Tenant Refresher: Guidance On Keeping Pets
A handy reminder for residents on our guidance and requirements around having pets in your home.
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Pets can bring comfort, companionship and joy to everyday life. If you are a tenant of our Association and are thinking about getting a pet - or already have one - it’s important to understand your responsibilities.
The Scottish Housing Bill of 2025 featured clauses around strengthening tenants’ rights for keeping pets in Scotland. While any new rules are not yet fully in place, guidance may change in the future and we’ll provide updates as soon as there are any confirmed changes. For now, tenants should continue to follow their current tenancy agreement and our Pets Policy.
We would like to reiterate that applications to keep pets will not be refused unreasonably, however it's essential for everyone in the community that we only encourage safe and responsible pet-keeping.
Use the handy FAQs below for more guidance.
Yes. The Association fully recognises the benefits to residents of keeping pets, however permission is not automatic and per your Tenancy Agreement you should seek permission from us.
We will not withhold permission unreasonably, however we must also encourage responsible pet ownership that does not cause nuisance or danger to others.
Before getting a pet, you should:
- Contact us and make a request in writing. You may be given a pet application form to fill out and return.
- Provide details about the type and number of pets
- Wait for approval before bringing the pet home
We will typically consider:
- the size of your home and its suitability for accommodating your pet
- any laws or guidance around whether your animal is suitable to be kept as a pet. For example, pigeons, fowl, livestock or certain dog breeds regarded as dangerous under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 would not be permitted.
- whether you have any other existing pets that could cause overcrowding in your home
- any previous issues with your keeping of pets
- Tenants granted permission to keep a pet will be responsible for the animals' behaviour and should take all reasonable steps to ensure it is kept under control, does not cause nuisance to others in the area (including fouling or excessive noise) or damage to property.
- Pets such as dogs should be kept on a leash when entering or leaving common areas of your building, and may not be exercised in common areas such as backcourts.
- You will be responsible for ensuring that any fouling by the pet is picked up and disposed of, plus any damage to your home caused by the pet.
- Your home may not be used as a commercial premises for the breeding and sale of more animals
We may seek to take action if pet owners do not meet their responsibilities, which could include:
- Further mediation with the pet owner to discuss how the pet can be better managed, and communicate expected standards of pet-keeping
- Withdrawal of permission to keep the pet, requiring its removal
- Please note that failure to adhere to our pet-keeping requirements may constitute a breach of your tenancy, which could lead to enforcement action