MakeLease is in early access — early users help shape what we build next.

    Massachusetts Pet Addendum

    Massachusetts landlords cannot charge a separate up-front pet fee or a pet deposit beyond the one-month security-deposit cap (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b)). The pet addendum below is preset for Massachusetts: fill in your details, then print it or save it as a PDF.

    State rules last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed

    Massachusetts rules for a pet addendum

    Pet deposits and pet fees
    Massachusetts landlords cannot charge a separate up-front pet fee or a pet deposit beyond the one-month security-deposit cap. M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b)
    Limit on the total security deposit
    One month's rent M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b), (d)
    Nonrefundable fees
    Massachusetts bans nonrefundable move-in charges such as application, cleaning, amenity or pet fees by capping what a landlord may collect at or before move-in. M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b), (4), (8)

    Pet Addendum generator

    The lease

    Usually the date everyone signs, or the day the pet moves in.

    List every tenant on the lease, one per line. Each gets a signature line.

    Pet 1

    Pet 2

    Pet charges

    $

    Leave blank if none. In some states this counts toward a cap on total deposits.

    $

    Leave blank if none. Some states restrict non-refundable fees.

    $

    Leave blank if none. Due with each month's rent.

    Pet rules

    Pet rules that apply
    $

    Recommended. Handle disability-related animal requests separately from your pet policy.

    Blank PDF

    Free, no account needed. Showing example details. Replace them with yours.

    Pet Addendum to Lease Agreement

    This Pet Addendum (the “Addendum”) is part of the lease agreement dated June 1, 2026 between Morgan Rivera (“Landlord”) and Jordan Lee and Casey Lee (“Tenant”) for the property at 123 Maple Street, Unit 4, Springfield (the “Property” and the “Lease”). This Addendum takes effect on November 1, 2026. If this Addendum and the Lease conflict on any matter involving pets, this Addendum controls. All other terms of the Lease stay in effect.

    1. Approved pets

    Landlord consents to Tenant keeping only the pet(s) described below at the Property. Consent covers these animals only and does not carry over to any other or replacement animal.

    Pet 1Pet 2
    Type of animalDogCat
    BreedLabrador mixDomestic shorthair
    NameBiscuitPepper
    Age3 years5 years
    Weight55 lbs10 lbs
    Color / markingsYellow, white chestBlack
    License or tag numberSpringfield tag 20419Not required
    Vaccination infoRabies, given March 10, 2026, expires March 10, 2029Rabies, given January 22, 2026, expires January 22, 2027

    2. Pet deposit, fee and rent

    • Monthly pet rent: $35 per month, due with each monthly rent payment under the Lease, starting on the effective date. Pet rent is in addition to the rent stated in the Lease.

    Paying a pet deposit, fee or pet rent does not limit Tenant's responsibility for damage the pet causes, and Landlord may seek any amount beyond the deposit as the Lease and applicable law allow.

    3. Pet rules

    Tenant agrees to the following rules for each approved pet:

    1. Outside the unit, including in hallways, yards, parking areas and other common areas, the pet must be leashed or carried and under Tenant's control at all times.
    2. Tenant will pick up and properly dispose of pet waste right away, inside and outside the unit, and keep litter boxes, cages and tanks clean and odor-free.
    3. Tenant will not allow the pet to disturb neighbors with repeated or prolonged barking, howling, crying or other noise.
    4. Tenant will not leave the pet unattended for extended periods, and will arrange for its care when Tenant is away overnight or longer.
    5. Tenant is responsible for the cost of any damage, cleaning, odor removal or pest treatment caused by the pet beyond normal wear and tear, and for any injury or damage the pet causes to other people, animals or property.
    6. Tenant will keep the pet vaccinated and licensed as required by local law, and will give Landlord proof on request.
    7. Tenant will keep renter's insurance that includes at least $100,000 of liability coverage for the pet for as long as the pet lives at the Property, and will give Landlord proof of coverage on request.
    8. Landlord may enter the unit to inspect for pet-related damage or rule violations, with notice as required by the Lease and applicable law.
    9. If Tenant or the pet breaks this Addendum, Landlord may give Tenant written notice to correct the problem or remove the pet from the Property, in addition to any other remedy the Lease and applicable law allow.
    10. Tenant will not keep any additional or replacement animal at the Property, including on a temporary or pet-sitting basis, without Landlord's prior written consent.
    11. Pets are not allowed in the shared laundry room.

    4. Assistance animals

    This Addendum does not apply to an assistance animal that a person with a disability requests as a reasonable accommodation. Landlord will consider any such request separately under applicable fair housing law, and the terms of any approved accommodation will be set out separately in writing.

    5. Signatures

    By signing below, Landlord and each Tenant agree to this Addendum. Each party should keep a signed copy with the Lease.

    Landlord signature (Morgan Rivera)
    Date
    Tenant signature (Jordan Lee)
    Date
    Tenant signature (Casey Lee)
    Date

    Made free at make.lease/forms/pet-addendum

    What Massachusetts requires

    Pet deposits and pet fees

    Because § 15B(1)(b) limits up-front payments to first and last month's rent, one deposit capped at a month's rent, and a lock-and-key cost, any pet deposit must fit inside the single one-month deposit. The AG reads the same rule as barring one-time pet fees, while allowing higher monthly rent for pets if disclosed in ads.

    M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b) · checked October 27, 2026

    Limit on the total security deposit

    Landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than one month's rent, and up front may charge only first month's rent, last month's rent, that deposit and the cost of a new lock and key (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b)).

    Security deposit up to the first month's rent (plus first and last month's rent and lock/key cost may be collected up front)

    M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b), (d) · checked October 27, 2026

    Nonrefundable fees

    Up-front charges are limited to first month's rent, last month's rent, a deposit of up to one month's rent and the cost of a new lock and key; since Aug. 1, 2025 the limit also binds the landlord's agent (broker fees). Deposits may be applied only to the deductions listed in § 15B(4), and any lease term conflicting with § 15B is void (§ 15B(8)).

    M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b), (4), (8) · checked October 27, 2026

    The example above leaves the pet deposit and the one-time pet fee blank: set them to fit the Massachusetts rule above, or leave them out. On $1,800 monthly rent, Massachusetts's general cap of one month's rent is $1,800. Whether a pet deposit counts toward that cap or sits on top of it is what the pet rule decides. Charges for an assistance animal are a separate question under the Fair Housing Act; the form's carve-out clause keeps them out of the addendum.

    City and county rules can be stricter than state law, and your lease can require more than the statute does. Use whichever rule gives the tenant more time or protection.

    More for Massachusetts landlords