Pet Policy & Animal Approval Requirements

Each proposed household pet must be submitted through North State Financial's third-party pet-screening platform, Findigs, before the animal moves into the property. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information requested by the platform, which may include the animal's type, breed or mix if known, age, weight, photograph, vaccination or licensing information where applicable, and behavior or incident history.

The standard screening charge is $25 for each pet. The fee may be collected only if permitted by applicable law, properly disclosed, and consistent with any legal limits or requirements governing application or screening fees. If the charge is not legally permitted for a particular applicant or animal, it will not be imposed.

Completing screening does not itself authorize an animal to live at the property. Written approval from North State Financial and any required signed lease addendum are necessary before the pet is brought onto the premises. Do not assume approval based only on submitting an application or paying a fee.

The handbook's standard pet deposit is $500 for an approved pet. Any deposit must be identified in the lease or pet addendum and is subject to California law, including the applicable cap on the total security deposit that may be collected. The pet deposit cannot be used to exceed a legal limit, and a property may require a lower amount or no additional deposit where necessary to comply with law.

A deposit is not a predetermined damage charge or a waiver of the resident's responsibilities. At the end of the tenancy, any deductions must be lawful, supported by the required accounting, and handled within the time limits required by law. Residents remain responsible for animal-caused damage beyond ordinary wear and tear only to the extent allowed by the lease and applicable law.

The handbook's standard monthly pet fee is $35 per approved pet. If allowed for the property and tenancy, the fee will be stated in the signed lease or pet addendum and is payable with monthly rent. It is a recurring charge for an approved pet and is separate from any lawful security deposit.

No monthly pet fee will be charged unless the charge is permitted by applicable law and properly agreed to in the tenancy documents. The pet fee does not purchase insurance, cover damage, or replace the resident's obligation to clean up after and control the animal.

North State Financial's Tenant Handbook states a baseline renters-insurance liability limit of at least $100,000. For an approved household pet, residents must provide current proof of coverage that includes animal-related liability and property damage where required by the signed lease and permitted by law. Please provide a declaration page or certificate showing the insurer, policy dates, and applicable liability coverage before move-in and again upon renewal or request as permitted.

This requirement concerns liability coverage under renters insurance; it does not mean that pet health insurance is required. Coverage terms and exclusions vary by insurer, so applicants should confirm directly with their insurance provider that the specific animal is not excluded. Any request to list an owner or management as an additional insured must be consistent with the policy form and applicable law.

Insurance requirements for household pets do not apply to a qualifying service animal or other assistance animal where such a requirement would violate fair-housing law. An assistance animal is not treated as a pet for pet-fee, pet-deposit, or pet-screening purposes.

Keeping an unapproved pet, failing to comply with lawful pet rules, or providing materially false screening information may constitute a lease violation. North State Financial will address concerns through notices and other procedures permitted by the lease and applicable law. No fee, penalty, removal demand, or other remedy will be imposed except as legally permitted. Contact management promptly if you believe an animal was incorrectly identified or if you need to discuss a reasonable accommodation.

Pet approval may depend on the property's lawful lease terms, physical characteristics, occupancy conditions, and applicable community rules. Any restrictions must be applied consistently with fair-housing requirements and other applicable law. Before move-in, the resident must receive written confirmation identifying the approved animal(s), any permitted fees or deposit, insurance requirements if applicable, and any additional property-specific conditions.