Pet policy

This Pet Policy outlines the conditions under which tenants may keep pets in the property in order to protect the condition of the property and the welfare of any pets.

The landlord reserves the right to make reasonable changes to this Pet Policy as they see fit from time to time.

By keeping a pet at the property, the tenant accepts the terms and conditions in this Pet Policy.

1. How to ask for consent to keep a pet

Tenants must obtain prior written consent from the landlord before keeping a pet at the property, and follow the process set out in Section 16A of the Housing Act 1988.

Tenants must do this in writing (for instance by email), providing details of the pet and a photo, together with explaining how they intend to look after the pet while they’re working if relevant.

If new or prospective tenants wish to have a pet, they must obtain consent from the landlord before signing the tenancy agreement. As well as providing the above information, they may have to provide a reference for their pets from their former landlord if requested by the landlord.

Tenants who wish to obtain an additional pet after moving into the property must apply for permission in writing to the landlord, in advance, following the process set out in Section 16A HA88.

The landlord reserves the right to refuse a request for an additional or a new pet, even if the original pet dies or is no longer at the property. If a tenant obtains an additional or a new pet without prior permission, this may be treated as a breach of the tenancy agreement.

Tenants may not keep any animal listed in the schedule of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 at the property. Furthermore, tenants may not keep any dog listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 at the property.

2. Looking after pets during the tenancy

Pet welfare is very important. Tenants are responsible for their pets in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act. If the landlord believes that a pet kept in the property has been neglected or abandoned, they will report it to an appropriate animal welfare organisation. This will also be treated as a breach of the tenancy agreement, which can lead to eviction.

Tenants must not leave their pets in the property when they are away unless clear and appropriate arrangements have been made for their care.

Dogs should not be left alone in the property for more than 5 hours at a time. Tenants must ensure that their dogs will not cause damage to the property if they are left unsupervised.

Any pets kept at the property must be vaccinated and regularly treated for fleas and worms (if appropriate). Tenants are responsible for keeping all areas of the property clean and free from parasites, such as fleas.

Tenants must ensure their pets do not cause a nuisance to neighbours. This includes excessive noise such as barking and whining. Dogs must be kept under control and on a lead in any public places, communal areas and walkways. If a pet does cause a nuisance to neighbours, the landlord will consider this to be a breach of the tenancy agreement.

Tenants may not breed animals or offer for sale any animal in the property.

3. Looking after the property during the tenancy

Pets must not be allowed to foul inside the property, except for caged pets (eg hamsters) and pets (such as cats) which are trained to use a litter tray. Pet faeces must be removed immediately from the garden or outside areas and disposed of safely and hygienically.

If a pet causes damage to the property during the tenancy, the tenant agrees to inform the [landlord/letting agent] as soon as possible. The tenant agrees to put right any damage at their expense within a reasonable time of the [landlord/letting] asking the tenant to do it.

4. At the end of the tenancy

At the end of the tenancy, tenants with pets agree to take particular care to ensure pet hairs and pet odours are removed from the carpets by thorough carpet cleaning.

They also agree to carry out a deep clean of the property to a professional standard.