Section C Estate Management C05 Pets Policy

Transcription

1 C05 Pets 1 Pet Policy 1.1 Nottingham Community Housing Association recognises that a pet or pets can contribute to the quality of pet owner s life, providing companionship and security. NCHA also recognises that irresponsible ownership can cause nuisance, annoyance and health hazards to others living nearby. This policy is intended to outline the conditions under which tenants may keep animals in accommodation managed by NCHA. It is not exhaustive and the Housing Managers may use discretion in certain cases. 1.2 In all instances where a pet or pets constitute a nuisance, annoyance or health risk to tenant s members of the public or NCHA staff, NCHA may request the tenant to remove the pet and will enforce this request through legal action if necessary. This applies whether the tenant has previously been given permission to keep the pet or not. 1.3 In general terms, tenants who require guide dogs or animals for medical conditions which not only enhance their life but are there to assist in the basic living requirements such as deafness will be exempt from the policy - NCHA however retain the right to refuse, withdraw or offer a property in circumstances where we deem that allowing an animal in to a property would have an adverse effect on our Housing Management function. 2. General 2.1 You will need to inform your Landlord, NCHA, and get written permission from us, if you want to keep any pet or pets in your home, this includes such animals as reptiles or amphibians. You will also be asked to provide a description and picture of the animal for our records. 2.2 Tenants are responsible for the health and welfare of their pet(s) under the Animal Welfare Act The control of a pet(s) and or any pet(s) visiting the property are the responsibility of the tenant. Dogs must always be kept under control when in public areas and on a lead when walking about on NCHA land. To comply with current legislation all dogs should wear a collar tag showing the owners address and telephone number. Control of Dogs Order If a cat or cats are allowed free access, the owner must take steps to ensure that they do not cause a nuisance to neighbours. A litter tray should always be provided and maintained. 2.5 Pet faeces and soiling must always be removed immediately. Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 failure to clean up after a dog is an offence subject to a level 3 fine. Dog faeces in tenant(s) gardens should be Page 1 of 7

2 picked up on a daily basis and should not be allowed to accumulate, whilst dog faeces in public areas should be picked up immediately and disposed of. Any suitable plastic bag can be used, or special poop-scoop bags can be purchased from various pet shops or veterinary surgeries. Dispose of faeces in a dog waste bin or take the bag home. If this is not possible, as a last resort doublewrap the faeces in two plastic bags and dispose of in a litter bin. The Dog Fouling of Land Act 1996 makes it an offence not to clean up dog faeces from designated public areas, parks and footpaths 2.6 Tenants must make good any damage to NCHA property caused by a pet(s). 2.7 Permission will be given for guide dogs unless it can be proved that it would not be beneficial to the scheme. 2.8 Dogs listed in the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 and any animal listed in the Schedule of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 may not be kept. 2.9 Breeding where written permission has been given to keep a pet any form of breeding will not be allowed Permission will not be given to keeping livestock such as horses, donkeys, goats, pigs, cattle, ducks, geese and chickens or the instalment of large fish tanks over 4 feet in length at NCHA property Where Anti Social Behaviour has been caused by a tenant(s) and/ or the visitor(s) pet, permission to keep a pet will be withheld or withdrawn. 3 Specific Guidelines 3.1 Tenants in Houses permission may be given for either Cats A maximum of one cat Or Dogs A maximum of one dog not both. 3.2 Tenants in Flats and Maisonettes Cats Dogs Permission will not be given for keeping a cat(s) if you live in a flat. Permission will not be given for keeping a dog(s) if you live in a flat. It should be noted that at such locations i.e. flats, a pet or pets/ animal will not be allowed in the communal areas or in the flat(s) including on a temporary basis i.e. minding an animal for someone else or accompanied by visitors. Page 2 of 7

