Fill Out Pet Addendum Online

What is a pet addendum

A pet addendum is a supplemental agreement that becomes part of the lease it references. Most residential leases either prohibit pets or require the landlord's written consent. The addendum is that consent in documented form: it identifies the specific animal being approved, by type, breed, name, weight, and markings, and conditions the permission on a set of rules.

Because the addendum names a specific pet, it does not open the door to other animals. The Universal PDF template states that only the described pet is permitted and that any additional animal, even a temporary one, needs the landlord's separate written consent.

When to use a pet addendum

Use a pet addendum whenever a tenant wants to keep a pet in a rental where the lease does not already allow that specific animal. Common situations include a tenant adopting a pet mid-lease, a new tenant negotiating pet permission before signing, or a landlord formalizing an informal arrangement that was never put in writing.

Note that assistance and service animals are not pets in the eyes of the law, and housing rules for them are set by fair housing laws rather than by lease terms. The template includes a clause making clear that it does not limit any rights or obligations concerning assistance animals.

What to include in a pet addendum

A thorough pet addendum answers three questions: which animal is allowed, what it costs, and what rules apply. The Universal PDF template covers each part.

• The landlord and tenant names, the lease date, and the property address.
• A full description of the pet: type, breed, name, age, color, weight, and license details.
• Vaccination and spay or neuter status.
• Checkboxes for a refundable pet deposit, a one-time pet fee, and monthly pet rent, with blanks for the amounts.
• Pet rules covering leashing, waste cleanup, noise, vaccinations, pest treatment, and supervision.
• A responsibility and indemnity clause making the tenant liable for pet damage and injuries.
• A removal clause if the pet becomes a danger or nuisance or the rules are violated.
• Confirmation that all other lease terms stay in effect, plus signature lines for both parties.

How to fill out the pet addendum template

Enter the date, the landlord and tenant names as they appear on the lease, the lease date, and the property address. Describe the pet completely: a specific description prevents later disputes about whether the animal on the property is the one that was approved.

In the deposit and fees section, check only the boxes that apply and fill in the amounts. Rules on pet deposits, non-refundable fees, and pet rent vary by state, so confirm what your state permits before setting amounts. Enter the governing state, download the PDF, and have both parties sign. Attach the signed addendum to the lease and give the tenant a copy.

Common mistakes to avoid

Pet arrangements are a frequent source of landlord-tenant friction, and most of it is avoidable with a precise addendum.

• Granting blanket permission for pets instead of naming a specific animal.
• Charging a non-refundable pet fee in a state that restricts or prohibits them.
• Treating an assistance or service animal as a pet and applying pet fees or pet rules to it.
• Leaving the deposit and fee section ambiguous, with boxes checked but amounts blank.
• Failing to attach the signed addendum to the lease, so it gets lost or forgotten at renewal.