What does it cost to rent a new apartment with a pet?
Pets add three kinds of charges at most new Austin buildings: a one-time pet fee, a pet deposit, and monthly pet rent, usually per pet. Monthly pet rent goes straight into your true monthly, just like a required fee, and over a 12-month lease it often costs more than the one-time charges combined. Tell us about your pets on the form, and we’ll filter and price buildings around them.
Pet deposit vs. pet fee vs. pet rent
| Charge | When you pay | Refundable? | Where it shows up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pet deposit | At move-in | Yes, less damage | Move-in cash |
| Pet fee | At move-in | No | Move-in cash |
| Pet rent | Every month | No | True monthly |
Some communities charge a deposit and a fee, some only one. Pet rent is almost always monthly and per pet. Read the pet addendum: it lists each charge, the number of pets allowed, and the rules.
Example math
At $25 a month per pet, two pets add $50 a month, or $600 over 12 months. Add that to true monthly before you compare buildings.
Breed, weight, and number rules
New buildings set their own rules, and they differ:
- Number of pets, often two per unit
- Weight limits, sometimes per pet or combined
- Breed restrictions, which some communities have and others don’t
- Species: dogs and cats are common; others vary
- Vaccination and registration records at move-in
If your dog is large or a breed some communities restrict, say so on the form. We check the written pet policy before you tour so you don’t spend an afternoon on buildings that won’t accept your pet.
Finished vs. not yet open
Dog parks, pet wash stations, and walking paths are common amenities at new buildings, but they’re often among the last things finished in a lease-up. If they matter to you, ask for open dates in writing. Our guide to moving into a building that’s still finishing lists the questions to ask.
Unit location matters too. A ground-floor unit or one near an exit door makes early walks easier. Ground floor is one of the must-haves on our form.
Assistance animals
Assistance animals, including service animals and support animals, are not pets under fair housing rules. Communities can’t charge pet rent, pet fees, or pet deposits for them, though they can ask for appropriate documentation in some cases. You’re still responsible for any damage. If you have an assistance animal, tell us and we’ll confirm the community’s process in writing.
Would a build-to-rent home fit better?
If you have a large dog or more than one pet, a yard can matter more than a dog park. Build-to-rent homes with yards are new detached homes or townhomes leased like apartments. They charge pet rent too, but the private yard changes daily life. Compare them on true monthly, including any yard maintenance fee.
Add pets to your budget
Pet rent belongs in your all-in number. Our all-in budget guide shows where it fits: net effective, required fees, electric, water, parking, and pet rent. Send us your pets’ details on the form, and we’ll return buildings that accept them with every pet charge confirmed in writing.
