Newport City Homes Keeping Pets Policy (P20)

Transcription

1 Newport City Homes Keeping Pets Policy (P20) 1

2 1. Introduction 1.1 This policy sets out clear guidance to residents and staff on the type and breed of animals allowed to be kept as pets in Newport City Homes properties under the terms of the tenancy agreement. 1.2 The policy also specifies any conditions that must be met in order to be granted permission to keep a pet in a Newport City Homes property. 1.3 The term resident used in this policy applies to all tenants, leaseholders and shared owners of Newport City Homes. 1.4 All policies have been developed jointly by members of the Board, Tenants Panel and staff. 2. Policy statement 2.1 Newport City Homes recognises that many residents wish to keep pets at their home. 2.2 However, if pets are not properly cared for, they can cause a serious nuisance to the surrounding neighbourhood, for instance by loud barking or fouling communal areas. 2.3 The main objectives of this policy are: To respond promptly to requests from residents to keep pets To respond promptly to reports of nuisance caused by pets To reinforce the terms of residents tenancy agreements relating to nuisance caused by pets and the need to obtain written consent to keep pets 3. Principles of the policy 3.1 All requests must be made in writing, giving details of the pet proposed to be kept at the property. Where appropriate, residents may be asked to supply evidence that they are able to properly care for the pet. 3.2 Residents may keep a combination of up to two dogs or two cats at their home, except where: The home has a shared entrance, in which case only one pet will be allowed (and in addition the tenant will also be required to sign an acceptable behaviour contract. This will include, for example, an agreement that the pet will not be allowed in the communal areas of the 2

3 property (save when leaving or entering the property) and dogs must be kept on a short lead when in the communal areas) It is considered that the home is unsuitable for a pet (please see further 3.6 below) 3.3 Residents may keep reasonable numbers of other domestic pets provided that no nuisance or annoyance is caused. 3.4 Residents may not keep or allow into their home any wild animal, farm animal, any animal or creature which is or may become dangerous or any other animal not normally kept as a domestic pet. 3.5 Where permission is given for a dog to be kept at the property, it will always be on the following conditions: It does not foul any property or communal gardens; where fouling does occur it must be cleaned up immediately afterwards and be disposed of appropriately It is accompanied by a responsible person outside the home It is not allowed to roam freely away from the home or in communal garden areas It does not enter any children s play area It is not a breed named in section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991/ Grounds for refusal to have a pet (or where appropriate, reasons where permission may be withdrawn): the request is for more than 2 dogs or cats the request is for a second pet and you live in a property with a shared entrance the accommodation is not deemed as suitable for a pet on health and safety grounds or on the grounds of the nuisance caused or likely to be caused to other residents no evidence has been provided on the Pet Care Assistance Form that you are able to care for the pet You have failed to sign the required Acceptable Behaviour Contract You or a member of your family have previously been responsible for nuisance caused to your neighbours as a result of pets which you have kept We have other grounds to conclude that it is not appropriate for a pet to be kept at your property, given the nature of the property. Assistance Dogs will be exempt and permission will be granted where under normal circumstances it would be refused. 3

4 3.7 NCH will be mindful of religious observance, health conditions, impairments and disabling conditions when considering applications from residents who have shared/communal areas. 3.8 Reasonable numbers of pigeons may be kept if membership of the National or Welsh Homing Union is obtained, together with compliance on Newport City Homes policy on the erection of pigeon lofts, which should only be housed in suitable areas. 3.9 No animal housing may be erected, either externally or internally in the home, without the prior written permission of Newport City Homes The breeding of animals and or birds for profit is not allowed without the prior written permission of Newport City Homes Any complaint received by Newport City Homes regarding the keeping or supervision of animals at a property will be appropriately investigated Newport City Homes will work in partnership with all relevant agencies such as the police, council, animal welfare charities and education when carrying out investigations and dealing with ASB particularly in regards to status dogs Residents will be given the opportunity to rectify the problem where complaints are found to be justified If complaints continue to be received after appropriate warnings, the resident may be required to re-house their pet. This is a requirement of the tenancy agreement. 4. Relevant legislation and regulatory compliance 4.1 Newport City Homes will ensure that action taken under this policy complies with relevant policy and legislation, including the following: Tenancy agreement Residents Handbook Dangerous Dogs Act 1991/2014 Housing Act 1988 ASB, Crime and Policing Act

5 5. Risk implications 5.1 Having a clear policy on keeping pets in the home enables a uniform approach to be adopted and ensures the service is compliant with the law and best practice. 5.2 A failure to follow the keeping pets policy will have a negative impact upon the reputation and image of Newport City Homes, leading in turn to a loss of public confidence. 6. Financial Implications 6.1 No financial implications have been identified to this policy. 7. Equality Implications 7.1 Newport City Homes is committed to giving an equal service to all. Any action taken under this policy will comply with current equalities legislation. 7.2 Newport City Homes staff will operate within the Equality and Diversity Policy and will seek to address any specific needs which may arise in respect of ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, the elderly or vulnerable residents. 7.3 Newport City Homes will in all reasonable circumstances make information available in a variety of information formats, including: large print audio tape community languages 8. Welsh Language Implications 8.1 Newport City Homes recognises the right of people to conduct their business through the medium of Welsh. 8.2 Newport City Homes will meet the requirements of the Welsh Language Act 1993 and offer a choice of using English or Welsh when communicating with Newport City Homes. 5

6 9. Resident Participation Implications 9.1 Newport City Homes will provide performance information to residents so they can measure and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the services delivered. 9.2 Newport City Homes will listen to residents views at every opportunity to enable continuous improvements to services, in line with its Resident Participation Strategy. 10. Policy monitoring 10.1 To help achieve our aim of being a continuously improving organisation and to ensure that we meet all statutory obligations, Newport City Homes has systems and processes in place which allow us to monitor and evaluate our performance Regular monitoring will take place to ensure that Newport City Homes is acting in accordance with this policy Newport City Homes will benchmark its performance against other similar housing associations with the aim of achieving continuous improvement and to ensure compliance with best practice. 11. Links to other relevant policies/documents 11.1 This policy links closely with the following policies and documents: Allocations policy Anti-social behaviour policy Complaints policy 12. Review 12.1 This policy will be reviewed by the Board every three years unless there is a change in legislation. 6