Pets to be banned from blocks of flats?

The Council has published a list of changes to the tenancy rules which will apply to tenants. The major change is that success tenancies (when the tenant dies) will only be available for spouses/partners.  Other long term occupants of a property might be offered a tenancy of a size appropriate for their needs.

Most controversial proposal may be a suggestion from a tenants group that there be an outright ban, on tenants living in flats, from keeping a pet. It is likely that existing pets would not be affected.

The Councils permission to keep a pet in any of its properties (click here to read proposals) would be required. Bizarrely this appears to include goldfish. No more than  2 pets per home would be allowed (so bad news for mice and rabbits possibly) .

While a ban on keeping potentially noisy – or aggressive – dogs or more exotic animals, in a particular block of flats, might gain some support, it would seem harsh in the extreme to prevent elderly single people from having the companionship provided by (say) a cat.

Some of the other proposed changes may be more welcome. New conditions proposed include:

• Requirement not to excessively clutter the home so as to cause health and safety problems, access to essential services and damage to the property. Note: There has been a big increase in behaviour which can be described as hoarding. Advice that CYC will remove any items left in communal to keep environment sterile in line with current procedures and relevant legislation.
• Garden section – “You must keep your garden neat and tidy this includes managing the lawn, removing weeds, pruning hedges, shrubs and trees. If the garden is overgrown and you do not have a good reason for not doing the work yourself, we may do the work and charge you a reasonable cost for doing it. Section on trees has been expanded to: You are responsible for any trees that are within the boundary of the Property but you (or someone on your behalf) cannot cut down trees and hedges within the boundaries of your home without first getting written Council permission. You must not plant very large or fast growing trees or conifer species in the gardens of the property or that may cause damage, nuisance or obstruction. If you think that a tree may be dangerous you must report Annex B this to us. Where we decide that any trees or shrubs are a nuisance or dangerous we will prune, replace or remove”.
• Tenants cannot “park a variety of vehicles including a motor home or boat within the boundaries of your home, including the front and rear garden, or take them over council owned grass verges without providing a hard standing to a specified standard and a car crossing over the pavement or path. You must not keep a vehicle or vehicles within the boundary of the property that have no road tax or insurance without the express permission of City of York Council Housing Services”.
• Tenant must not store rubbish, furniture, household appliances or any unsightly objects in their garden, or in any shared garden.
• Occupying the property – if a tenant is away for more than one month without notifying Housing, they will deem them as no longer living there and seek possession.
• Communal (shared) Areas – tenants and their visitors cannot smoke in communal areas and congregate, especially at night as this may cause a nuisance to others in the block

Flexible tenancy start dates are proposed along with 52 week rent payments (i.e. no “free” weeks).

The proposals are being discussed at a meeting taking place on 16^th December.  A 6 week consultation period with tenants  – starting in mid December – is promised.