Pets in your home

How many pets or the type of pets you can have depend on the type of property you rent from us.

If you live in a flat with a communal building entrance

You cannot have dogs, cats and other pets because you live in a flat with a communal building entrance. For more information about pets in flats, call 0191 525 5000 and select option 4.

If you live in sheltered housing or an extra care scheme

You must ask us for permission before you get any pet. If you want a pet, contact your Scheme Manager.

If you are a leaseholder

You must ask us for permission before you get any pet. If you want a pet:

If you live in any other type of property

You can only keep small domestic pets, like 2 small dogs or 2 cats. You need our permission to have any other kind of pet.

Customers must ensure they are fully compliant with all legislation that applies to their pet. As of 31 October 2023, the XL Bully was added to the list of breeds covered by the Dangerous Dogs Act. By 1 February 2024, any customer owning an XL Bully must have provided Gentoo with a copy of the required Certificate of Exemption for each dog owned. Failing to do so could result in a breach of your tenancy agreement. 

Customers should also be aware that Gentoo staff must be shown a duty of care when visiting their property. Customers are responsible for ensuring their pets do not impact in any way on our colleagues during their visit or are aggressive towards them. Customers must also ensure all unsecured pets are kept securely in a separate room whilst a visit is being undertaken. Failure to guarantee this could result in the visit being cancelled.

More information on banned dogs and the Dangerous Dogs Act can be found on the government's website.

For more information about pets in your home, call 0191 525 5000 and select option 4.