I want to get a pet

You must get permission to keep a pet in a council property. 

Pets can be a source of comfort for us but keeping a pet is a privilege not a right. Clause 4.2 Your responsibilities - Controlling pets and animals, of Your Tenancy agreement states the following:

You must not do the following. 

• h. Keep any animal that we consider to be unsuitable in your home, or anywhere in the area around your home. 
• i. Allow any animals to become a health or noise nuisance, or to behave in a way that could annoy, frighten or cause a nuisance to other people. 
• j. Allow any animal to foul any of our property, including areas you share with other tenants. You must clear up after any animal you are responsible for. If you do not, we will charge you for the cost of cleaning and any other expenses that are needed to remove the nuisance. 

You must get our written permission to keep an animal in your home. We will give you permission if it is reasonable to do so. We can withdraw this permission at any time if it is reasonable to do so. 

If your request is approved 

• A permission letter and a 'Pet Contract' will be sent to your address by 2nd class post within 10 working days or by email via DocuSign  
• One copy of the 'Pet Contract' must be signed and returned to Basildon Council's Tenancy and Estate Management Team 
• You will also need to provide the pets microchip number 
• The signed 'Pet Contract' will be added to your tenancy file. 

If your request is turned down 

• A letter of explanation will be sent to your address by 2nd Class post within 10 working days 

Before making a decision to have a pet, please consider whether you are able to meet the animal's long term needs.  

• Can you provide the correct housing for the pet? 
• Do you have the space and time to exercise the pets? 
• Can you afford to keep the pets?  
• Do you know how long the pet is likely to live, and can you commit to this responsibility? 
• Do you accept that as an adult you are the one responsible for the upkeep of the pet? 
• Have you checked you (and other family members) don't have allergies to pets? 
• Do you have someone who will look after the pet while you're on holiday, in hospital or in residential care? 
• Do you have children or other pets that might not get on with a new pet? 
• Are you registered with a vet and are you able to get a sick animal there? 
• Are you prepared to vaccinate the pets annually, microchip and neuter them, and can you afford to?  

Request permission to keep a pet:

• Request permission to keep a pet