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We’re happy for you to keep pets in most cases, as long as you have the right space and can care for them well. To protect animals and make sure neighbours aren’t disturbed, we include some simple rules about pet ownership in your tenancy agreement.

You do not need permission for small fish, birds or mammals kept indoors in cages, bowls or tanks. However, you do need permission for all other pets.

Bostin Terrier pet dog

Our Pets Policy

We want all of our customers to feel safe and comfortable in their home, and that is true of their pets as well. Our Pets Policy helps to outline acceptable conditions for keeping pets.

  • Dogs are not allowed in low‑rise or high‑rise flats with communal entrances.

  • You can keep up to two dogs in other properties, but this depends on the space available.

  • We strongly encourage microchipping.

  • When outside your home, your dog must wear a collar and tag with your name and address, as required by law.

  • Dogs must always be kept on a lead in communal areas and must not roam in public spaces.

  • You must keep your dog under control at all times and prevent nuisance or distress.

  • Take all reasonable steps to prevent fouling in communal areas.

  • You must clean up dog waste immediately and dispose of it safely.

  • When Magenta Living colleagues or contractors visit, dogs must be kept under control and ideally secured in another room.

You must not:

  • Breed or board dogs at your home.

  • Chain or tether dogs in communal areas.

  • Leave a dog alone for long periods.

  • Cats can only be kept in homes with direct access to outdoor space.

  • Cats are not allowed in properties with communal entrances.

  • You can keep up to two cats, depending on the space.

  • We encourage microchipping and neutering.

  • You must take reasonable steps to prevent nuisance.

If you already have written permission for a cat or dog in a communal‑entrance property, this will continue until the pet’s end of life, as long as it does not cause nuisance or annoyance.

  • Small pets such as rats, mice, gerbils and hamsters must be kept in suitable numbers and conditions.

  • Rabbits and guinea pigs should normally be kept outdoors. You must have access to outside space with a secure exercise run, away from direct sun and protected from predators.

  • Avoid breeding by keeping same‑sex or neutered animals.

  • Their home must be kept free from excess droppings.

  • You may keep small caged birds if the cage is large enough for them to fully spread their wings and perch comfortably.

  • Ideally, birds should be allowed to exercise safely outside the cage, as long as they cannot escape.

  • Keep their environment clean and free from excess droppings.

If you want an outdoor aviary, you must request permission in writing and explain:

  • How you will reduce any noise or nuisance, including rodent control.

  • The size and design of the structure, including measurements.

  • Whether planning permission may be required.

We will ask neighbours for their views. Any objection means permission will not be granted.
Permission is not given for racing or show pigeons that need exercise outside the loft.

We do not encourage keeping reptiles or spiders because they require specialist care.
If you wish to keep one:

  • You must show you can meet the animal’s care and welfare needs.

  • Animals needing a licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 are not permitted.

  • Permission will not be granted if the housing officer believes the pet poses a safety risk if it escapes.

  • We may consider applications for chickens, ducks and geese.

  • Permission is not given for micropigs.

  • We will limit the number of birds allowed.

  • Cockerels are not allowed.

Apply to keep a pet

Sign in to the customer portal, MyMagenta, to apply to keep a pet in your home. Alternatively, you can contact us if you have any further questions.

Take a look at our current policy

Find out more about keeping a pet in your home in our Pets Policy

Your Responsibilities

All customers who choose to keep pets are fully responsible for their care, welfare and behaviour. You must make sure your pet does not cause nuisance or break your tenancy agreement.

Straying and Fouling

If pets are allowed to roam or foul without immediate clean‑up, you will be asked to improve things. If problems continue, you may be required to re‑home the pet. If you refuse, we may seek an injunction to prevent pet ownership or begin possession proceedings.

Excessive Noise

If pets, especially dogs, cause noise nuisance (such as barking or howling), you must take steps to reduce this. Vets, dog wardens or other experts can help. If noise continues, you may have to re‑home the pet, and further enforcement action may follow.

Fleas and Vermin

You must keep your home clean and free from animal mess, fleas or vermin. If the problem continues after warnings, you may have to re‑home the pet and could face further action.

Other Rules

You must not:

  • Allow pets to wander in communal areas, landings or walkways.

  • Fail to control pets when Magenta Living colleagues or contractors visit.

You are also responsible for any pets brought to your home by visitors.

XL Bully Dogs

Following a rise in attacks and fatalities caused by XL Bully dogs, the Government added this breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

Here is some information to help current owners understand the new laws.

It is against the law to:

  • sell or exchange an XL Bully dog

  • abandon an XL Bully dog or let it stray

  • give away an XL Bully dog

  • breed from an XL Bully dog

  • have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle (a public place includes inside a vehicle, the muzzle must prevent the dog from biting a person and the person in charge of the lead must be at least 16 years old)

 It is a criminal offence to own an XL Bully dog in England and Wales unless your dog has a Certificate of Exemption. 

This certificate includes the need for third-party liability insurance and for the dog to be microchipped (already a legal requirement).  The dog will also need to be neutered. Certificates cost £92.40 per dog and these need to be in place. 

Read Keeping an XL Bully dog to find out how to get a Certificate of Exemption.

How to check if your dog is an XL Bully - Official definition of an XL Bully dog - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

How to muzzle train your dog - Dogs and muzzle training | Blue Cross

The Government has said that they will offer £200 per dog if an owner decides to have the dog put down rather than get an Exemption Certificate. No details have yet been provided for how this will operate.

If you believe a dog is dangerous or banned, you can report it to the police on 101.

If you live in a Magenta Living property and own an XL Bully, we expect you to comply with all requirements and may ask for proof of this. You may need to provide us with a Certificate of Exemption. If you fail to provide this, we will report this to the relevant authorities to enforce this.

If you believe a dog is dangerous or banned, you can report it to the Police on 101. If you believe a customer of ours has a dangerous or banned dog, please contact us on contact us to advise us of your concerns after you have informed the Police. We will then work with the Police to establish if the animal is licensed and exempt or if action needs to be taken.