Pet agreements: An overview
When you’re planning to lease an apartment with one or more pets, make certain that part of your lease agreement is a pet agreement or pet addendum. The pet agreement should stipulate the regulation of pet size and weight, prohibited breeds, amount of pet deposit and if it (or part of it) is refundable. Laws vary state to state, so it’s best to be prepared even before the lease signing.
Your pet agreement is a legal and binding part of your lease. If you don’t agree with it or don’t understand, further clarification should be sought before you finalize your rental agreement.
Understand your rental agreement
The common assumption is that a pet will cause damage. A good agreement for the landlord will require that damages be covered by a pet deposit/fee and subsequently satisfied by the apartment deposit. A pet agreement sets boundaries and conditions, restricting what your landlord is charging you and under what conditions.
State-specific laws
Most landlords don’t want to argue about damages when the tenancy ends. As mentioned before, laws vary by state. States permitting non-refundable fees require explanations and must be stated within the lease.
Pet agreements: Some common inclusions
- Management authorization for pet
- Animal with breed/history of aggressive behavior can be excluded
- Pet agreement terminates with tenant occupancy termination
- Tenancy terminates if pet agreement is broken
- Additional security deposit
- Refundable/non-refundable security deposit
- Additional pet fees
- No-limit liability
- Cleaning and repair clause
- Management indemnity for litigation costs
- Your landlord’s perspective
Non-refundable deposits have been such a burden to some landlords that they have decided to charge a single refundable deposit, covering both pet and tenant damages – which can be a blessing to some renters.
If you have a pet, or are thinking about adopting, you will likely pay a deposit which may or may not be refundable. Make certain that you understand your agreement, and accept the terms before you sign. While pet deposits may feel like a burden to renters, landlords have a tremendous liability regarding property damage caused by pets living at their properties.
