Enfield Council tenants warned against owning banned XL bully dogs

The civic centre has officially updated its pet policy for tenants to bring it into line with the government’s ban on the dangerous animals, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter

An XL Bully dog (credit Dlexus via Wikimedia Commons)

Enfield Council is warning its tenants to comply with a new law banning a breed of dangerous dog.

As of the start of this month, the council officially updated its pet policy for tenants to bring it into line with the government’s ban on XL bully dogs.

The changes update the council’s tenancy rules so they comply with national legislation, which prohibits ownership of XL bullies unless the owner has a valid exemption.

A draft version of the update was approved last month by Lee Chamberlain, the council’s cabinet member for housing and technology.

The policy will apply to all tenants, leaseholders and family members living in council homes, and also includes communal areas and estate grounds.

It will ensure that the council is compliant with The Dangerous Dogs Order 2023, which came into force on 1st February 2024. The order prohibits ownership of XL Bully dogs, subject to exemptions.

The updated measures also contain a “clarification” on pet ownership rules in sheltered housing and on the definition of assistance dogs and access rights, as set out by the Equality Act 2010. This, the council says, is aimed at “ensuring residents with disabilities are not disadvantaged”.

The pet policy is also aimed at ensuring compliance with new safety regulations for social housing under Awaab’s Law, part of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.

This could see a new focus on addressing “pet-related hazards”, such as severe odour, infestation and structural damage caused by animals.

In their report, council officers noted that the 2023 regulations do not specifically mention hazards caused by pets, but added that “there may be a change in the relatively near future, 2026–2027, which may introduce categories of hazard linked to animals living in the relevant property”.

Outside of legislative and regulatory compliance, the local authority says the risks of not updating its pet policy include an “increased risk of dispute, complaint or escalation in pet-related nuisance” and antisocial behaviour.

In its report, the council argued that the new policy is “informed by research and best practice, as well as new legislation and feedback from residents and ensures we meet our obligations as a landlord while setting out clearer expectations intended to reduce disputes and complaints”.

The plan is aimed at setting out “a clear and supportive framework that encourages responsible pet ownership while ensuring that pets do not cause nuisance, harm, or damage to people, property, or other animals”.

The council says the proposals will help “residents to enjoy their pets without unnecessary restriction whilst also setting out a proportional, evidence-based enforcement framework for ensuring other residents, animals, property and communal areas are not negatively impacted”

It added that the council “recognises the benefits that pets provide to many residents’ wellbeing, independence and quality of life”.

The update comes after an assessment of the previous policy as well as “internal input across council services, current operational practices, relevant legislation, and engagement with residents through the Enfield 500 panel”.

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