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  12. Keeping pets

Keeping pets

Keeping pets as a council tenant

As a council tenant, you may need to request our permission to keep a pet. Depending on how long you have been a tenant with us, different rules apply.

  • I was a council tenant before 1 July 2019 - you may keep up to 2 small caged birds, 1 small fish tank or 1 small caged rodent, and up to two dogs and three cats without written permission. You must not keep any other type of animal at the property without prior written permission. Property type and animal type will be taken into account. Any permission given relates to this property only and will be reviewed if you move house.

    You will be required to apply for permission for anything other than 2 small caged birds, 1 small fish tank or 1 small caged rodent when you move house.
     
  • I have been a council tenant since/after 1 July 2019 - you may keep up to 2 small caged birds, 1 small fish tank or 1 small caged rodent without written permission. You must not keep any other type of animal at the property without prior written permission. Property type and animal type will be taken into account. Any permission given relates to this property only and will be reviewed if you move house.
     
  • I am a tenant in a flat or bedsit - tenants living in flats or bedsits with a communal entrance will not be given permission to have dogs unless the animal is recognised as an official support companion.

Please complete an online application to request permission to keep a pet or contact us.

If we give you permission to keep pets, please remember that the permission is for your current address only. If you move house, you must request permission for the new address if you wish to keep any animals again.

Rules about pets for all tenants

You are responsible for ensuring your pet does not cause a nuisance. We can withdraw permission for you to keep a pet if it causes a nuisance or annoyance to your neighbours and you will be expected to find a new home for your pet immediately. You must not:

  • breed animals at the property
  • keep any breed of dangerous dog as per section 1(1) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, or keep any illegal breed of animal as per Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 or similar
  • tether any livestock on any Council land
  • allow any animal to cause a nuisance, annoyance or disturbance to neighbours or others lawfully in the locality of your home
  • allow any animal to behave in an intimidating, aggressive or dangerous manner
  • carry out acts of cruelty to animals - cases will be reported to the RSPCA or the police
  • build any animal enclosures without our permission.

Please note: permission will not be given to keep cockerels. 

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