Keeping pets and animals

We understand that keeping pets can greatly enhance your wellbeing and enjoyment of life. This statement outlines Ipswich Borough Council's approach to managing pets and animals for our tenants.

Tenant responsibilities

Under the Council’s Tenancy Agreement, tenants must obtain written permission before keeping any animal, bird, or reptile at their property. This policy helps us ensure that pets are managed responsibly and that any issues are addressed promptly.

Permission for pets

Existing Pets

Tenants who already had pets before September 2015 do not need to submit a new request unless they wish to acquire additional pets.
New Requests

For any new pets or additional animals, tenants must apply for permission.

Managing Complaints

Ipswich Borough Council handles requests for permissions and addresses any complaints related to pets and animals from tenants and neighbours. This ensures that any concerns are managed fairly and efficiently.

Dangerous Dogs

In response to a concerning rise in attacks and fatalities involving XL Bully dogs, the government has recently added this breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

For more information on the regulations concerning XL Bully dogs, please refer to the full policy (PDF).