Agenda item

A report of the Head of Landlord Services.

The Head of Landlord Services submitted a report presenting the Board with the Council’s Draft Pets Policy (item 4 on the agenda).

The Landlord Services Manager attended the meeting to assist with the discussion of this item.

The Board were advised that:

(i)            The Council did not have an existing policy on pet-ownership in Council Housing and there was a lack of sufficient detail in the tenancy agreement regarding pets and as such the tenancy agreement was open to interpretation in this regard.  This policy was designed to increase consistency in the Council’s approach to pet ownership in Council properties in conjunction with the tenancy agreement.

(ii)          The policy had been put before Charnwood Housing Residents' Forum (CHRF) and changes had been made as a result.

(iii)         Under the policy social tenants must seek and obtain written permission to keep a pet.

(iv)         Some pets would not obtain permission such as dogs covered by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and cockerels (the latter due to noise disruption).  Additionally, pets used for commercial breeding purposes would not be allowed.  Certain other pets would attract restricted pet permissions.

(v)          There was contention over pet ownership in sheltered accommodation between the benefits of those in sheltered accommodation having pets and their ability to look after them.  Pets would not be allowed in sheltered accommodation unless there was direct access to open space.

(vi)         Existing pet owners would be allowed to keep their pets as long as they declared them to the Council, and they did not broadly violate the existing terms of the pets policy.

The board asked in regard to the exceptions to the limit of two pets whether the term ‘aquarium’ could be broadened to ‘vivarium’ so that small animals, particularly reptiles, that fared better in groups of larger than two, could be kept.

Action: The Landlord Services Manager would consider accommodating pets of that nature in the policy.

In response to questions from the board it was explained that:

(i)            Tenants were required to undertake conditions including cleaning up after pets and eliminating offensive smells.  Action could be taken against tenants who failed to do this including community protection notices.

(ii)          Dangerous venomous animals were prohibited.

The board sought clarification on pets in non-sheltered accommodation that needed to go through communal areas to get outside.

Action: The Landlord Services Manager would provide clarification.

The Board raised concern that the policy could be changed without extensive consultation.

Further concern was raised that the two-pet limit was too restrictive and that often more than two pets could be kept without problems.  It was further suggested that having a blanket policy regarding existing pets had the potential to generate upset and concern and decrease trust in Landlord Services.

With regards to consultation, the Board were assured that any policy revision would go through a formal consultation process, first with officers, then with the CHRF, then with the Board and then with Cabinet.  This policy would not eliminate consultation, but it would make consultation easier than it would have with the existing tenancy agreement.

The Board were further assured that a pragmatic approach was suggested in regard to existing pets and whilst action would be taken against those who wilfully breached the policy, action may not be taken against a tenant who owned more than two pets but in circumstances where there were no other causes for concern.

The Board raised concern that this approach may lead to anxiety amongst pet owners and accusations of double-standards.  It was requested that the policy be worded in such a way that tenants were aware that the policy may be applied in cases where problems arose from pet ownership.

Action: The Landlord Services Manager would consider the wording of the policy.

The Chair requested that further queries and comments be sent to the Landlord Services Manager and considered at the next meeting of the Housing Management Advisory Board.

RESOLVED that the policy be further discussed at the meeting of the Housing Management Advisory Board on 12^th May 2021

Reason

To allow the Board more time to consider and comment on the policy.