Pets Policy

2. Scope

2.1 This policy lays out our approach to pet ownership and relates to B3Living’s Customers, where we manage tenancies or leases on behalf of another organisation or agency, these will be subject to the landlord’s own policies.

3. Aims and objectives

This policy intends to

► Give relevant information to Customers on being a responsible pet owner, including how to apply for permission.

► Deliver a consistent approach to pet ownership, permitting Customers to responsibly enjoy the benefits of owning a pet. 

► Ensure that owning and keeping a pet in one’s home does not negatively impact on the right of others to enjoy their homes, neighbourhoods and communities

4. Permission Guidance

4.1 We want to ensure that Customers have access to information relating to pet ownership, permission, conditions and what is expected of them.

4.2 We want to ensure everyone understands that having pets in our properties is a not a guaranteed right. This will be clearly communicated during viewings, signups, and in all our adverts.

4.3 B3Living will normally grant permission for the following:

► Rabbits
► Cats. No more than 2 cats.
► Small birds that live in cages and only fly free inside the property
► Fish (in a tank). For a fishpond application, we would require a plan, and this would need to be checked and decided on by one of our surveyors.
► Domestic rodents, such as hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rats and mice, but they must be kept in suitable cages.
► Reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, to the exception of those where a licence is required to own them. We reserve the right to refuse permission for larger tropical reptile cages, tanks and terrariums, which require significant additional heating, as they could cause risk of fire safety 
► Dogs: No more than two dogs and depending on conditions being met.
► In a household with already one dog or a cat, only one of the other would be permitted.

4.4 B3Living will not granting permission for the following:

► Dogs that can be used as weapon and dogs specified in the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended, 2023). The dogs concerned are:

• • • 4.4.1 The pit bull terrier: section 1(1)(a)
    • 4.4.2 The Japanese Tosa: section 1(1)(b)
    • 4.4.3 The Dogo Argentino: section 1(1)(c) and the Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) Order 1991 (SI 1991/1743)
    • 4.4.4 The Fila Brasileiro: section 1(1)(c) and the Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) Order 1991 (SI 1991/1743)
    • 4.4.5 The XL Bully dog: section 1(1)(c) and the Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) (England and Wales) Order 2023/1164 (“the 2023 Order”).
    • 4.4.6 Any cross breeds of the above four breeds are also not permitted. Up to date information on banned breeds can be obtained from the DEFRA (Department for Environment, Foods and Rural Affairs) or CPS (Crown Prosecution Services) websites.

4.5 Any animals which, under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, must be licensed. This includes certain types of venomous snake, spiders, monkeys, etc (this is not an exhaustive list). A full list of animals requiring a license under the Act can be found on DEFRA website.

4.6 Pigeons. Even if the applicant is a registered member of the Racing Pigeon Association, we will not give permission for them to be kept in our properties.

4.7 Farm animals, such as sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, horses, donkeys, ducks or similar types of animals. Permission may be granted to keep up to two (2) chickens (hens) for residing in a house with their own enclosed garden, providing that they have appropriate facilities. Thus, chicken feed must be stored securely, as they can attract rats, which are prejudicial to health. Where conditions are not met, there will be no permission, or where one was granted, we reserve the right
to revoke it without notice.

4.8 No permission will be granted for cockerels.

4.9 Another cat or dog, where the household already has 2 dogs or 2 cats or a dog and a cat.

4.10 Where there is an ongoing difficulty or problem with pet ownership in a household (where reports of nuisance or annoyance from pet are stemming from), or there had been a history of bad ownership.

4.11 In some circumstances, due to fire and safety (including potential impact on the security and structure of a door), we will not grant permission to have cat or dog flaps installed.

5. Conditions for keeping a pet

5.1 Conditions for keeping pets are generally set out in the tenancy agreement, but for avoidance of doubt, the following will apply and detailed clearly in the pet permission letter:

► Customers must not keep a pet without obtaining prior permission from B3Living.

► Pets – whatever type or size they are – must be kept under control at all times in communal areas or in public.

► Pets must not cause nuisance, annoyance or be a danger to persons or other animals.