3 3.3 If you are given permission to have a pet(s) this will be on the provision that as well as not allowing it to cause a nuisance that you will also provide an up-todate vaccination card and ensure that other necessary treatments such as defleaing and worming have been administered as this will reduce the risk of diseases and parasites spreading. That the animal has been neutered or spayed to prevent it from breeding and that it has been microchipped or tattooed. 3.4 Permission will be withdrawn to have an animal in the property should we receive reports of roaming and unattended animals, excessive animal noise, neglect or fouling. 3.5 Upon the death of a permitted pet(s), written permission is required again if the tenant wishes to have another/new pet(s) 4. For customers living in NCHA houses/ bungalows, before granting any pet permission we shall take in to account the following factors; Whether the building/estate/community has agreed through consultation with its residents that restrictions should apply to pet ownership. Whether the tenant has breached the tenancy agreement with regard to a pet(s), or other related nuisance in the past, and the Estate Officer and the Service Manager agree it would be unwise to grant permission. Whether the accommodation is unsuitable. The home may be too small for the size of the pet. Access to the house may be shared with other tenants. The location of the property; its proximity to other properties. The number of people occupying the property. The advice, guidance or opinion of other Agencies who may have an interest or involvement with the property, area or tenants. 5. Installing Cat Flaps 5.1 Where permission has been given to keep a cat, tenants will not be allowed to fit cat flaps themselves. However, if you have obtained written permission from your Estate Officer to keep a cat and have suitable external doors, NCHA will consider fitting a cat flap for you. Requests should be made to the Maintenance Department. Page 3 of 7

4 5.2 NCHA will undertake such works in order to prevent unnecessary damage to external doors. The cost of repairing such damage may be considered as a recharge and the tenant will be expected to meet the cost of this work. 5.3 NCHA will only fit cat flaps to suitable doors. In most cases this will be a hardwood door, but will not be fitted on fire doors. 5.4 The cost of the work will be and will cover the cost of the cat flap and the work required to fit it. Tenants will be expected to make payment in full within 30 days of receipt of the invoice. Where a UPVC door has been fitted, the will be deducted from the quote provided by the manufacturers. 5.5 Where UPVC doors have been fitted, the door will need to be inspected by a Technical Officer. The tenant will be advised that the cost of fitting a cat flap to such a door may be quite expensive as the work may need to be undertaken by the manufacturer, particularly if the scheme is Secure by Design. In such cases, the tenant will be provided with a quote for the work. 5.6 Should the tenant transfer to another property or exchange with another tenant, the tenant will be expected to pay for a cat flap in the new property if it is required. 5.7 If permission is refused, the Estate Officer must write to the tenant and explain reasons by referring to one or more of the above considerations. 6. Procedure 6.1 Application to keep a pet should be considered by the Estate Officer taking into consideration all of the above guidelines. 6.2 The application must be submitted in writing. The Estate Officer will provide a copy of this Policy and an application form (Appendix A) with covering letter (Appendix B) to the applicant within 10 working days and written confirmation of the decision within 10 days of its return. 6.3 Appeals against the decision must be presented to the Service Manager Estates who will seek to provide a written decision, taking all factors into account, within 10 days of receiving the appeal application. 6.4 Complaints and/or concerns about pets - in the first instance NCHA would expect that the person complaining should approach their neighbour/ the pet owner in order to discuss and highlight to them the nuisance that the animal is causing. They should also ask their neighbour to try and resolve the matter. Where pet nuisance continues this will be dealt with following the NCHA Anti- Social Behaviour Policy & Procedure. 6.5 Estate Officers will seek to enforce the Pets Policy in consultation with the Local Authority, Environmental Health Department and Dog Warden where Page 4 of 7

5 appropriate. Measures will be taken to assess and attempt to resolve each individual case. Advice, guidance, mediation and relevant alternative solutions to pet problems will be explored and considered. Guidance may be found on the website: pdf Legal Enforcement of the Tenancy Agreement will only be used as a last resort if the tenant has not responded effectively to address the issues or the nuisance is persistent. This may include Injunction, ABC, ASBO or Eviction procedure. Page 5 of 7

6 Appendix A Application to keep a pet in accommodation managed by Nottingham Community Housing Association I herewith apply for permission for... (Tenant s name) to keep the pets detailed below at:... (Address) Please tick to indicate the type of pet you wish to keep. For pets kept in groups, such as tropical fish, insert the number of pets in the box. Dog Cat Small mammal Reptile Bird Fish If you are applying to keep a cat or a dog, please complete further details below: Breed:... Sex:... Colour:...Name:... Age:... Approximate body weight:...kgs Microchip number: I have read and understand the Nottingham Community Housing Association Pet Policy and agree to be bound by the obligations contained in that document. I understand that having a pet is a privilege and not a right and that if I infringe the rules it may affect my tenancy. Signature... Date... Page 6 of 7

7 Appendix B Dear... Re: Pet(s) Policy I have been advised that you wish to obtain permission to keep a pet at your home. Please find enclosed a copy of the Policy relating to Pet Ownership in NCHA properties. If you are confident that you can meet all the obligations please complete, sign and return the attached Application Form and wait until you receive a written response to your request before acquiring your pet. If you require any further advice or assistance please contact this office. Yours sincerely Page 7 of 7