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Original poster

Council flats and pets?

32 replies

Candyflossarmpits · 03/07/2022 23:00

Hiya. Bit of context, I'm a 23 year old living alone in a flat with a balcony. I have in my tenancy for this council property that I'm not allowed pets. Is there any way around this or has anyone experienced getting permission? I'm EXTREMELY lonely. I have been thinking of getting a dog for a while and I think it would really help me mentally and also a bit of company would be nice. I have so much love to give.
I don't have any family and one friend who is only free late in the evenings.
Thoughts? Pls be nice!! 😂

OP posts:
TheTempest · 03/07/2022 23:06

Hi, you could try asking permission anyway? I would see if you can get a letter from the doctor saying that it would support you emotionally.

you need to be really careful to not annoy your neighbours with noise/Smells/ poo on the balcony or communal areas as they could use that as a reason for you to not be allowed to keep your pet even if they grant you permission. Otherwise could you look for a mutual exchange to a more suitable property that does allow pets?

BMW6 · 03/07/2022 23:17

Hi OP. Please don't get a dog in a flat , it's really not fair on the dog. Have you thought what to do when your dog needs to wee or poo at 2,3, 4am?
When you have to go out for a couple of hours and your dog barks in anxiety?

I'm sorry that you are so lonely, but surely getting out and meeting people would be better for you?

gobbynorthernbird · 03/07/2022 23:23

BMW6 · 03/07/2022 23:17

Hi OP. Please don't get a dog in a flat , it's really not fair on the dog. Have you thought what to do when your dog needs to wee or poo at 2,3, 4am?
When you have to go out for a couple of hours and your dog barks in anxiety?

I'm sorry that you are so lonely, but surely getting out and meeting people would be better for you?

Loads of people have dogs in flats. It's really normal.

Sorry, OP, I don't know if you'll be able to get around this.

NewBootsAndRanty · 03/07/2022 23:25

If you've got a communal entrance, there's no way they'll agree.

CatsArePeople · 03/07/2022 23:27

Indoor cat?

Pifflewiffle · 03/07/2022 23:33

In my block - new build with communal entrance there's been one exception to the no pet rule for a tenant who is disabled. While her dog is not strictly speaking an actual assistance dog, it does provide immense emotional support. They were allocated a ground floor flat. The dog isn't barky and is very well behaved . You wouldn't know he was there other than you can see him looking out the window. I would ask, make a case for how important it would be and see how they react. They can only say no so you've nothing to lose by asking.

mumda · 03/07/2022 23:34

Dogs are a bad idea.
It's against the tenancy so you'll be potentially evicted for that.
Plus its unfair on everyone around you.
And unfair on the dog.

Beans456 · 03/07/2022 23:35

Are humans not good company?

You don't have to house a human straight away.

Maybe meet some at a social event or at your local church of a Sunday?

TomAllenWife · 03/07/2022 23:35

My MIL has just been allowed her dog in a block with no balcony anc communal entrance (council)

Since covid they have had to relax rules for mental health purposes and more and more councils are finding it's a 'human right'

ItWasntMyFault · 03/07/2022 23:36

Don't do it as it will be harder on you if they give you the choice of leaving your home or rehoming the dog.

BiscoffSundae · 03/07/2022 23:36

A cat makes more sense , your Neighbours will likely report you if you get a dog

urbanbuddha · 03/07/2022 23:48

Could you join Borrow My Doggy and take someone elses's dog for walks?
Don't break your tenancy agreement.

EW1995 · 03/07/2022 23:49

After recently moving from a flat to a house and finally getting a dog - I would not have coped in a flat no way. First there is the obvious - toilet training if puppy which could mean having to go out every 30 minutes - 1 hour, even for an older dog you still have to take them out regularly and then secondly it’s not fair for a dog to stay cooped up in a flat all day, especially with the summer coming. My dog spends all day out in the garden because he absolutely loves it, and I would hate to think of him not having the freedom to do that. Then there is the other tenants that live there, having lived in a flat, you can really hear what upstairs and downstairs are doing, and I don’t think it’s fair on them to have to listen to a dog cry, bark, etc all day long especially if they are left alone or just that way inclined. Could you maybe go for a different type of pet - hamster, lizard, snakes? I know it’s not the same as a furry buddy on the sofa, but in this case, I think the dogs needs and quality of life trumps the need for company. Sorry OP. X

TeapotTitties · 03/07/2022 23:53

Not enough info really.

