Tenancy Management Policy May 2024

The Council recognises the potential benefits of keeping pets. Under the tenancy agreement, tenants are responsible for any pet kept by them and for any animals kept by those residing with them.

The Council will take action against tenants where it is proven that the pet has caused nuisance to local residents and / or damaged property, for example:

• Excessive noise
• Excessive smell
• Fouling in communal areas
• Aggressive behaviour
• Damage to structures and / or possessions.

Tenants must request written permission from the Council to keep any pet at the property. The Council consider granting permission for the following:

• Domesticated dogs
• Domesticated non-feral cats
• Domesticated rabbits
• Budgerigars and other small caged birds
• Fish in domestic aquariums and ponds (permission required for pond)
• Small caged animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters
• Small caged non-poisonous, non-constricting reptiles, insect or amphibian
• Chickens (not cockerels), these are not permitted to be kept on communal land.

Permission will not be granted for the following:

• Dogs defined as dangerous under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
• Livestock such as horses, ponies, game birds or similar animals
• Animals that are defined as wild, dangerous, or poisonous under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
• Any other animal legally prohibited to be kept as pets.

The Council recognise that some properties are more appropriate for keeping certain types of pets than others. Therefore the Council reserves the right to make decisions on each case on merit. Such decisions will not create precedents.

The Council must be satisfied that:

• The number of pets is not greater than can be managed by the tenant or reasonable for the environment
• The pet is considered suitable for the property
• Permission is not required for registered assistance dogs, but the Council will require evidence to support the need for a service dog.

The Council expects tenants to meet the following conditions:

• Make a request for permission in writing to the Council. When a tenant acquires a pet without being granted permission from the Council, they will be required to find an alternative permanent home for the animal if there is reason why permission would not be granted, such as being an animal outside the list of acceptable pets described above
• Keep pets under control and not allow them to behave in an intimidating, aggressive or dangerous manner to anyone else. This includes being kept on a lead in communal areas
• Control pets when Council employees or contractors attend a property, this includes putting dogs/cats in a different room and for caged animals and birds to be returned to their cages for the duration of the visit
• Pet access flaps must not be installed without the prior consent of the Council as these can compromise the fire safety and security of a property. Pet access flaps will not be permitted in fire doors including those in communal areas. Where permission is granted, the door / window must be reinstated as it was originally at the end of tenancy
• The pet must be properly house-trained (if applicable) and must not be allowed to foul communal areas, inside and outside. If any incident of fouling occurs the owner must clean it up and disinfect the area immediately. The owner will be responsible for the cost of cleaning the fouled surface if they fail to do so
• Cats and Dogs must be registered with a local vet and be micro-chipped
• Dogs must wear a collar with a contact tag at all times other than when inside the property
• Ensure that their pets and property are free from fleas, ticks or other pests that could be transferred within the property. Where there is an infestation of fleas or other pests, it will be the tenant's responsibility to treat
• Not to 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. In the cases of rare and exotic creatures, relevant licences must be obtained and shown to our satisfaction. The Council must be satisfied of the proper security of the animal
• Not to breed animals at the property
• Not to tether any livestock on any Council land
• Not to build any animal enclosures without permission
• Not to carry out acts of cruelty to animals - cases will be reported to the RSPCA and/or the Police. Anyone found guilty of mistreating or neglecting a pet will be denied permission to keep pets in the future
• Pets must not cause damage to property owned by the Council, including communal areas. Tenants may be recharged for any repairs which are required because of damage
• Tenants are responsible to ensure that friends and relatives visiting the tenant with their pets comply with this policy.

If a pet owner breaks any of the conditions set out in this policy, the Council will work with the tenant and provide a reasonable period of time to remedy the breach. If necessary, the Council will withdraw permission implied by the tenancy agreement or expressly given and will take appropriate legal action.