Free United States Pet Agreement Addendum
Comprehensive pet agreement addendum covering pet identification, fees, rules, and responsibilities. Federal FHA protects service animals and emotional support animals from pet fees and breed/size restrictions.
Free United States Pet Agreement Addendum — 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 Agreement Addendum is a comprehensive bilateral pet agreement covering identification, fees, rules, damage allocation, and FHA protections. Both landlord and tenant sign.
Complete the Pet Agreement Addendum
Complete the form below to generate a comprehensive United States Pet Agreement Addendum. 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 Agreement Addendum
A comprehensive pet agreement addendum covers all aspects of pet ownership during a tenancy: detailed pet identification (breed, weight, vaccinations, license), financial terms (deposit, fee, monthly rent), rules of conduct (where pet is permitted, leashing, cleanup), damage allocation, and the required carve-out for service animals and emotional support animals under the federal Fair Housing Act. Once signed by both parties, the addendum becomes part of the lease.
United States Pet Addendum Framework
- Federal law: 42 U.S.C. §3604 (Fair Housing Act) – applies nationwide
- State law varies on permitted fees, deposits, and pet rent
- Comprehensive coverage: identification, fees, rules, damage, FHA
- Bilateral – both landlord and tenant must sign
- Reasonable accommodation required for assistance animals
What This Document Covers
- Comprehensive pet identification (breed, weight, age, vaccinations, license)
- All three fee types: pet deposit, pet fee, pet rent (where state law permits)
- Detailed pet rules: areas permitted, leashing, cleanup, noise, vaccinations
- Damage responsibility allocation
- FHA carve-out: service animals and ESAs exempt from this agreement
- 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
Comprehensive pet agreements give both parties clarity and reduce disputes. Document everything: pet identification (with photo if possible), all fees and their refundability, specific rules tailored to your property, and damage responsibility. For ESA accommodations, follow HUD guidance carefully – request reliable documentation but do not require specific certifications. Retain signed copies. Update the addendum if pets change or are added during the tenancy.
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.
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Established 2004 · 20+ Years · All U.S. States & Territories · Statute-Based · Attorney-Reviewed
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⚖ 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.