My local council allows dogs in flats a maximum of 3 floors up. Have you checked your council's rules?

Is it a safe enough area to walk the dog late at night when it needs to toilet? Most importantly, how long will the dog be alone when you're at work or can you work from home?

DimplesToadfoot · 03/07/2022 23:56

What about a couple of guinea pigs? Easy to keep in a flat and can be very social.

With regards to dogs in flats I used to volunteer for a small rescue and sometimes we would actively look for homes in flats for the escape artists, so don't let being in a flat put you off but seriously research the type of dog you'd get if you had permission.

Good luck

RightOnTheEdge · 04/07/2022 00:00

The problem with a dog is that you will have to take it out a lot and a neighbour might report you.
An indoor cat might be a good idea. You could maybe get an older one from a rescue that just wants to snuggle up or a pet rat or a house bunny or something.
The only problem might be if you need a repair or something. My HA has its own in house repairmen.
I don't know if a plumber or whatever would care if you had a pet or not though or know that you're not allowed to have one.

LilacPoppy · 04/07/2022 00:02

I would get a house cat , the majority of council turn a blind eye. Work men etc don’t work for the council themselves so unlikely they council would ever really come into your flat.

wishmyhousetidy · 04/07/2022 00:05

Dog in a flat not fair on your neighbours and probably unfair on a dog. Guinea pigs a good idea, but really think a dog is not fair on anyone. I live in a flat and the dog, in adjacent flat barks whenever the owner leaves the flat

BiscoffSundae · 04/07/2022 00:09

I have to be honest I would report a neighbour if they got a dog in a flat when they are not allowed to, my neighbour in my old flat got a dog, we lived on the 3rd floor and when she couldn’t be bothered to walk it she would shut it out on the front communal balcony (no back private balcony) it made it hard to get in and out as I had a pram and the dog would jump up at me and bark at me every time I left my flat or try to run in my flat.

rummynose · 04/07/2022 01:07

Pifflewiffle · 03/07/2022 23:33

In my block - new build with communal entrance there's been one exception to the no pet rule for a tenant who is disabled. While her dog is not strictly speaking an actual assistance dog, it does provide immense emotional support. They were allocated a ground floor flat. The dog isn't barky and is very well behaved . You wouldn't know he was there other than you can see him looking out the window. I would ask, make a case for how important it would be and see how they react. They can only say no so you've nothing to lose by asking.

This would be my advice too. It may say no pets in your tenancy but this could have changed. Give them a call them and ask what their current pet policy is and maybe ask for a copy.

All dog owners are expected to be responsible as part of the permission whether in a flat or a house. Each dogs needs are different. Some may need a garden or some may be happy with a walk and spend the rest of the time on a sofa such as an older ex racing greyhound. Just make sure you do your research first like any potential owner should be doing.

It isn't a definitive no just because you're in a flat. It will depend on what the landlords policy says and they vary organisation to organisation.

rummynose · 04/07/2022 01:11

Should have added definitely don't just go and get one without having permission, as would be a breach of tenancy and could put your home at risk.

Many engineers would report back as have a duty to such as the person who would come and so your yearly gas inspection. Neighbours may also report you so would be hard not to be 'found out'.

WishILivedInThrushGreen · 04/07/2022 16:22

If you're out at work all day then please don't get a dog.
It's not fair on them.

And , personally, I wouldn't get Guinea pigs either ( they can be quite vocal at times) or any other caged pet.
Animals should never live in cages .

DancingHorse · 04/07/2022 16:26

I'd say just ask permission again, state your case. We had our dog living in our flat with us for a few years and it was absolutely fine.

motogirl · 04/07/2022 16:33

Dogs are not a good idea in flats plus as you live alone who will care for it whilst you are at work?

DisplayPurposesOnly · 04/07/2022 16:48

Agree with others you need to consider more thoroughly how you can meet a dog's needs before progressing this. As it stands you're only considering the benefits to you.

And yes think about the full range of pets. Cat, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, birds - god knows rescues are full of all sorts.

And maybe you should really be thinking about doing things that extend your opportunities for human interaction? Yoga, walking group, book club, job in a bar...?