1.2 The University s standard tenancy agreement provides that no pets may be kept without the University s prior written permission.

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1 Estates Services Graduate Accommodation Office University of Oxford Graduate Housing Pet Policy 1 Introduction 1.1 This policy is intended to summarise the terms under which tenants may, in certain limited circumstances, keep pets in Oxford University graduate residential accommodation. The University aims to balance the needs of all its tenants with the need to continue to maintain high quality accommodation and keep its surrounding estates in a clean and tidy condition. 1.2 The University s standard tenancy agreement provides that no pets may be kept without the University s prior written permission. 1.3 In certain limited circumstances the University may grant permission to a tenant to keep a pet in his/her accommodation by way of a Pet Licence. 1.4 Any such Pet Licence will be granted on a case by case basis taking into account the factors set out below. 1.5 The Graduate Accommodation Office administers this policy. 2 Obligation to obtain a Pet Licence 2.1 Where a tenant or future tenant wishes to keep a pet in his/her accommodation the tenant must have been granted a Pet Licence by the Graduate Accommodation Office before bringing a pet into his/her accommodation. 3 Regulations 3.1 Where permission is granted, this is subject to the tenant signing a Pet Licence which will be either annexed to the tenancy agreement at the outset of the agreement, or kept with it, and the permission is subject to the tenant adhering to the terms of the Pet Licence, his/her tenancy agreement and this policy. A standard Pet Licence is set out in Schedule 2 below, which may be updated from time to time in the interests of good estate management. 3.2 The Graduate Accommodation Office may impose such reasonable regulations in relation to the keeping of pets as are in the interests of good estate management, in addition to the terms set out in the Pet Licence the tenancy agreement and this policy. Any such regulations shall be notified to tenants. 1

2 3.3 All pets must be well looked after and must not cause a nuisance to neighbours or local residents. Failure to comply with this policy and or the Pet Licence may result in enforcement action being taken by the Graduate Accommodation Office which could mean termination of the Pet Licence and or include legal action where appropriate. 3.4 The tenant will be responsible for and liable for all of the following: Any and all damage to University property and accommodation caused by the pet; Any and all injuries to any person caused by the pet; Any and all injuries to any other animal caused by the pet; Any and all damage to any person s property caused by the pet; Any reasonable costs incurred to clean deodorise, de flea or repair any part of the accommodation including any shared areas as a result of keeping the pet; Any costs incurred by the University which arise due to a breach of the Pet Licence. 3.5 The tenant must take out public liability insurance for his/her dog covering the period of the Pet Licence and produce a copy of it to the Graduate Accommodation Office when requested. 3.6 Where required by legislation the tenant must micro-chip his/her pet. 4 Assessing Applications for a Licence to keep a pet 4.1 When considering an application for a Pet Licence the Graduate Accommodation Office will take the following into consideration: the size and type of accommodation where the pet will be housed; the species of pet; how the pet will be accommodated; how many pets are already in the accommodation; what other pets are kept on the estate; the potential for nuisance that the pet may cause to neighbours; and whether the pet is needed to assist the tenant for assistive/medical/health reasons. Where a Pet Licence is granted this will usually be for a single pet only. Where a tenant has previously had a Pet Licence to keep a pet withdrawn this may be taken into account. This list is not exhaustive. 5 Guidance 5.1 Type of Accommodation Houses: A Licence may be granted to keep either one dog or one cat where there is a private garden. In addition grant of permission to keep other smaller domestic pets, such as birds, hamsters, gerbils, and fish will be considered Flats: A Licence will not be granted to keep a dog or a cat in accommodation where there is more than one family unit or where unrelated tenants are sharing; and/or where access is shared; and or where there is no access to a private garden. Grant of a Licence to keep other domestic pets, such as birds, hamsters, gerbils, and fish will be considered. 2

3 5.1.3 Rooms: A Licence will not be granted for tenants to keep dogs or cats or other smaller domestic pets in rooms. Grant of permission to keep fish, for example goldfish in a small tank, will be considered. 5.2 Assistance Dogs A Pet Licence to keep an assistance dog for a blind tenant, or tenant who is hard of hearing, or a tenant with some other recognised disability, or other assistance animal which is medically required as an aid to the tenant would not normally be refused in appropriate accommodation. 5.3 Barred animals There is an absolute bar on keeping any of the following animals in University accommodation: Rats, mice, snakes and any poisonous animals; Any undomesticated animal; Any dog which is not fully trained; Any dog or cat which is not housetrained; Any dangerous or wild animal listed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act Any breed or cross breed of a dog listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 which include the following breeds: Pit Bull Terrier; Japanese Tosa; Dogo Argentino; and Fila Brazilero Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of animals which are barred and each application will be considered on an individual basis. 6. How to apply for permission to keep a pet in your accommodation 6.1. Ensure you have read and understood this policy and the terms of your tenancy agreement and the Pet Licence and that you are prepared to comply with the terms of these documents; 6.2. During busy periods, particularly between July and October please ensure that you allow at least 10 days for your application to be considered; 6.3. Fill out an Application to Keep a Pet Form [attach a link], completing all necessary information and setting out any special circumstances which apply (e.g. if keeping this pet relates to a disability or health issue) and send to the Graduate Accommodation Office [ detail ]; 6.4. Provide a photograph of the pet (and any cage or tank in which it will be kept if appropriate); 6.5. Provide a copy of your public liability insurance if you wish to keep a dog in your accommodation; 6.6. If any further information is required, the Graduate Accommodation Office will contact you to request this. 3

