What Is a Pet Addendum?
A pet addendum to a rental agreement is a legal document that updates an existing lease to allow a tenant to keep a pet on the property. It becomes a part of the original lease agreement once the landlord approves and both parties sign it. It can also help clarify the property’s pet policy if the original rental agreement did not include pet terms. For example, it can set clear rules for:
- Pet fees and deposits
- Pet rent
- Cleaning and waste removal
- Noise and property damage
- Tenant responsibilities
Assistance animals are not pets. Under the Fair Housing Act (42 USC § 3604(f)), landlords cannot charge pet fees or extra rent for service animals or emotional support animals. These animals are protected by law and may qualify for reasonable accommodation for tenants with disabilities.
When to Use a Pet Addendum?
Landlords and tenants can use a pet addendum when the original lease does not clearly explain whether pets are allowed. If a tenant gets a new pet after the lease has been signed or if the landlord updates a no-pet policy, both parties can sign an addendum to update the agreement without having to write a new lease.
If the main lease has a detailed pet clause, an addendum may not be required. So, if your original lease already covers pets, you can skip the addendum. However, many landlords still use one to ensure the tenants clearly understand the rules and responsibilities. It also offers other practical benefits such as:
- Preventing misunderstandings between landlords and tenants
- Protecting the property from pet-inflicted damage
- Creating a written record of agreed-upon pet rules
- Making rental properties more appealing to responsible pet owners
What Should a Pet Addendum to a Lease Agreement Include?
A pet addendum to a lease establishes clear guidelines for the landlord and tenant. It records the pet’s description, associated fees, and the tenant’s specific maintenance duties. By signing this document, both parties have a clear point of reference for resolving disputes and ensuring a safe, clean living environment.
Here’s what to include in your pet addendum:
- Parties: Include the names of both the landlord and the tenant.
- Original lease details: Add the lease start date, rental property address, and any other identifying information.
- Pet details: List the pet’s name, type (dog, cat, etc.), breed, weight, age, sex, and license or registration number.
- Pet fees: State whether the tenant is required to pay a one-time fee to keep the pet on the property.
- Pet deposits: Specify any refundable or non-refundable pet deposit that may be required to cover potential damage caused by the pet.
- Pet rent: Note whether the tenant will pay an additional weekly, monthly, or yearly rent because of the pet.
- Tenant responsibilities: Explain that the tenant must supervise the pet, prevent excessive noise or damage, clean up waste, and follow leash, carrier, and shared-area rules.
- Liability statement: Include a clear statement that the tenant is responsible for any damages or injuries caused by the pet.
- Hold harmless clause: Explain whether the tenant is responsible for covering claims or costs if the pet harms another person or damages property.
- Compliance statement: Describe what may happen if the tenant breaks the addendum terms, such as removing the pet from the property.
- Signature: Have both parties sign the document so the addendum can become part of the lease.
Bringing a pet onto the property without the landlord’s approval, or breaking any of the pet addendum rules, may violate the lease. Depending on the state law and the lease term, the landlord may send an eviction notice or a lease termination letter if the tenant does not fix the issue.
Sample Pet Addendum
View the sample pet addendum to a rental agreement template below to see how landlords and tenants can document pet approval and set rules. Then, use Legal Templates’s questionnaire to customize and download your own free pet addendum template in PDF or Word.
