Welcome Guide for Current Residents

Animals / Pets

Matchbox Animal Policy

Matchbox permits household pets on a case-by-case basis, as determined by the individual owner of each property managed. The maximum number of household pets allowed to occupy a unit is 2 (two). Some properties limit the size of household pets. Many properties do not allow household pets. If you have questions concerning the animal policy for a specific property, please e-mail info@matchboxrealty.com or call 540 434–5150.

Tenants who want to have household pets in their unit must obtain prior approval from their portfolio manager. Service animals, emotional support animals, etc. are reviewed through a separate reasonable accommodation request process.

Matchbox uses a third-party service, PetScreening, to complete onboarding and pet screening for all our Residents. If you have been approved for an animal through PetScreening.com, the Portfolio Manager will provide you an Animal Addendum. Approval through PetScreening.com does not serve as Landlord approval. No animal is approved to occupy the unit until the Animal Addendum has been signed by all required parties.

All tenants are required to complete a PetScreening profile—whether they have a pet, do not have a pet, or have an assistance animal. To begin a PetScreening profile, please visit the Matchbox PetScreening page and select the appropriate profile category.

Approved household pets require an animal deposit, one-time fee, and animal rent payable prior to the issuance of an animal addendum to the lease agreement which must be signed by all tenants on the lease. Unauthorized animals are subject to an Unauthorized Animal Fine; applied per tenant, per occurrence, as stipulated in the Lease.

Animal Rules and Regulations

Tenants are responsible for all policies outlined in Matchbox Rules & Regulations, which supersede any information stated herein. A summary of animal rules and regulations include:

• All animals must have vaccination records and a picture on file with PetScreening.com.

• Animals must remain on a leash when outside the unit.

• Tenants are responsible for properly disposing of animal waste in accordance with city ordinance. Animal Waste Fines may be applied to tenant accounts for any waste left on the premises, per occurrence.

• Animals may not be tied or tethered on the property.

• In response to a call for service, if maintenance is unable to access your dwelling unit due to an unrestrained animal, tenant will be charged for any costs associated with the unfulfilled service trip.

• Tenants are financially responsible for any damage caused by any animals – authorized or unauthorized – including but not limited to clawing, chewing, urine stains or odors, damage to blinds, and issues caused by excessive hair in washers and dryers.

Deposits, Fees and Rent

Animal charges are billed to the responsible tenant* account. The following charges apply, per household pet. Animals weighing up to 35lbs are considered small animals; those weighing 36lbs or more are considered large animals.

Animal Deposit: Small Animal $200, Large Animal $300
Animal Fee: Small Animal $200, Large Animal $300
Animal Rent: Small Animal $35, Large Animal $50

For tenant accounts with multiple animals, the following multi-animal discounts will be applied:
Animal Deposit: $50 discount per animal
Animal Fee: $50 discount per animal
Animal Rent: $5 discount per animal, per billing period (monthly)

*These rates, deposits, fees and discounts are applicable to the animal owner account, not per unit.

Restricted Breeds

Restricted Breeds are determined by Petscreening.com and are defined in section 3.2-6540 of The Code of Virginia. Some breeds may include Rottweiler, American Staffordshire Terrier (Pit Bull), and Doberman.

Removal of an Animal

If an approved animal is removed from the home by choice, force, or death, the deposit remains on the account until the end of the Lease Term when the unit is empty and can be assessed; the non-refundable fee is non-refundable; and removal of rent may take up to 30 days to process following notification to remove an animal from an account.

Service and Emotional Support Animals Policy

Service and Emotional Support animals are allowed at all properties, by law. This allowance does not absolve tenants from responsibility for damage caused by animals.

1. Petscreening.com confirms proper documentation from providers for necessity of ESAs.
2. If approved, tenant will complete an Animal Addendum, and follow the guidelines outlined above.