What does a pet add to your monthly price?
A pet usually adds three costs: monthly pet rent, a one-time pet fee, and sometimes a refundable deposit. On the New Build Board, we add pet rent to true monthly when you tell us you have a pet, and we list the one-time costs in your move-in cash. That way two buildings with different pet policies get compared fairly.
Pet costs vary more than people expect. Two communities a mile apart can charge very different amounts, and some charge per pet.
Which pet costs show up on fee sheets?
| Charge | How it’s billed | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|
| Pet rent | Monthly, often per pet | No |
| Pet fee | One-time, at move-in | Usually not |
| Pet deposit | One-time, at move-in | Usually, minus damage |
| Pet screening fee | One-time, per application | No |
Here’s how it changes the math. Say a building charges monthly pet rent plus a one-time fee. On a 12-month lease, spread the fee over 12 months and add it to the pet rent. That’s the true monthly cost of the pet at that building. Our Pet Cost Check does the math for you, with move-in cash and the lease total.
What breed and weight rules apply?
Rules vary by community, and sometimes by the community’s insurance carrier. Common rules include a pet limit per unit, a weight limit, and a list of restricted breeds. Some newer communities have dropped breed lists. Others still use them. Bring these questions to the tour, along with our tour checklist for a brand-new apartment.
Get the rules in writing
Pet policies change. We ask for the current pet addendum, with limits and restricted breeds, before you apply, so there are no surprises at signing.
What pet amenities do new buildings have?
Many new communities include a fenced dog park and a pet wash station. Some have pet relief areas on upper floors. We list these as building facts and check whether they’re finished, since amenities at a lease-up can open later than the units.
Floor matters too. A ground-floor unit near a door to the dog park can make daily walks easier. Our guide on picking the right unit covers adjacency in more detail.
How do pet costs fit with other fees?
Pet charges sit on top of required fees like bulk internet, valet trash, and pest service. Our guide on required fees covers those. Together, they can add a meaningful amount to the advertised rent.
A worked pet cost example
Here’s how a pet changes the math at one building, using labeled, made-up numbers for a 12-month lease.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly pet rent | $30 |
| One-time pet fee | $300 |
| Refundable pet deposit | $200 |
| Pet fee spread over 12 months | $25 a month |
| Pet cost added to true monthly | $55 a month |
| Added to move-in cash | $500 |
| Pet cost over the lease, before the deposit is returned | $660 |
Two pets often means two pet rents, and sometimes two fees. Some communities cap the total. Others charge less for a cat than a dog. Ask for the pet addendum before you apply, so these lines are in writing.
Pet rent usually carries into year two at renewal, along with your other required fees. So when we show year two beside a special, we include pet rent if you’ve told us you have a pet. That keeps the comparison honest between a building with low pet rent and one with a bigger special.
What about assistance animals?
Assistance animals, including service animals and emotional support animals, are not pets under fair housing rules. Communities generally can’t charge pet rent, pet fees, or pet deposits for them, though you’re still responsible for damage. Each community has a request process, and we’ll help you find it.
Tell us about your pet, including size and breed, along with your move date. We’ll text you within minutes during our hours, then send a same-day shortlist with each building’s pet costs and rules.
