We have a flexible approach to the keeping of pets, as long as they are well cared for and don't cause nuisance, annoyance or damage to property and the surrounding area.

We recognise that if properly cared for, pets are great companions and can improve the quality of life of our residents.

If you live in a house you do not need our permission to keep a small domestic pet. But we would like you to tell us if you have one.  If you live in a flat or bungalow, you will need our permission before keeping a small domestic pet and we will take into account all individual circumstance before we grant permission or not. But we won't withhold permission unreasonably. Contact us on 01952 217100 if you would like permission to keep a pet.

What do we call a 'Domestic Pet'?
The definition of a domestic pet is a:

• Dog  (excluding those prohibited by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, or any other law)
• Cat
• Bird
• Fish
• Small caged rodent
• Small non poisonous caged reptile
• Non poisonous contained insect or amphibian

This doesn't include any other type of animal or fowl. If you want to keep any other type of pet then you must ask our permission first.

Responsibilities
You also have a responsibility as the owner of the pet to comply with certain conditions. These are:-

• You are responsible for looking after and caring for your pet properly. We'll take any cases of cruelty, mistreatment or neglect seriously and will work with appropriate agencies to remove the pet from the property if appropriate. If this happens you won't be given permission to keep any more pets.
• You are responsible for the behaviour of any pets owned by you or anyone living with you.
• You take all reasonable steps to supervise such pets under your control.
• You take all reasonable steps to prevent such pets causing nuisance, annoyance or danger to neighbours. This includes fouling, noise or smell from any pet.
• You take reasonable care to see that such pets do not foul or cause damage to the house, your neighbour's property, anything belonging to us, or anything we are responsible for, such as common areas of flats.
• Not use the property for the commercial breeding of pets, which is in breach of your tenancy agreement.

If you think a neighbours pet is causing a nuisance, you can call us on 01952 217100 and report what is happening. We'll use our Anti Social Behaviour policy and procedures to try to resolve this.

If you believe that someone's pet is not being cared for, neglected or being treated cruelly, you can report this to an animal welfare agency such as the RSPCA. Detail of local agencies are given in the links on the right hand side of this page. Alternatively you can report it to us on 01952 217100.

For more information on the keeping of pets, please contact your Local Area Shop.