For Lawyers Pets And Rental Housing Landlords generally have the right to decide whether to allow tenants to have pets. If you own a pet and you are about to sign a lease, you should check with the landlord to see what types of pets, if any, are allowed. If pets are allowed, make sure it's indicated in the lease. This way, the landlord can't later claim you're violating the lease by having a pet. If pets are allowed In some states, if pets are allowed the landlord may request a separate nonrefundable pet deposit to cover any possible damage the pet causes.
Several states have statutes specifically allowing landlords to require such pet deposits.
Work with an experienced lawyer in your state.