Yes. If you are looking for a place near Southern Methodist University that uses a pet fee instead of a pet deposit, Teak at the Branch is about 3 miles from SMU and its stated pet policy includes a non-refundable pet fee of $400 per pet plus $30 monthly pet rent per pet, with a maximum of two pets per apartment home. Breed and weight restrictions may apply, so the important next step is confirming that your specific pet qualifies before you apply.
What a pet fee means when you are comparing rentals near SMU
For renters, a pet fee and a pet deposit are not the same thing. A pet fee is typically non-refundable, while a pet deposit may be refundable depending on lease terms and move-out condition. That distinction matters if you are budgeting for move-in near SMU, because two apartments with similar monthly rent can have very different upfront pet costs and very different chances of getting money back later.
In this case, Teak at the Branch publicly states a non-refundable pet fee of $400 per pet and monthly pet rent of $30 per pet. That gives you a clearer budgeting framework than a listing that only says “pet-friendly” without spelling out whether the charge is refundable, recurring, or both. If you are comparing communities near campus, ask each one to break out all three categories separately: one-time pet fee, refundable deposit, and monthly pet rent.
It is also worth paying attention to the total household pet limit. Teak at the Branch allows up to two pets per apartment home, which is useful if you are not moving with just one dog or cat. If you have two pets, your one-time and recurring costs can add up quickly, so comparing communities on rent alone can be misleading.
Another common point of confusion is assuming that “no pet deposit” means there are no pet-related move-in costs. Often it means the community charges a fee instead. If your main goal is to avoid tying up refundable cash in a deposit, that can still be a better fit. If your goal is minimizing total pet cost, you need the full fee and monthly-rent picture before deciding.
How Teak at the Branch fits the SMU part of the question
The SMU piece of your search matters because “near campus” can mean very different things depending on whether you drive, bike, use transit, or just want easier access to university events and appointments. Teak at the Branch is approximately 3 miles from Southern Methodist University, which places it in the general SMU orbit without claiming to be on campus or within walking distance. That is close enough to merit consideration if your priority is staying within a short local radius of the university.
Because this article is about pet costs near SMU, the practical takeaway is that Teak at the Branch gives you one verified answer to both parts of the question: it is near SMU by local apartment-search standards, and it uses a pet fee structure rather than a pet deposit. That can save time when you are filtering listings, especially if you are trying to avoid communities that require a large refundable pet deposit at move-in.
Access patterns still matter. A graduate student, staff member, visiting researcher, or someone who only goes to campus a few times a week may define “works for me” differently than someone who needs to be there early every morning and back late with a dog that needs regular breaks. Before committing, map your likely trips to the exact part of SMU you use most often, because campus destinations vary and entrance, parking, and timing can change the day-to-day feel of the location.
If you want to verify whether the area works for your routine, test it the same way you would actually live it. Check driving directions to your specific SMU building, look at parking options on both ends, and, if transit matters, review the current public transportation trip planner rather than assuming a straight-line distance tells the whole story. “About 3 miles away” is useful, but it is not the same as knowing how your typical school or workday will function with a pet at home.
What pet owners should confirm before applying
The biggest item to confirm is eligibility. Teak at the Branch notes that breed and weight restrictions may apply, which is standard language but still important. If you have a large dog, a breed that is commonly restricted, or a pet with paperwork from a previous landlord or veterinarian, ask for the current written policy before you spend money on an application.
You should also confirm what documentation is required before move-in. The community advises residents to make sure pet fees are paid and required pet paperwork is completed before the pet joins them in the apartment. In practice, that often means vaccination records and other pet information, but the exact checklist should come directly from the leasing office for your household and your pet type.
On-site pet support can matter almost as much as the fee structure. Teak at the Branch is a pet-friendly community with a pet park and pet spa, and its FAQ also mentions dog park and pet relief areas. For a renter near SMU who may spend long hours on campus, those features can make daily care easier by giving you a dedicated place for exercise and cleanup without leaving the property.
Finally, confirm the apartment-level details that affect living with a pet, not just the policy headline. If you want outdoor space, some homes have a private balcony or yard in select units, and that should be verified for the exact apartment you are considering. If you want a smaller or larger layout for a crate, litter setup, or work-from-home routine, available one-bedroom and two-bedroom options can vary by timing, price, and move-in date, so it is best to ask the leasing team which current homes fit your pet setup rather than choosing from a floor plan name alone.
If your main question is whether you can rent near SMU with a pet fee instead of pet deposit, the answer at Teak at the Branch is yes. A practical next step is to call the leasing office at (972) 328-9052 and ask two things at once: whether your specific pet meets the current restrictions, and which currently available homes would best suit your pet routine near SMU.