AQW 14631/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 09/09/2024
Answered On Date: 24/09/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the Housing Executive's policy on tenants owning and keeping pets in their properties.

Answer:

This issue is an operational matter for the Housing Executive. I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive, who has advised me as follows.

“The Housing Executive’s position on pets is set out in clauses 9 and 10 of Part 1 (Tenant’s Obligations) of the General Conditions of Tenancy. Upon signing a tenancy agreement and accepting these conditions, our tenants agree:

‘9. Not to keep any domestic pets without the consent in writing of the Area Manager (if the dwelling is a flat or maisonette).

10. Not to keep more than one domestic pet without the consent in writing of the Area Manager (if the dwelling is not a flat or maisonette).’

Coupled with these specific conditions relating to ownership of pets, responsible ownership of the same is provided for by clause 5 of Part 1 (Tenant’s Obligations) whereby tenants agree ‘not to do or permit or suffer to be done in the dwelling or within the curtilage or neighbourhood of the dwelling any act or thing which is or may be an annoyance or nuisance to the occupiers of any neighbouring or adjoining premises’.

If our tenants observe the above obligations, they may quietly enjoy their dwelling, and keep a pet/pets without any interruption by the Housing Executive.”

For any future queries relating to operational matters, you may wish to contact the Northern Ireland Housing Executive directly. Making direct contact with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive will ensure that you receive the information in the shortest possible timeframe and make best use of public resources.