Rice Real Estate, LLC (RRE) is a pet-friendly management company. Our properties are owned by individual owners so certain properties may have further restrictions in addition to the standard pet policy. Individual owners may have additional restrictions above and beyond the FIDO score pricing notification. If you have more than two pets, or a special situation, please contact our office and we can provide additional guidance.

Standard Policy

Tenants may keep up to two (2) pets with a total combined weight of less than 100 pounds. The pets may not be on our restricted breeds list (Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Akita, Mastiff breeds, Chow Chow, American Staffordshire Terrier, powerful mixed breeds). The Tenants and Landlord must execute a Pet/Animal/Service Animal Agreement amendment to the Lease Agreement to keep a pet. Each profile will need to be renewed annually at the Tenant’s expense.

We use a third-party service, PetScreening, to ensure all applicants understand how to adhere to the property’s pet and animal policies, even if you do not have a pet or animal. Everyone must complete the screening process. This is not only for pet and animal owners but also for residents and applicants that DO NOT own a pet or animal. Petscreening.com issues a FIDO score for pets. All approved pets are subject to a minimum one-time pet acceptance fee between $100.00-$300.00, per pet based on the FIDO score.

PetScreening is a simple and secure way to manage important information about your Pet or Assistance Animal. If you have No Pet or Animal you are required to complete the screening process at no charge ($0) to acknowledge applicable no pet policies. The per pet application fee is $25 for the first pet and $15 for every additional pet. Each pet profile must be processed separately but the multi-pet discount will be automatically applied to any additional pet profiles processed.

There is no charge ($0) for submitting a reasonable accommodation request for an assistance animal. It will be reviewed by a legal review team per the FHAct guidelines. Please be aware of your state’s statutes or local ordinances, if any, for criminal offenses and/or penalties for committing assistance animal fraud.

Monthly Pet Fee

The monthly pet fee varies based on the FIDO score from Pet Screening. The FIDO score ranges between 5-paw (lowest risk) down to 0-paw (highest risk) and is included with each Household Pet Profile. Authorized pets will be charged fees based on a FIDO score for each pet. The FIDO score is an algorithmic number that measures the housing-related risk of each pet. The FIDO score is directly linked to the information that was entered into the PetScreening.com website.

*We always accept emotional support and service animals with proper documentation. ESAs and service animals are not subject to any fees or deposits.

5 Paw rating = $15 pet fee

4 Paw rating = $20 pet fee

3 Paw rating = $25 pet fee 

2 Paw rating = $75 pet fee or missing or expired pet screening

1 Paw rating = $100 pet fee 

0 paw rating will not be considered compatible with our rental properties: Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Akita, Mastiff breeds, Chow Chow, American Staffordshire Terrier, powerful mixed breeds.

At the time of each lease renewal, Tenants are required to renew their www.petscreening.com profile. If the tenant fails to update their profile, the monthly fee will default to $75.  PetScreening.com is an independent database and changes can only be made by the Tenant. Rice Real Estate, LLC cannot change any pet information.

Additional Pets or Excess Weight

If the Tenant has more than two (2) pets, the pet is less than 12 months old, or the pets’ weight exceeds 100 pounds, RRE will review the pet approval on a case-by-case basis. If special approval is granted, an additional security deposit up to one-third of the base monthly rent may be required. This additional security deposit amount is due at move-in.

Pet Fee Surcharges

• Puppies & Kittens (under 1 year) may be allowed with an additional surcharge
• Any pet or animal over 100 lbs in weight
• 3 or more pets

Assistance Animals

Rice Real Estate, LLC has engaged PetScreening.com to review and verify all tenant requests for accommodations for assistance animals. Rice Real Estate, LLC and our third-party screening company follow the Fair Housing Act (FHAct) guidelines on reasonable housing accommodation requests for assistance animals. A letter dated within the year and drafted by any of your medical health care provider(s)/professional(s), may be uploaded for PetScreening.com to verify. There is no charge to submit an accommodation request through PetScreening.com. When PetScreening.com approves an accommodation request, there will be no pet charges from Rice Real Estate, LLC. If PetScreening.com denies an accommodation request, the tenant will be responsible for pet fees and deposits outlined in this document and the lease agreement.

Pet Insurance (same as Renter’s Insurance)

Renter’s Insurance is a considered factor through PetScreening.com and a requirement of the lease.

How do I increase my pets FIDO score?

Great question! Rice Real Estate, LLC recommends annual visits with your local veterinarian to ensure your pet(s) are up to date on all vaccines and flea/tick/heartworm medications – you can update pet profile(s) as needed with updated information. If your pet is younger than one year old, this could lower their score automatically; please refer to PetScreening.com for more information. Always review your pet profile for missing information.