Keeping pets
Keeping pets as a council tenant
As a council tenant, you may need to request our permission to keep a pet. Depending on how long you have been a tenant with us, different rules apply.
- I was a council tenant before 1 July 2019 - you may keep up to 2 small caged birds, 1 small fish tank or 1 small caged rodent, and up to two dogs and three cats without written permission. You must not keep any other type of animal at the property without prior written permission. Property type and animal type will be taken into account. Any permission given relates to this property only and will be reviewed if you move house.
You will be required to apply for permission for anything other than 2 small caged birds, 1 small fish tank or 1 small caged rodent when you move house.
- I have been a council tenant since/after 1 July 2019 - you may keep up to 2 small caged birds, 1 small fish tank or 1 small caged rodent without written permission. You must not keep any other type of animal at the property without prior written permission. Property type and animal type will be taken into account. Any permission given relates to this property only and will be reviewed if you move house.
- I am a tenant in a flat or bedsit - tenants living in flats or bedsits with a communal entrance will not be given permission to have dogs unless the animal is recognised as an official support companion.
Please complete an online application to request permission to keep a pet or contact us.
If we give you permission to keep pets, please remember that the permission is for your current address only. If you move house, you must request permission for the new address if you wish to keep any animals again.
Rules about pets for all tenants
You are responsible for ensuring your pet does not cause a nuisance. We can withdraw permission for you to keep a pet if it causes a nuisance or annoyance to your neighbours and you will be expected to find a new home for your pet immediately. You must not:
- breed animals at the property
- keep any breed of dangerous dog as per section 1(1) of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, or keep any illegal breed of animal as per Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 or similar
- tether any livestock on any Council land
- allow any animal to cause a nuisance, annoyance or disturbance to neighbours or others lawfully in the locality of your home
- allow any animal to behave in an intimidating, aggressive or dangerous manner
- carry out acts of cruelty to animals - cases will be reported to the RSPCA or the police
- build any animal enclosures without our permission.
Please note: permission will not be given to keep cockerels.
New cat microchipping laws:
what it means for you
May 2024
Under new legislation, cat owners in England will have until 10th June 2024 to microchip their cats and register them on a government approved database.
Cat owners are being reminded their pet needs to be microchipped with the latest contact information before they turn 20 weeks old to help keep them safe and help lost or stolen cats to be reunited with their owner.
If your cat already has a chip, make sure your contact information is right especially if you have moved home or changed your phone number. Incorrect or out-of-date information means that your cat is not legally considered as microchipped.
While your cat might wear a collar and tag that carry your details, these can easily break, fall off or be removed. A microchip can't be removed easily, so your details will always be with your cat.
Getting your pet microchipped is a quick and simple procedure. Vets will usually charge between £10 and £30 to do this. Speak to your local vet for details or get in touch with your local rescue or cat charity.
More information can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/news/treasured-pets-now-safer-as-microchipping-for-cats-becomes-compulsory