4 6.7. The Graduate Accommodation Office will contact you to confirm whether or not you have been granted permission to keep a pet You will need to sign a Pet Licence You may not bring any pet into your accommodation before signing and returning your Pet Licence to the Graduate Accommodation Office. Note only current and future tenants are eligible to apply. 7 General 7.1 A tenant will be responsible for the health and welfare of his/her pet. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 places a duty of care on a pet owner that to ensure his/her pet is given a proper diet (food and water) and is kept free from pain, suffering, injury or disease. This includes a duty to ensure that his/her pet receives regular medical treatment and that appropriate vaccinations are given. 7.2 It is highly recommended that dogs and cats are neutered and micro-chipped. 8 Pet Nuisance and Breach of the Pet Licence 8.1 The following will be considered as a pet nuisance and a breach of both this policy and the Pet Licence (this is not an exhaustive list): Leaving a pet to roam outside the accommodation or leaving a pet unattended outside the accommodation (this includes visitors pets); Not placing a dog on a lead outside the tenant s accommodation or private garden when on University property; Out of control or dangerous pets; Pets which bite or scratch people or other animals; Damage caused to personal property belonging to other people by a pet; Allowing pets to foul and urinate in communal areas including any communal gardens; Allowing pets to foul and urinate in any public space and failing to clear up immediately; Excessive noise: (e.g. barking dogs, noises from birds) which affect neighbouring tenants/local residents; Failure to prevent unpleasant odours (for example animal urine/ failure to keep the Pet clean); Damage caused to University property (including communal areas and communal gardens) by a pet; Pet flea and vermin infestations; Diseases which may be contagious to other animals or humans which are carried by a Pet; 4

5 9 Process for dealing with breach of this Policy and/ or the Pet Licence and outcomes 9.1 Where the Graduate Accommodation Office is notified of or becomes aware of a breach of this policy or the Pet Licence or any regulations ( the Notified Breach ) the Graduate Accommodation Office will notify the tenant of the breach and request his/her response. 9.2 Depending on the circumstances of the breach the Graduate Accommodation Office may also consult with any caretakers and or any neighbours or others who may be or may have been affected by the Notified Breach. 9.3 If the Notified Breach is so serious that it must be acted upon immediately the Graduate Accommodation Office will notify the tenant and terminate the Pet Licence without notice and any pet must be removed immediately. This may apply where (for example) there is a risk to the health and safety of any person or in any other circumstances that the Graduate Accommodation Office deems sufficiently serious. 9.4 The tenant must supply a written response and an explanation of any relevant circumstances surrounding the Notified Breach to the Graduate Accommodation Office within 24 hours. If there are extenuating circumstances the tenant must notify the Graduate Accommodation Office of this within 24 hours and supply his/her written response within 3 days ( the Tenant s Response ). The tenant should also confirm whether a pet is needed to support the tenant on medical grounds. 9.5 The Graduate Accommodation Office will consider the Notified Breach and the Tenant s Response within 7 working days of the Notified Breach. If the Tenant s Response is not received within the relevant time limit the Graduate Accommodation Office will consider the Notified Breach without the Tenant s Response. 9.6 The outcome will depend on the severity of the breach; whether it is possible to remedy the breach; and whether this one off breach or a persistent breach. The following is a nonexhaustive list of possible outcomes: Where the Notified Breach is a serious breach or persistent failure to rectify a breach notified to the tenant the Graduate Accommodation Office will terminate the Pet Licence and the tenant must remove the pet from the accommodation Where the Notified Breach is in the opinion of the Graduate Accommodation Office rectifiable and is not a serious breach or a continuing breach the tenant will be notified of the steps that he/ she will need to take to rectify the breach. Additional requirements may be placed on the tenant in respect of management of his/her pet No action is required by the tenant. 5

6 9.6.4 The tenant may be required to pay any costs associated with dealing with a Notified Breach this will include, but is not limited to any legal, professional or other costs incurred by the University. 9.7 Where the University terminates the Pet Licence the Pet must be removed from the Property within 3 days or immediately where a serious breach has occurred. 9.8 The Graduate Accommodation Office will notify the tenant of the action which he/she must take to take (or if no action is required to be taken) within 10 working days of the Notified Breach or such other time as shall be reasonable in the circumstances. 6

7 Schedule1 Application to keep a pet in University graduate accommodation. 7

8 Schedule 2 Pet Licence 8