We recognise the benefits of responsible pet ownership, and have put controls in place to prevent animal suffering and nuisance to neighbours.
- Permission to keep a pet
- Healthcare of your pet
- Types of pets allowed in council properties
- Prohibited animals
- Breach of tenancy
Permission to keep a pet
Request permission for new or current pets using our pet application form, providing full details and photographs of your pets.
To request a pet application form contact your Housing Management Officer.
You must wait for written authorisation before getting a pet.
Our policy does not apply to small animals, indoor birds and fish which are kept in a cage or tank.
We can refuse permission if we feel it is unsuitable for you to keep a pet, or if you have a history of animal neglect or current breaches of tenancy.
We can withdraw permission if pets are causing a nuisance or there are health and safety concerns.
Depending on the size of the property, we may restrict the number of animals. We will generally restrict you to no more than 2 per property. See guidance on the types of pets allowed in council properties.
Healthcare of your pet
Dogs must be microchipped, and it is good practice to microchip cats, for their wellbeing and your peace of mind.
We would also suggest both cats and dogs are neutered.
Types of pets allowed in council properties
| Type of property | Type of pet |
|---|---|
| Bedsit with its own entrance/access to garden |
1 small or medium dog, or 2 cats |
| Bedsit with a communal entrance | 1 small dog, or 1 cat |
| Ground floor flat with its own entrance/access to garden |
2 medium dogs, or 1 large dog and 1 cat |
| Ground floor/above floor flat with communal entrance |
1 small dog and 1 cat, or 2 cats |
| Upper floor flat with own entrance | 1 small dog and 1 cat, or 2 cats |
| 1 to 4 bed house | 2 dogs any size, or 1 dog any size and 1 or 2 cats |
| Pet size guidelines | Breed examples |
|---|---|
| Giant breeds (50 to 90 kilograms) | Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, St Bernard, Mastiff |
| Large breeds (30 to 50 kilograms) | Golden Retriever, Labrador, German Shepherds |
| Medium breeds (10 to 30 kilograms) | Collie, Whippet, Lurcher, Staffordshire Bull Terriers |
| Small breeds (less than 10 kilograms) | Yorkshire Terrier, Jack Russel, Chihuahua |
Prohibited animals
It is prohibited to keep certain types of animals as pets in your council property.
Prohibited animals include:
- dogs specified in the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991: Pitbull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasilerio, XL Bully
- animals registered under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
- farm animals or livestock, unless suitable for a domestic environment
- exotic pets such as snakes and spiders, if held without an exotic, dangerous and wild animal licence and if the pet will pose a safety risk to the household or neighbours should it escape
Please note: If you own an XL Bully which you had prior to 31 January 2024, you will need to contact your Housing Management Officer to get pet permission and a certificate of exemption.
Breach of tenancy
In cases where a breach of tenancy occurs, we may treat the case as anti-social behaviour and have to resort to enforcement action.
Examples of a breach may include:
- dogs not being kept on a lead in communal areas
- distressed animals
- propping doors open
- pet fouling in communal or individual gardens that remains uncleared
- dog fouling in neighbours’ gardens
- excessive noise
- pets left alone in a property
- too many animals in a household
- unpleasant odours due to pets
- aggressive animals causing distress
- damage caused to council property
Also see