Texas Pet Addendum
A pet addendum is the signed addition to a Texas lease that approves a specific animal, states the pet charges separately, and sets the house rules for keeping it. Done in writing, it prevents the two classic disputes: which animal was approved, and what each pet charge actually was.
What it is
A pet addendum modifies the lease for one tenancy and one set of animals. It names each approved animal, states each charge — refundable pet deposit, one-time pet fee, monthly pet rent — as its own line with its own character, and records the rules the tenant agreed to. It is part of the lease once both parties sign it.
When to use it
- A tenant asks to get a pet after the lease has already been signed
- You are signing a new lease with a tenant who already has an animal you are approving
- An approved animal is being replaced, or a second animal is being added, and the approval needs updating
- Your lease says no pets, or is silent, and you want a written approval instead of a verbal yes
What to include — checklist
Print this page to use the checklist on paper.
- The lease identified by date, property address and unit number, and a statement that this addendum is part of that lease
- Each approved animal identified individually: type, breed, approximate weight, name and identifying description
- Each charge stated separately: refundable pet deposit, one-time pet fee (and whether it is refundable), and monthly pet rent — never one blended figure
- A statement of what each deposit is held to secure, so its character is stated rather than assumed
- House rules you will actually enforce: waste removal, leash and common-area conduct, noise, and areas that are off limits
- Tenant responsibility for damage caused by the animal, and how that damage will be documented and charged
- Whether an additional or replacement animal needs a new signed addendum before it is kept at the property
- A line making clear the addendum covers pets only — assistance animals are handled as a housing accommodation, not under this addendum
- Landlord and tenant signatures and the date, with a copy kept with the lease file
Texas-specific requirements
- No statewide cap on pet deposits, pet fees or pet rent was verified in the research for this page. Texas Property Code Chapter 92 does not state a maximum for pet charges on an ordinary pet, so the amounts are a matter of what the signed lease and addendum say — check local ordinances before assuming a figure is fine everywhere.
- Texas Property Code §92.102: a security deposit is any advance of money, other than a rental application deposit or an advance payment of rent, that is intended primarily to secure performance under a lease. That definition turns on the money's purpose, not its label — an advance held to secure performance can be treated as a security deposit whatever the addendum calls it, and the §92.103 refund deadline and §92.104(c) itemization duty in that subchapter are written for security deposits.
- Because of §92.102, state each pet charge's character in the addendum itself: what is a refundable deposit, what is a one-time fee, and what is monthly pet rent. Do not rely on a label alone to decide how money will be treated.
- Assistance animals are not pets. As a general federal fair-housing point, a housing provider may not charge a pet deposit, pet fee or pet rent for an assistance animal a person needs because of a disability, and ordinary pet rules are waived as a reasonable accommodation. The tenant remains responsible for actual damage the animal causes. This page states that point generally and does not invent Texas-specific assistance-animal figures or forms.
- Texas Property Code §92.104(b) still applies at move-out: no part of a deposit may be retained for normal wear and tear, including in a pet tenancy. Pet damage beyond ordinary wear is a different matter — document it like any other damage.
Statute references are included only where verified for this pilot. Where a rule depends on your lease or local court, the page says so instead of guessing.
Common mistakes
- Calling money a 'non-refundable pet fee' and assuming the label alone decides how it is treated, instead of stating its purpose under §92.102
- Approving 'a dog' without identifying which dog, then having no record when a different or additional animal appears
- Blending the pet deposit, fee and pet rent into one figure, so no one can tell what is refundable at move-out
- Charging a pet deposit, fee or pet rent for an assistance animal — assistance animals are not pets
- Trying to add pet charges or a new pet policy in the middle of a lease term without a signed addendum
- Writing rules you never enforce, then relying on them later as if they had been the real agreement
Where landlords get this form
These providers publish Texas-specific landlord forms and document tools, including pet addendums. We describe them here for comparison — we do not link out from this pilot site yet.
| Provider | Best described as | What to check before you buy |
|---|---|---|
| LawDepot | DIY legal-document builder covering leases, applications and notices, form by form or by subscription. | Whether the Texas version is included in a free trial, subscription, or single-document price. |
| ezLandlordForms | Landlord-focused forms library built specifically around rentals, screening and state lease packages. | Whether you need a single form or its Texas state package, and what updates are included. |
| Rocket Lawyer | Document builder bundled with membership options that can include attorney Q&A services. | What the membership includes after any trial, and how cancellation works. |
| LegalZoom | Well-known legal-services platform, strongest on business formation and broader legal products, with some landlord documents. | Whether the exact landlord form you need is offered for Texas, versus a business product. |
Partner links activate after approval. When partnerships are approved, links on this page may become affiliate links and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That will be disclosed here before any link goes live.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is there a cap on pet deposits or pet fees in Texas?
- No statewide cap on pet deposits, pet fees or pet rent was verified in the research for this page. The amounts are set by the signed lease and addendum. Check local ordinances, and state each charge separately so its character is clear.
- Can I charge a pet deposit, a pet fee and pet rent together?
- That is a lease-drafting choice, not a state-prescribed formula — if you charge more than one, list each one separately in the addendum with its own amount and state whether it is refundable. Under §92.102, money advanced primarily to secure performance under a lease is a security deposit by definition, whatever it is called.
- Are assistance animals covered by a pet addendum?
- No. Assistance animals are not pets. As a general federal fair-housing point, a landlord may not charge a pet deposit, fee or pet rent for an assistance animal, and pet rules are waived as a reasonable accommodation. The tenant is still responsible for actual damage the animal causes.
- Does a pet deposit follow the regular deposit rules?
- It can. Section 92.102 defines a security deposit by purpose — an advance intended primarily to secure performance under the lease — not by label. A refundable pet deposit held on that basis should be handled with the §92.103 30-day refund deadline and the §92.104(c) itemization duty in mind. When the character of a charge matters, get advice before the tenancy ends, not after.