Fact SheetPets in Housing Tasmania Homes

At Housing Tasmania we realise that pets are an important part of many people’s lives. If you wish to keep a pet, you need to get permission first. We will only give permission if we believe that the type of home you live in is suitable for the type of pet you want. Some pets are suitable in almost all homes (like goldfish) while other pets have particular needs, such as a large dog needing a larger, fenced yard.

When might permission not be given?

Permission may not be given if:

Your home does not have an enclosed rear yard large enough for the type of animal The type or height of fencing is unsuitable for that pet The individual animal is considered to be dangerous by the local council The breed of animal is listed as dangerous by the local council or Housing Tasmania

believes the animal to be dangerous Your home has body corporate rules that limit or prohibit the keeping of animals The animal prevents access to the services for the property (meter box) The keeping of the animals requires a kennel licence. This varies from council to council

but would normally apply to two or more animals The animal/s are used for business, racing or breeding purposes of a commercial

nature. This may be a breach of the Housing Tasmania lease and you will need to discuss with us first

The animal is not a pet which is usually kept in a domestic setting, such as a horse or goat

There is a history of poor treatment of animals such as RSPCA involvement or abandonment

If the animal/s are not owned by the tenant or a household member. However, permission may be granted for a short term stay.

Housing Tasmania will not refuse permission where the animal assists the tenant or a household member with a disability e.g. guide dog.

What are my responsibilities if I keep a pet? V2.0 Oct 2013

If we approve your request to keep a pet, you will need to: Have the animal registered with the local council where required, and provide a copy of

this registration to Housing Tasmania Comply with all legal obligations for keeping the pet (from 1 July 2011 this will include a

dog aged 6 months or more being micro-chipped) Care for the animal in a satisfactory manner (this includes appropriate disposal of

waste) Be responsible for controlling the animal at all times and ensure it does not:

o Disturb neighbours o Become a nuisance or danger o Cause damage to the property.

We may revoke our permission for you to keep pets at any time with little notice. We may do this if we believe that you are not meeting your responsibilities. In extreme circumstances we can have pets removed from your property or we may seek to end your tenancy.

Council Determination - Dangerous Dogs

Housing Tasmania takes the safety of all member of the community seriously. The keeping of dangerous animals (particularly dogs) in residential areas is not seen as consistent with establishing and maintaining an inclusive family-friendly community.

Where a local Council, under the Dog Control Act (2000), has served a public housing tenant with a notice declaring their dog/s to be dangerous, Housing Tasmania will generally not consent to the modifications required to facilitate the keeping of such dogs. If a notice has been served by the Council and Housing Tasmania has not given permission for the construction of the required enclosure/s, the council will take appropriate action under the Dog Control Act (2000) for the removal of the dog/s from the property.

When permission is sought to construct an enclosure on Housing Tasmania property, you must put the request in writing to Housing Tasmania. Housing Tasmania must reply to you in writing.

On the rare occasions that Housing Tasmania grants permission, it is your responsibility to seek all the necessary approvals to enable the erection of such an enclosure or installation of a restraining lead, within prescribed timeframes.

When a dog is determined as dangerous under the Dog Control Act (2000) and Housing Tasmania has granted permission for the dog to remain at the property, you are required, amongst other things, to house the dog within a childproof enclosure or ensure it is restrained by a short lead or as instructed by your Council. If you own a dog that has been declared dangerous you must also ensure that there are approved warning signs on every entrance to the property. Your local Council’s animal control officers will be able to advise you what form these signs should take.

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Any structure you erect, including signs, must be removed on vacation and the property, including the yard, returned to its original condition. If you do not remove the structure or signs, the charges to remove the structure and return the property to the original condition will be passed onto you.

When neighbouring residents have complaints about dangerous dogs in their neighbourhood, they are encouraged to contact their local Council. Housing Tasmania will determine if permission has been granted for a tenant to have a pet when complaints are received and will act accordingly if they do not have permission. If Tenancy Officers are unsure whether a Council has declared a tenant’s dog/s dangerous, Housing Tasmania will contact the relevant Council to confirm. Housing Tasmania will report any breaches regarding Council instructions by a tenant at this time.

Does having a pet affect my application for housing?

No. But you may have to wait longer for a home as having a pet reduces the number of properties that you are suitable for.

You may be offered homes that are not suitable for your pet. If you reject an offer because of your pet, this may be treated as an unreasonable rejection of housing, unless you need the pet to alleviate the effects of a disability (such as a guide dog). If you unreasonably reject two offers of housing, your housing need may be downgraded one category for 6 months, meaning your position on the waiting list for housing will be lower.

If you are applying for social housing, Housing Connect will complete a housing and support assessment.

More Information

If you would like further information, please contact your local Housing Tasmania Area office.

Information contained in this fact sheet has been obtained from the following Housing Tasmania policy:

Pets in Housing Tasmania Homes

Housing Connect can be contacted on their 24 hour freecall number on: 1800 800 588 if you would like to discuss your housing and/or support needs options.

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