employed. If this addendum must solidify that the Tenant signing the lease can have pets but that certain restrictions will be applied then, select the second checkbox definition in Article II. This choice will require further definition.
(7) Limiting Number Of Pets. If this addendum will place pet restrictions on a Tenant, then such limitations should be clearly defined. One or more checkboxes from the displayed restriction conditions may be selected for this reason. If the Tenant will be limited to being allowed a certain number of pets, then select the first checkbox restriction statement and document the maximum number of pets the Tenant will be allowed.
(8) Weight Restrictions. Place a mark in the second restriction statement’s checkbox if there will be a condition that any pet the Tenant maintains on the leased premises remain under a certain weight. In addition to selecting the weight restriction statement, a record of the maximum number of pounds the Tenant’s pet may weigh should be documented.
(9) Restricting Types Of Pet. In addition to applicable State and Federal laws, this addendum can restrict the types of pets the Tenant will be allowed to keep on the property while the concerned lease is in effect. To impose this restriction, mark the third checkbox statement of this section then present every type of pet (animal, fish, bird, and plant) that the Tenant may not keep on the property.
Article III. Pet Deposit
(10) No Pet Fee Imposed. Some Landlords will require that the Tenant submit a pet fee to cover any potential expenses caused by the animal (i.e. damage). If the Landlord behind this addendum will waive this fee, then select the “No Pet Fee” box.
(11) Pet Fee Required. Choose the second definition’s checkbox if there will be a pet fee applied to any pets of the Tenant then furnish the dollar amount of the pet fee required for one pet where this choice requests it.
(12) Non-Refundable Fee. If a pet fee will be imposed to protect the Landlord from damages and other potential expenses caused by a pet, then the question as to whether this fee is refundable must be resolved. If the fee will be considered non-refundable and will not be returned to the Tenant under any circumstances, then place a mark in the checkbox corresponding to the term “Non-refundable.”
(13) Refundable Fee. If the Landlord will refund the imposed pet fee upon the successful completion of the concerned lease and a lack of any pet-related damages or wear and tear to the property, then select the second status option. This option should only be selected if the Landlord considers the pet fee a sort of (refundable) security payment for the pet.
Addendum Execution
(14) Tenant’s Signature. Every Tenant who shall sign the lease that will adopt this addendum must sign his or her full name to the completed document.
(15) Printed Name And Signature Date. After all the Tenants signing the lease have also signed this addendum. Each must immediately print his or her name and document the current date.
(16) Landlord’s Signature. The Landlord issuing the concerned lease and this addendum must submit his or her signature to approve it. If needed, a Property Management Entity may elect a Signature Party to sign this addendum on its behalf. It is not necessarily required that the same Representative who has signed the lease sign this addendum, however, this is strongly recommended. Only the Property Landlord or an authorized Representative of the Business Entity issuing the lease this addendum will be attached to can fulfill this signature requirement.
(17) Printed Name And Date Of Signature. After signing his or her name to approve this addendum, the Landlord (or Representative) must print his or her name and enter the formal calendar date of signature.
