Pet Addendum

Because whether those charges are allowed, and how much, depends on your state and sometimes your city, and we have not reviewed those limits across the country. In California, for example, an official state guide says a pet deposit counts toward the overall security deposit limit. Rather than print a number that might be wrong where you live, the addendum states that any pet deposit, pet fee or pet rent is not addressed in it and must be agreed separately in writing. If you agree on a payment, write it in a separate signed agreement after checking an official page for your state and city.

Then this is the wrong document. An animal that a tenant needs because of a disability is handled as a request for a reasonable accommodation under fair housing rules, not as a pet, and pet fees, pet deposits and pet rules do not automatically apply. If you choose "This is an assistance animal" in the first step, the tool stops and points you to the Assistance-Animal Accommodation Request and to official fair housing resources. It does not produce a pet addendum for that situation.

The addendum covers one named animal described by type, breed or description, name and, if you add them, age and weight. It does not contain a general breed or weight policy. Some cities, counties, buildings, homeowner associations and insurance policies have their own breed or size rules, and a few states limit what local governments may do. We do not list them. Check with local animal services and your building rules before signing, and describe the animal accurately.

A signed addendum is the usual way to make an exception to a no-pets clause for one named animal. The document says that where it conflicts with the lease about the animal, the addendum controls, and that the lease otherwise stays in full effect. It changes nothing until the landlord and every tenant on the lease have signed it. A landlord is not required to agree to a pet, and a tenant should not bring the animal in before the addendum is signed.

The person signing for the landlord and every tenant on the lease. Each tenant gets a separate signature line with a date line; an addendum signed by only some tenants may not bind the others. Many parties sign on paper and exchange copies. An electronic signature is not automatically suitable for every document; if you sign electronically, keep the completed copy and the signing record, and sign on paper if either side prefers. Whatever you choose, attach the signed addendum to the lease.

Only if the addendum or the lease allows it. The tool offers an optional clause, written in neutral terms, under which the landlord may withdraw consent for documented violations after written notice that describes the problem and the time allowed to correct it, as the lease and applicable law allow. The lease and local law decide what notice is enough; the addendum does not set a number of days. If you leave the clause out, the addendum can be ended only by a written agreement signed by both sides.

The addendum says the tenant is responsible for damage caused by the animal as provided in the lease, and that it does not change how the lease handles damage, repairs, cleaning or the security deposit. It does not create a separate damage charge or a cleaning fee. Dated photos of the unit on or before the effective date give both sides a starting point if a question comes up later.

This version describes one animal and says no other animal may be kept without the landlord's prior written consent. For a second animal, generate a second addendum with its own description, or ask the landlord to list both animals in one signed document. Offspring of the described animal are not covered either, so a litter needs its own written consent.