Free United States Pet Addendum Agreement
Best-practice national pet addendum to your lease. Federal FHA protects service animals and emotional support animals from pet fees and breed/size restrictions. State law may add further protections.
Free United States Pet Addendum Agreement — overview
🛡 Federal Fair Housing Act — Service Animals & Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are NOT Pets
Under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. §3604) and HUD guidance, service animals and properly documented emotional support animals are reasonable accommodations — not pets. They are EXEMPT from pet fees, pet deposits, pet rent, breed restrictions, and weight limits. This addendum applies only to true pets. Landlords who charge fees on assistance animals violate federal law and face significant liability.
A United States Pet Addendum Agreement is a bilateral lease addendum authorizing specific named pets in the rental property. Used in all U.S. jurisdictions; state-specific rules on fees apply.
Complete the Pet Addendum Agreement
Complete the form below to generate a comprehensive United States Pet Addendum Agreement. The form produces a multi-page PDF including pet identification, rules, fee structure, and signature blocks. Both parties must sign for the addendum to take effect.
1. Parties and Property
2. Authorized Pet(s)
List each pet authorized under this addendum. ONLY pets listed below are permitted. Additional pets require a new addendum.
3. Pet Fees and Deposits
State laws vary on what fees are permitted. Some states cap pet deposits within the overall security deposit limit; others allow separate pet deposits, pet fees (non-refundable), or pet rent (monthly). Verify your state’s rules. State law varies on permitted fees and whether they count toward security deposit caps. Verify your state’s rules.
4. Pet Rules and Tenant Responsibilities
- Pet must be leashed/contained at all times in common areas
- Tenant must clean up after pet immediately
- Pet must not disturb other tenants or neighbors
- Tenant responsible for any damage caused by pet
- Vaccinations and licensing must be current at all times
5. Signatures
About the United States Pet Addendum Agreement
A pet addendum agreement is the standard way to authorize pets in a rental property where the original lease does not address pets, or to modify existing pet terms. The addendum identifies specific authorized pets, sets fees and deposits, establishes rules, and allocates responsibility for pet-related damage. Both parties sign and the addendum becomes part of the lease. State law varies significantly on permitted fees (some states cap pet deposits within the overall security deposit limit; others allow separate pet fees). The federal Fair Housing Act protects service animals and emotional support animals from pet fees and breed/size restrictions in all states.
United States Pet Addendum Framework
- Federal law: 42 U.S.C. §3604 (Fair Housing Act) for service animals + ESAs – applies nationwide
- State law varies: pet deposit caps, pet rent permissibility, security deposit treatment
- Some states (Florida §760.27) have additional ESA protections
- Pet deposits, fees, and pet rent: permitted in most states; verify locally
- Reasonable accommodation: required nationwide for assistance animals
What This Document Covers
- Identifies specific authorized pets with details (breed, weight, vaccinations)
- Sets pet deposit, pet fee, and/or pet rent amounts
- Establishes pet rules (areas permitted, leashing, cleanup, noise)
- Allocates responsibility for pet-related damage
- Carves out FHA-protected service animals and ESAs
- Both parties sign – addendum becomes part of lease
Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals — Federal Protections
Under the Federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. §3604(f)), service animals trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability, and emotional support animals prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider, are reasonable accommodations — not pets. They are exempt from pet fees, pet deposits, pet rent, breed restrictions, weight limits, and species restrictions. Landlords may request documentation (limited scope under HUD guidance) but may NOT require special training certificates for ESAs or charge fees. The Department of Justice administers ADA protections for service animals in public accommodations; HUD administers FHA protections for housing.
Best Practices
Document pet identification thoroughly at lease signing – this protects both parties if disputes arise. For accommodations involving assistance animals, document the interactive process carefully: tenant’s request, what documentation was reviewed (HUD limits what landlords may request), and the decision. Avoid blanket breed restrictions where possible – they expose landlords to fair-housing claims. Verify your state’s specific rules on permitted fees before signing.
Screen pets and their owners properly
Pet-related damage is one of the top causes of security deposit disputes. Tenant Screening Background Check has been verifying renters since 2004 — including pet-owner credit checks, eviction history, and damage-related civil filings to spot risk patterns before signing.
Order United States Tenant Screening →
Published by Tenant Screening Background Check
Established 2004 · 20+ Years · All U.S. States & Territories · Statute-Based · Attorney-Reviewed
A Private Eye Reports™ service trusted by landlords, property managers, and attorneys.
⚖ Legal Disclaimer
This form is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For state-specific landlord-tenant law, visit HUD Tenant Rights. For assistance animal accommodations under FHA, see HUD Notice FHEO-2020-01. Federal law (Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §3604) protects service animals and emotional support animals from pet fees and breed/size restrictions. Consult a qualified United States attorney for advice specific to your situation.