► Running a business, such as breeding animals or operating a boarding kennels from one of our properties is not permitted.

► Customers, owners of an XL Bully breed of dog, who had the dog prior to 1st February 2024, and had obtained permission, from us (B3Living), to keep the dog, must fully comply with the 2023 amendments to the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. They must have a valid Certificate of Exemption and ensure that it is muzzled and, on a lead, while in public areas and communal areas.

► All dogs (including assistance dogs) must wear a collar and I.D tag to comply with current legislation and be kept on a lead in communal areas at all times.

► No pet should be kept – including dogs, cats and other animal that would need to be tethered or chained up – on balconies or in communal areas to avoid risks of falling, strangulation, or suffering from extreme weather conditions.

5.2 Where an animal is required to provide emotional support to assist with health and wellbeing – for example psychiatric service dog – we will request confirmation, in writing, based on the diagnosis, from the appropriate medical practitioner, not GP (general practitioner).

5.3 Customers who are registered blind and rely on trained assistance dogs are legally exempt from the responsibility of cleaning up their dog's faeces in communal areas.

5.4 B3Living will encourage customers to find means to clean up or removing their dog's faeces from communal areas. In circumstances where this is not possible, customers must notify their landlord.

6. Application

6.1 When intending to keep a pet, customers will be required to fill in an application form (Appendix A).) requesting permission to keep a pet, sign it and return it to us.

6.2 Prospective customers would be expected to indicate, in their application form, if they intend to keep a pet. Doing so would not prejudice their application, unless they plan to keep a pet for which permission cannot be granted. In such case, we would want the matter resolved before sign-up could take place.

6.3 A non-signed application form will not be accepted, and the matter will be considered as closed.

6.4 We will respond to your application within 28 working days of receiving it. we cannot grant permission over the phone.

6.5 Applying does not mean that permission is granted, or the applicant should go ahead and bring a pet into their home.

6.6 For dogs, where permission can be granted, the applicant will be invited to sign the Responsible Dog Owner Agreement.

6.7 Where a permitted pet is re-homed, sold or upon death, permission would again be required, if the tenant or resident wished to have a new one.

6.8 We generally grant permission to keep a pet if you live in a house, maisonette, bungalow, or a flat with its own entrance and direct access to a garden. We will not unreasonably refuse permission, and all applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, unless there is a history of issues with pet ownership.

6.9 If customers live above others and do not have their own entrance or direct access to a garden, we generally cannot grant permission to keep a pet. However, exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis for customers with a proven history of responsible pet ownership and no previous complaints. Where permission to keep a pet is declined, reasons for refusal will be set out in writing.

6.10 When making decisions, we reserve the right to consider the building requirements (layout, size, construction type; etc.); the management requirements of an estates; the impact on local environment, etc.

7. Nuisance and Annoyance

7.1 Nuisance and annoyance caused by any pet, including excessive and continued dog barking or whining will be treated as any other case of anti-social behaviour, resulting in a thorough investigation taking place.

7.2 If we determine that nuisance or annoyance has occurred, or is likely to occur, we will first request that the customer take steps to rectify the issue. If the customer fails to comply with this request, Permission will be revoked, and customers will be required to re-home the pet. B3Living will consider legal actions, including applying for an injunction order.

7.3 We consider any of the following to constitute pet nuisance (not an exhaustive list):

► Fouling in gardens, internal and external communal areas, where animal faeces or urine are not cleaned up immediately.
► Loud or persistent noise or barking that disturb other residents.
► Pets not being kept under proper control, including dogs not being on a lead in communal areas.
► Dogs acting dangerously, or out of control in a communal and public spaces
► Pets that roam and cause nuisance to neighbours or escape from their owners.
► Pets being kept in unhygienic conditions, where this may pose a health and safety risks to others.
► Over-population of pets within a household or keeping more than the number permitted.
► Unpleasant odours due to owners failing to clean-up after their pets.
► Customers keeping windows (their own and communal) and communal entrance doors ajar, to allow their pet to go in and out.
► Using one’s pet to threaten, menace, intimidate or attack others and, or other animals.

