We’ve been consulting with residents to update our guidance on pets in our homes.
We want to ensure our approach is fair and based on responsible pet ownership, as well as supporting residents who own or want to own pets.
We’ll consider pet ownership in each individual case, and you should always talk to us for advice when considering a pet to make sure you follow the terms of your tenancy.
We can help you with things to consider when owning a pet to ensure its health and wellbeing, such as:
- The size and location of your home.
- Space for your pet to exercise and go to the toilet.
- Your own priorities and ability to care for you pet to meet its needs.
- Extra costs – things like food, equipment, insurance, and vet’s bills
Our new guidance covers things like how many pets you can have, registering your pet at the vets, pet insurance and how to get in touch with local organisations that give you help guidance and support with your pet.
Residents are legally responsible for the health and safety of any pet, making sure it has the right environment, diet, behaves well, and is protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease. Animals that need to live with, or apart from other pets should also be considered.
Our guidance sets out the which dog breeds are banned in the UK, including then new ban on XL Bully dogs unless exempt which was brought in on 1 February 2024.
We want you and your pet to live happily in your home and our guidance covers taking care of your pet and ensuring your pet doesn’t cause nuisance in your neighbourhood and to be mindful of others and how we deal with complaints and nuisance and what potential tenancy action we could take.
You can find our new Pet Guidance, as well as our updated Pets Policy here.
