Keeping a pet

WATMOS recognise the benefits that responsible pet ownership can bring but acknowledge that controls need to be in place to prevent irresponsible pet ownership which can cause suffering to animals and nuisance to neighbours.

This guidance offers advice if you are thinking about getting a pet, if you already have a pet and residents who may have concerns about or problems with a neighbour’s pet.

  • Residents must not keep a pet without prior consent from WATMOS.
  • Assistance dogs or animals are allowed in properties where evidence is provided;
  • WATMOS Community Homes may withdraw consent if a nuisance is caused or if it is considered that the number of animals should be restricted;
  • Dogs should be exercised on a lead if in communal areas of the estate or scheme;
  • If an animal fouls any area it should be cleared up immediately by the owner;
  • Pets must not cause nuisance to neighbours, staff and visitors; this includes noise nuisance and animals which are allowed to stray;
  • Pets must not cause damage to the property, and residents may be charged for any damage caused to WATMOS Community Homes property;
  • Residents cannot run a business from their home; this includes breeding animals for sale or boarding kennels.

Residents should seek permission from WATMOS to keep pets in all circumstances as this allows WATMOS Community Homes to record what animals are being kept. Please download this form and send to info@watmos.org.uk

Permission will normally be for small domestic animals and birds. Permission will not be granted for the following: -

  • Farm animals – for example, sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, horses, ducks.
  • Animals registered under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 – examples of animals registered under the Act are certain types of venomous snake, certain types of spider and various breeds of monkey;
  • Dogs specified in the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991;
  • A dog or cat where the household already has two dogs or two cats or a dog or a cat.

Permission may not be granted where there is an ongoing problem with pet ownership in the household, or there has been a problem in the past.

Dogs: Important information for XL Bully owners

WATMOS residents who own an XL Bully dog need to apply for a ‘Certificate of Exemption’ to legally keep your pet beyond 31 January 2024. 

You will find more details about how to apply for this certificate on the government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prepare-for-the-ban-on-xl-bully-dogs   

You will be committing a criminal offence and breaching your tenancy agreement if you do not hold a Certification of Exemption on 1 February 2024. 

From 31 December 2023 in England it will also be against the law to: 

  • sell an XL Bully dog. 
  • abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray. 
  • give away an XL Bully dog. 
  • breed from an XL Bully dog. 
  • have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle. 

If you have any further questions about the XL Bully ban, please phone us on 01922471910 or email info@watmos.org.uk