KINGDOM HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED PETS POLICY

Transcription

1 Pets Policy If you need this publication in larger print, audio form, Braille, or in another language, please contact our office and we will try to help you.

2 KINGDOM HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED PETS POLICY 1.0 Statement of Intent 1.1 Kingdom is committed to the principles of good corporate governance and sustainability and will endeavour to develop fair and consistent policies, procedures and practices. 1.2 The purpose of this policy is to set out how we will assess any request for permission to keep a pet in any of our properties. 1.3 In line with Kingdom s commitment to equality and diversity, this Policy can be made available in a variety of formats, including large print, translated into another language or on audio tape. Reasonable adjustments will also be made to assist individuals who have a disability. 2.0 Application to Keep a Pet 2.1 As a Kingdom tenant (subject to the conditions noted in 4.0 below) you have an obligation in terms of your Tenancy Agreement to apply to us in writing for permission to keep any pet. 2.2 We believe that keeping pets can offer significant benefits to their owners however irresponsible pet ownership can also cause nuisance to others living nearby, so it is necessary to have some rules to ensure that neighbours are not adversely affected. Pet ownership is a privilege, not a right and you must comply with any conditions. Failure to do so will result in enforcement action being taken which may include legal action. Failure to comply with any conditions may result in permission to keep the pet being withdrawn and you being required to remove it from the property. 2.3 We have taken the view that smaller pets kept in small numbers are less likely to be a source of nuisance therefore there is no need to apply for formal permission for those listed below. Prior written permission from us is not necessary for:- Fish, reptiles or amphibians which can be kept in one tank with a capacity of less than 21 litres. Small domesticated rodents such as rats, gerbils, chinchillas, guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters where no more than one pair will be kept. Small domesticated birds such as parrots, cockatiels, finches, canaries, budgerigars and macaws as long as no more than one pair is kept. If any pets breed it is expected that either the adults or the offspring will be removed once the offspring are independent/weaned so that you still have only one pair of the animals concerned. If you decide to keep the offspring then an application for permission must be made because of the increase in numbers.

3 2.4 Any application to keep a pet in greater numbers than on the above list or any pet which does not appear on the above list must be made to us in writing giving details of the kind and number of pets for which permission is being sought. Forms are available from our Customer Service Team. 2.5 Further details of pets requiring/not requiring formal permission are contained in a procedural guide, which is available on request 3.0 Application Assessment 3.1 We will assess any application to keep a pet under the following criteria: Any potential for disturbance, nuisance or distress that the pet may cause to neighbours The size and type of accommodation where the pet is to be kept The number and type of pets already in the property Any history of pet related problems within the property or within the relevant locality Whether you have had pets before and have been unable to look after them properly without causing a nuisance or annoyance to others. Any title conditions applicable to the property or within the relevant locality Whether the pet will be kept for breeding purposes 3.2 In all cases we will balance the right to keep a pet against the right of other tenants and occupiers not to be disturbed, distressed or annoyed by your pet. 3.3 We will acknowledge any application within 5 days of the date of receipt by us of the application You will normally receive a decision in writing within 28 days of our receipt of the written application and this will contain any conditions attached to such permission or reasons for its refusal. You do not have a legal right to keep pets therefore, if we are unable to give you a decision within 28 days, we will write to you to make you aware of the reasons why. If we cannot give you permission within the timescale that does not mean you can proceed without our permission. 4.0 Restrictions to Keeping Pets 4.1 You will not be granted permission to keep a dog which is prohibited by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 or by any other Statute or Regulation. 4.2 You will not be granted permission to keep a dog if you live in a property which has shared access. The exception to this restriction will be where you or a member of your household requires the help of a seeing dog for the visually impaired or a hearing dog for the aurally impaired, or where you have some other disability which makes ownership of a trained working dog essential in order for you to lead an independent lifestyle. 4.3 You will be held responsible for the behaviour of any pets owned by or living with you. You will be expected to take all reasonable steps to supervise and keep such pets under control and ensure that they do not cause nuisance to neighbours or deterioration to the condition of the property, common parts or the vicinity of the house. This includes fouling, noise or smell from the animal. We will recharge you for any costs incurred as a result of damage or cleaning up any mess left by your

4 pet. Dogs especially must be kept on a lead at all times when outside the property and dog faeces must be cleaned up immediately 5.0 Removal of a Pet We will ask you to remove your pets from the property where: Permission has not been sought or it has been refused. Conditions applied to our written consent have not been adhered to The pet has caused nuisance, distress or annoyance to any owner or occupier or property adjoining or within the locality of your property or has caused damage or destruction to any part of property owned or leased by us. The above list is not exhaustive. We reserve the right to require removal of the pet(s) in other reasonable circumstances. 6.0 Appeals Process Where Permission is Refused Any appeal on a decision to refuse permission to keep a pet should be made to the Area Manager in the first instance. The appeal should be made in writing within 28 days of refusal or permission with conditions. Where the Area Manager upholds the original decision, you can pursue any further grievance through Kingdom s Complaints Procedure. 7.0 The Role of Housing Services The recording of applications to keep pets is the responsibility of the Customer Services Team. The appropriate housing officer is responsible for processing all requests. 8.0 Review This policy will be reviewed 5 years from the date of implementation, which will be the date the policy is approved by the Committee of Management or earlier if deemed appropriate.

5 KINGDOM HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED PETS POLICY Policy drawn up with reference to: Housing Scotland (2001) Act and the Scottish Secure Tenancy Agreement. Glen Housing Association Pets Policy. Hillcrest Housing Association Pets Policy Reference made to the following sources and other guidance: Performance Standards A.S 1.3 A.S 1.9 A.S 1.10 G.S 1.2 and G.S 3.3 Prepared by: Alex McLaren Current Policy dated: March 2007 Draft 1 Circulated to Directors for review August 2011 Policy audited by Kingdom s solicitors August 2011 Sub Committee Review of Policy February 2012 Presented for approval to Committee of Management on 19 March 2012 Policy Approved Yes Next review date: No later than March 2017