7.4 We will work closely with partner agencies (local authorities, the police, Customers and community organisations) to help and assist residents, but to also tackle cause and effect of anti-social behaviour in communities.

7.5 Anyone keeping a dog, in their home, without permission from us, should know that they are in breach of their tenancy agreement and, where we are satisfied that nuisance and annoyance has been caused, we would consider taking enforcement actions.

8. Safety and Repairs

8.1 The safety and well-being of staff members is paramount and, knowing that pets can be disturbed by strangers coming into their home, we may, where appropriate, request that Customers keep their pet in another room during a visit, to eliminate any risk.

8.2 Customers with assistance dogs will not be asked to move them to another room, as these dogs are working. Staff should not pet or distract assistance dogs from its duties. However, if an assistance dog becomes violent or misbehaves, staff should ask the handler to control the dog.

8.3 Members of staff may decide not to enter a property where they feel they may be at risk of because of the presence of a pet.

8.4 Pet owners would be asked to repair, professionally or to an acceptable standard, any fixture – within or around B3Living’s property – damaged by their pets. If they fail to do so and were the repairs carried by us, we reserve the right to recharge them to the tenant/resident.

8.5 We will report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect to relevant agencies.

9. Equality, diversity and inclusion

9.1 We are sensitive to the needs and requirements of Customers, who are registered blind or deaf or have other disabilities and who may need support from trained assistance animals and will provide a welcoming environment at our premises and offices for assistance dogs accompanying their handlers.

9.2 To comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, we will work with, support and assist Customers requiring guide dogs and, where needed, work with appropriate organisations to ensure proper arrangements are made.

10. Data protection and information security

10.1 This policy will be operated in line with B3Living’s Data Protection policy which sets out B3Livings commitment and approach to data protection.

11. Customer voice

11.1 We are committed to ongoing evaluation and review of our policies and practices, to identify areas of improvement and ensure alignment with best practices.

11.2 We actively seek feedback from customers, including individual from diverse communities to inform our services delivery

11.3 This policy was created in response to customer feedback and ongoing complaints from customers affected by poor pet management. It aims to balance the needs of pet owners with the well-being of the community, promoting responsible pet ownership.

12. Compliance

13.1 A range of relevant legislations address different forms problems relating with pets, communal and public spaces and possible implications, with regard to other:

► Animal Welfare Act 2006: Places a duty of care on any person keeping an animal to ensure that they look after it properly, promotes animal welfare and comes with enforcement powers.
► Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005: Places responsibility on dog owners to clean-up after their pets have fouled in public spaces.
► Control of Dogs Order 1992: To comply with this legislation and as a help to owners to get their pet back shout they become lost, dog owners are required to have their pets micro-chipped and ensue that dogs also wear a collar with a tag, which has the owner’s name and address on it while in public places
► Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (as amended, 2023): The Act does not brand breeds, but 'types' that fit the banned ones are considered dangerous until they are assessed by a dog legislation officer to decide whether it belongs to one of the banned types. The Act bans a certain type of dogs, including Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and XL Bullies. Under the Act, it is illegal to breed, sell or swap a banned dog breed.
► Discrimination Act 2005: designed to extend and improve the rights of disabled people. It amends the earlier Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to provide better protection and support for individuals with disabilities
► Dog Fouling of the Land Act 1996: it is an offence not to clean up dog faeces from designated public areas, parks and footpaths.
► Equality Act 2010: Applies to disabled people/customers who use assistance dogs.
► The Allotments Act 1950: Users of land have a right to keep chickens and rabbits as long as it is not for a business, causing a nuisance or prejudicial to health.

13. Health and safety considerations

13.1 B3Living will conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential health and safety hazards associated with pet ownership. Measures will be implemented to mitigate identified risks, ensuring the safety of staff, customers, and the community. These assessments will be reviewed periodically to address any emerging risks.

14. Linked policies, procedures and guidance

► Tenancy policy and procedures
► Anti-social behaviour policy and procedures
► Estates management policy and procedures

15. Responsibilities

15.1 The responsibility to grant or revoke permission to keep pets will rest with the housing & neighbourhood team.