We recognise the benefits of keeping a pet. Pets provide companionship, comfort and love. Research has shown that pets help reduce stress, prevent heart disease, lower blood pressure and fight depression, but above all, they add joy and health.
We're positive about residents keeping pets, not just cats and dogs. Pets come in all shapes and sizes. If you are thinking about getting a pet, the first thing to do is let us know. Your housing officer or support worker is the best person to speak to.
Very occasionally, we may turn a pet away. This will be in exceptional circumstances, and we will always discuss this with you.
We will not give permission to you keeping any of the following:
• Any breed of dog banned under the 1991 Dangerous Dog Act
• An animal that would require a licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
• Birds of Prey
• Cattle, horses, or livestock
Responsible Pet Ownership
We recognise that most pet owners are responsible and will take an approach to pet ownership that recognises this.
When managed responsibly, pet ownership should not cause any inconvenience to other residents.
As a responsible landlord, we will intervene in cases where pet ownership causes a nuisance.
There are now laws to make sure that if you keep a pet, you care for it properly. This means making sure the pet has a suitable place to live, is given the right food to eat and is protected from pain, suffering injury and disease.
Any tenant neglecting or abusing their pet will be reported to the RSPCA.
Our policy is not rigid regarding the number of pets that a resident may keep within their home. In some instances, it may be appropriate to just have one pet.
We will provide guidance on what is reasonable and reasonable pet ownership, looking at cases on an individual basis.
We are sensitive to the fact that some residents may dislike/fear animals or may be allergic to them, and we therefore ask residents with pets the following:
• Keep dogs on a lead in communal areas and do not leave them barking all day, as this causes a nuisance for other residents or neighbours.
• Not to allow pets to wander in corridors or hallways.
• Pets should be house-trained and must not be permitted to foul in communal areas at any time. If an incident of fouling occurs, the owner must clean up immediately
• Friends or relatives may come to visit and bring their pets with them. Visiting pets are welcome but are expected to keep to the same rules.
• The owner of the pet must comply with the main terms of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which are: “A proper diet, protection from pain, suffering, injury or disease, the ability to exhibit normal behaviour patterns, a suitable environment to live with or apart from other animals”.
We will not allow our customers to have pets if they have been subject to the following:
• A history of animal neglect or cruelty
• A history of nuisance, annoyance, or disturbance as a result of pet ownership
• A customer who has been subject to a time limited or lifetime ban on keeping an animal following a prosecution by the RSPCA.
Before deciding to keep a pet, you should ask the following questions:
• How committed are you to owning and caring for a pet for the rest of its life?
• Can you provide suitable care for your pet in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 2006?
• Does the pet fit with your lifestyle and family circumstances?
• Is your accommodation suitable for a pet?
• How much is it going to cost?
• Can you afford a pet? There will be ongoing costs for food and bedding but what about unexpected costs such as vets’ bills? Pet insurance can help with this.
• Your pet should be microchipped. This is now a legal requirement for all dogs over eight weeks and there is a cost involved.
• What will happen to your pet if you are away from home or on holiday? Have you thought about a responsible person to care for them?
• Could your choice of pet cause a nuisance to your neighbours? Is it worth having a chat with them before you make your final decision?
We recommend seeking advice on pet care from the RSPCA or The Dogs Trust.
Questions & Answers
What is Nuisance Behaviour by a Pet?
The welfare of the pets that live with our customers is important to us. We expect responsible pet owners to ensure their pet does not cause a nuisance or disturbance to others.
While most pets are well behaved, all owners have a responsibility to ensure their pet does not cause a nuisance to others.
Often, it is not the type of pet that will cause a nuisance to neighbours but the way its owner cares and controls it. Pets kept in unhygienic conditions can cause a smell nuisance to neighbours. Dogs left to bark for long periods may be a noise nuisance to people living nearby.
Here are some examples of behaviour that we treat as nuisance:
- Roaming and unattended animals such as dogs.
- Dogs fouling in communal areas/gardens and not being cleaned up immediately.
- Excessive noise such as dogs barking all the time (this is a welfare concern as the dog may not be happy).
- Too many animals kept in a property.
- Unpleasant odours from pets.
- Aggressive animals.
What can we do about nuisance pets?
In most cases, we will try to resolve the issue informally after hearing both sides of the story. Where possible, we apply a pragmatic and person-centred approach. If this does not work, we can take a more formal approach. This can include:
- Involving charitable organisations such as the RSPCA where there is a welfare concern.
- Arrange for a professional mediator to become involved.
- Involve statutory organisations such as the Local Authority.
- Restrict the number of animals kept in a property if this is likely to resolve the problem.
- Take other legal action.
We reserve the right to refuse or revoke permission where we believe that it is likely to cause a nuisance to other residents. We will always work with the customer first to find another solution.
What to do if you suspect an animal is being neglected?
If you suspect that someone is guilty of cruelty or neglect towards an animal, then you should report this to the RSPCA. You should telephone the 24-hour National Cruelty and Advice Line on 0300 1234 9999. The RSPCA will ask you a series of questions and it promises to keep your details confidential.
There is a range of organisations that can provide advice about pet welfare, including information on the Animal Welfare Act, and answer questions, including your vets and the RSPCA.