Rice Real Estate & Property Management (RRE) is a pet-friendly management company. Individual owners own our managed properties so specific properties may have further restrictions besides the standard pet policy. Individual owners may have additional restrictions above and beyond the FIDO score pricing guide. If you have more than two pets or a unique situation, please get in touch with our office, and we can provide additional guidance. We follow HUD, ADA, FHAct resources.

A welcoming environment is paramount to all of our residents. To help ensure ALL of our residents understand our pet and animal-related policies, everyone must complete an affidavit for either a pet profile, a “no pet” profile, or a request for accommodation for an assistance animal (following HUD/FHAct Guidelines). This process ensures we have formalized pet and animal-related policy acknowledgments and more accurate records to create greater mutual accountability. With documentation following HUD/FHAct Guidelines, service, emotional support, and therapy animals are exempt from restrictions, pet deposits, and pet fees.

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). To keep a pet, the Tenants and Landlord must execute a Pet/Animal/Service Animal Agreement amendment to the Lease Agreement. 

All approved pets are subject to a minimum one-time pet acceptance fee between $100.00-$300.00, per pet.

There is no charge for submitting a reasonable accommodation request for an assistance animal. It will be reviewed per the FHAct guidelines. 

Monthly Pet Fee

The monthly pet fee varies based on the FIDO score. The FIDO score ranges from 5-paw (lowest risk) 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 measures each pet’s housing-related risk. The FIDO score is directly linked to the information entered into the rental application.

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

5 Paw rating = $5 pet fee

4 Paw rating = $5 pet fee

3 Paw rating = $10 pet fee

2 Paw rating = $75 pet fee

1 Paw rating = $100 pet fee 

0 pet 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.

Additional Pets or Excess Weight

If the Tenant has more than two (2) pets, the pet is less than 12 months old, or the pet’s weight exceeds 100 pounds, RRE will review the pet approval on a case-by-case basis. If special authorization is granted, an additional security deposit of 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 and kittens (under one year) may be allowed with an additional surcharge
• Any pet or animal over 100 lbs in weight
• Three or more pets

Assistance Animals

Rice Real Estate & Property Management reviews all tenant requests for accommodations for assistance animals. Rice Real Estate & Property Management follows 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 via the rental application or our website for review. There is no charge to submit an accommodation request. When an accommodation request is approved, Rice Real Estate & Property Management will not charge you any deposits or fees for the animal. If the accommodation request is denied, the tenant will be responsible for pet fees and deposits outlined in this document and the lease agreement.

How do I increase my pet’s FIDO score?

Great question! Rice Real Estate & Property Management recommends annual visits with your local veterinarian to ensure your pet(s) are current on all vaccines and flea/tick/heartworm medications. You can update your pet profile(s) with updated information via this link on our website: Upload Resident Files via Rice Real Estate & Property Management’s website form.

If your pet is younger than one year old, this could automatically lower its score.