Pets
We know that pets are important to people, so if you want to keep a pet in your home please read the information below then apply through our customer portal and smartphone app by clicking this button. Apply now
What we will consider when giving permission to keep pets:
- The type of property you live in
- The size of the garden
- The breed, size & temperament of your pet
- Whether your pet has special needs, such as room to exercise or a special shelter
A home visit by a Housing Officer may be needed before permission can be given.
Any applications for pets you already have without permission may be refused if the property is considered to be unsuitable or complaints have been previously made about the animal
For flats and sheltered housing, we will take account of other factors because of how close together the properties are. We need to consider if:
- The pet(s) the tenants want to keep is appropriate to the size of the flat and the facilities available
- There is direct access from the flat to the outside, especially for dogs and cats (this is particularly important for flats above ground floor)
- The flat has a garden or access to open space outside the home
- In addition to the above, we shall consider the following in relation to specific types of animals:
If your home is in a sheltered or supported scheme, there are extra thing we will consider. More detail about this is in our Pets Policy
Why permission may be refused:
- The property & facilities are unsuitable for your type of pet, such as wanting a large dog in a small flat without access to outside space
- If you already have a pet without permission & there have already been complaints about it
Pet types
Keeping animals in sheltered housing
LHP has some additional requirements/criteria for sheltered and supported housing because of its specific nature
LHP does not have a blanket ‘no pets allowed’ policy for sheltered housing. It recognises research which has shown the benefits of owning a pet and the ways in which they can be good for an individual’s wellbeing. It also understands the distress caused at having to get rid of a pet in order to move into sheltered housing. At the same time, LHP must take account of other residents who live in close proximity and who may be elderly and vulnerable
LHP will therefore consider requests for the keeping of pets in sheltered schemes with a strong emphasis on responsible pet ownership
In line with general policy requirements, residents or potential residents of sheltered and supported housing must first seek written permission to keep a pet. In addition, they must agree:
- Not to allow the pet to wander corridors or hallways
- Dogs are regularly walked and exercised
- Cats are given access to the outside and/or provided with a litter tray inside the property (not communal areas)
- The pet is house trained
- To accept any special provisions or requirements identified within the assessment and/or support plan
Tenants are required to give us details about:
- Another person willing to take care of the pet in the event the tenant is unable to do so, e.g. illness, holidays, or hospital admission
- The type of pet and the pet’s name
- Vet’s details – all pets will be required to be registered with a local vet
- The pet’s microchip details, if applicable. Mandatory for all dogs
- The names and contact details of an individual who will be used as an emergency contact where a pet needs temporary care or rehoming
- Someone, or an organisation such as the Cinnamon Trust (prior arrangements will have to be made), who will take over ownership of the animal should the need arise
- Where the nominated person is unable to take care of a pet, LHP reserves the right to place the animal in suitable accommodation and recharge the tenant
Sheltered and supported housing residents must also recognise and accept their responsibilities to other residents, for example the owner should:
- Clean up after their pet
- Pay for any damage or injury caused by the pet
- Control any aggressive or noisy behavior. Dogs must be on a leash when in communal areas
- Minimise the risk of other residents/staff tripping over the animal or feeling uncomfortable because of the animal
- Not leave food bowls or litter trays in communal areas
- Ensure that any guests also follow these guidelines
Tenants' Responsibilities
- The tenant(s) has a responsibility for any pet or animal owned by him/her or by anyone living with or visiting them
- The tenant(s) will be responsible for looking after and caring for the pet properly. LHP will take any cases of cruelty or neglect seriously and will work with appropriate agencies to remove the pet if necessary. If this happens permission will be withdrawn. This will include precautionary measures for the pet’s wellbeing and good health where necessary. For example:
- Treatment for fleas, worms and other parasites
- Bathing, cleaning and grooming
- The provision of proper bedding
- Vaccination where appropriate
- Providing water and proper food
- The tenant(s) will be required to take all reasonable steps to supervise animals under their control or visiting their home
- The tenant(s) will take all reasonable steps to prevent any animals from causing nuisance, annoyance or danger to neighbour This includes fouling, noise and smells
- The tenant(s) will take all reasonable care to ensure that any pets do not cause damage to the property, anything belonging to LHP or for which we are responsible, such as communal areas of flats, gardens and grassed areas
- The tenant(s) will not use the property for the commercial breeding of pets, unless they have our permission to do so. Conditions of the Tenancy Agreement relating to the running of a business from an LHP property also apply
- Any construction of outside accommodation, other than a hutch and exercise pen for small mammals, such as rabbits or guinea pigs, must first be agreed in writing with the submission of plans and details of construction. This will usually be done at the time of applying for permission to keep the pet(s), examples would be chicken coops, aviaries, pigeon lofts
