What do pets add to the cost of a new apartment?
You’re adding up the bill, and the pet policy has three different charges. Pet costs come in three forms at most new Houston-area buildings, and each one hits your budget differently. Here’s how to read them, so they show up correctly when you compare pet-friendly new apartments.
The three pet costs
| Cost | How often | Refundable? | Usually per pet? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pet rent | Monthly | No | Yes |
| Pet fee | Once, at move-in | Usually no | Often |
| Pet deposit | Once, at move-in | Sometimes, per the addendum | Often |
Pet rent goes into your true monthly, next to required fees. Pet fees and deposits go into your cash to move in. We keep them separate so the monthly comparison stays fair.
Per-pet math
Most pet charges are per pet. Here’s a hypothetical example to show how it stacks up. Your community’s numbers will differ.
| One dog | Two dogs | |
|---|---|---|
| Pet rent | 1 x monthly pet rent | 2 x monthly pet rent |
| Pet fee | 1 x one-time fee | 2 x one-time fee, or a capped amount |
| Pet deposit | 1 x deposit | Often 2 x, sometimes capped |
So if a building’s pet rent is a modest amount per dog, two dogs double it every month, for the whole lease and often into year two.
Pet rent continues into year two
Pet rent sits outside any special. It doesn’t get a discount in year one, and it can change at renewal.
How to read the pet addendum
The pet addendum is the page that sets the rules and costs. Read it for:
- Which pets are approved, by type, breed, weight and number
- Each cost, and whether it’s per pet
- Refund rules for any deposit, and what counts as pet damage
- Behavior rules, like leashes, noise and waste pickup
- What happens if you add a pet during the lease
Service dogs and assistance animals
Trained service dogs pay no pet fee or deposit under Texas Human Resources Code §121.003(h). Assistance animal requests are reasonable accommodation requests handled by each community under the Fair Housing Act and its own process. We don’t ask about disability and don’t give legal advice; we connect you with the community’s process. Our guide on assistance animals explains how that works.
How pets fit with other fees
At 11 market-rate board buildings, required fees ran $77.62 to $158.06 a month, median $98 (Oct 25, 2026). Pet rent comes on top of that. Our guide on required fees covers the rest of the monthly add-ons.
Move-out and pet damage
Pet deposits, when refundable, are usually returned minus documented pet damage. Common charges include carpet cleaning, scratched doors or blinds, and yard repairs at BTR homes. Dated move-in photos and video help you show what was already there.
Read how the addendum defines “pet damage” and whether a professional cleaning is required at move-out. Some communities charge that regardless of condition.
How do we help?
Send us your pets’ types, number and weights, plus your move date and budget. We’ll get each building’s written pet policy, add pet rent to your true monthly and pet fees to your move-in cash, and read the addendum with you, the same day during hours.