Pet Addendum Help

[Joe Richardson]

I'm closing on my first duplex this Friday and inheriting tenants on both sides. In the south unit the tenants just moved on on February 1 2016. There is not a dog on the lease but the old owner "just found out" they have one. I would like to create an addendum and charge pet rent. My plan would be to have my lawyer involved and so there will be a fee I'm sure. Should the tenant be on the hook for this fee in some way or do I have to chalk it up to bad land lording by the previous owner? Move to the north unit. They have a dog and a cat. Only the dog is on the lease and they put down a $250 refundable deposit when they moved in (for the dog). I'd like to do the same pet rent addendum for the cat. Can I pass along those fees? I'm a first time landlord and plan to meet with the tenants for the first time hopefully this weekend and I really don't want to look foolish. My goal is to set the tone that the lease is king and it's the rules all of us are playing by.

[Brit Foshee]

@Joe Richardson

Seek out an attorney, but you're legally bound by the old lease. The nice thing is that you can always sign a new one. I do this ALL the time.

Go and meet with the tenants. Introduce yourself. Let them know you're the new owner and because you're the new owner, you'll need them to sign new leases. Explain everything to them.

They don't HAVE to sign, but I've never not had them sign.