Tenant Handbook - moving

If you want to keep a pet in your home, you must get our written permission.

This needs to be done before you house any animal in your property or garden, including but not limited to:

• cats
• dogs
• livestock
• and reptiles

The request should be emailed to neighbourhoods@welhat.gov.uk or posted to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Campus East, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6AE.

Only when this has been received, and all conditions met to the satisfaction of the council, will written permission be granted for a pet to be kept.

We will not withhold permission if you require a guide dog or other assistance pet but you will still need to let us know they are in your home.

The following factors will be considered when deciding whether to grant permission for a pet:

• The size and type of animal – dogs listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and any animal listed in the Schedule of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 may not be kept.
• The size and type of property.
• Proximity to outside space.
• The health and ability of the resident to provide the level of care required for the animal.
• Any other animals already in your home.
• The impact of the animal on neighbouring residents.
• The impact on the condition or safety of the home, including overcrowding and fire safety.
• Any previous problems within your household relating to pet ownership or antisocial behaviour which may give rise to concerns about your ability to look after a pet in an appropriate manner.

For permission to be granted, we also expect you to provide confirmation that the following conditions can be met:

• A contingency plan is in place whereby a family member / friend will re-house your pet should you have to temporarily leave the property or you become incapable of providing the level of care required for the pet.
• You agree to make good any damage caused to the property by your pet.
• If appropriate to the animal, the pet is micro-chipped and registered with a local veterinary surgery, PDSA or animal welfare centre.
• You are responsible for the health and welfare of your pets. Routine healthcare must include regular control of parasites (fleas and worms), vaccination and neutering where appropriate.
• You must ensure your pet is suitable and trained for their accommodation (i.e. cats must be litter trained and dogs house trained).
• The control of your pet and any animals visiting the property are your responsibility.
• They must never be allowed outside the boundary of your property on their own – this includes communal balconies, gardens, stairwells, and corridors.
• If your pet fouls in the communal gardens or outside communal space, you must clear up after it immediately and responsibly dispose of the waste.
• In our independent living accommodation, pets are not allowed in communal socialising areas e.g. communal lounges, kitchens, craft areas and exercise rooms.
• Animals should not cause harm or concern to a visiting member of WHBC staff or any of their contractors.
• If we give permission for a pet and you do not obtain this pet within six months, you are required to make a fresh request.

How long will it usually take to approve your request?

We will aim to provide an answer to your request within 10 working days.

In more complicated cases it could take up to 28 days.

If you were offered a new home via our choice-based lettings system, we will provide an answer to your request within three working days, in more complicated cases this may take up to 10 days.

If you are unhappy with the way we have dealt with your request, you can follow our complaints policy.

Withdrawal of permission

Permission to keep your pet may be withdrawn by the council if:

• We receive complaints about your pet from neighbours or staff which is evidenced as nuisance, such as a dog barking excessively, and which cannot be resolved satisfactorily.
• You are found to be keeping animals for commercial breeding purposes, or you allow your property to be used for such purposes.
• You are found to be in breach of any of the conditions around the keeping of animals set out in your tenancy agreement.
• Your animal harms or presents as harmful to other residents, the general public or a member of WHBC staff or their contractors.
• You have too many pets in your home.

Please note the breach of any tenancy conditions could result in us taking enforcement action, including repossession of your home.

For more information about our pet policy or to request a permission form, see our Pet Policy or contact your Neighbourhood Officer on 01707 357 796 or neighbourhoods@welhat.gov.uk.