August is a big month for pets, with International Cat Day on the 8th and International Dog Day on the 26th. We are a nation of animal lovers and our sales team often gets asked by buyers what the Peabody pet policy is.
Peabody’s updated Pets Policy, effective from 21 September 2026, makes the rules clear for tenants, leaseholders, shared owners, lodgers and subletters.
Peabody changed its pet policy several years ago as we want people living in a Peabody home to experience the benefits of pet ownership.
In most cases, residents can keep up to two dogs, two cats and a reasonable number of small or caged animals without seeking permission. However, the terms of your tenancy agreement or lease, and any rules set by a third-party managing agent, will always take precedence.
The benefits of owning a pet
There is some very strong evidence of the benefits of pet ownership:
It is estimated to save the NHS up to £2.45bn annually as pet owners make 15% fewer visits to their GP.
Pet owners are reportedly 60% more likely than non-pet owners to get to know people in their neighbourhoods they had not known before.
Pet owners develop stronger community ties than non-pet owners, and are more willing to support and help others locally.
Peabody Pet policy
Under Peabody’s updated Pets Policy, most residents do not need permission to keep a reasonable number of pets.
This applies whether they live in a flat or a house and whether or not they have access to a private garden.
However, the terms of a resident’s tenancy agreement or lease, as well as any rules set by a third-party managing agent, will always take precedence.
Pet owners must act responsibly and make sure their animals do not cause nuisance, damage or safety concerns. Where these standards are not met, we may withdraw permission, work with animal welfare organisations, or take further action in line with our policies.
Residents can usually keep the following pets without seeking permission:
Two dogs
Two cats
A reasonable number of small mammals and/or caged animals
Residents must seek written permission to keep any additional pets above these limits. We will consider the household’s circumstances and the nature of the property, provide a decision within 10 days, and explain the reasons if a request is refused. This also applies to residents moving into a Peabody home through a transfer, decant or mutual exchange.
Trained assistance dogs, including guide dogs and dogs trained to assist deaf people, are allowed in all circumstances.
The policy covers tenants, leaseholders, shared owners, lodgers and subletters living in homes owned or managed by the Peabody Group.
If a lease or rules issued by a third party managing the site set specific requirements for pet ownership, those terms take precedence. Residents in sheltered and supported housing must seek approval before keeping a pet and will generally be limited to one pet per resident, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Which animals are prohibited under Peabody's Pet Policy?
Under no circumstances are households permitted to keep the following as pets:
Animals listed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (including large mammals, carnivores, larger or venomous reptiles, dangerous spiders and scorpions)
Any endangered species
Any hybrid between a domestic and a wild animal
Bees
Dogs listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (i.e. XL Bully, Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro)
Guard dogs
Livestock (including poultry, horses and cattle)
We retain the right to withdraw permission to keep a pet where the pet has caused nuisance or we believe the owner to be showing signs of animal cruelty or neglect.
What are the responsibilities for pet owners under Peabody Policy?
We expect all pet owners to behave responsibly by upholding the following standards:
Care for pets responsibly. This includes giving them a healthy diet, protecting them from abuse, providing a suitable home for the type of pet, including whether they should live with or apart from other animals, and not leaving them unattended for a significant amount of time.
Keep pets under control and supervised, and do not allow them to cause a nuisance to other households. This includes dogs being kept on a lead in communal areas, not entering children’s play areas and being under control when Peabody employees or contractors attend a property.
Clean up any fouling in communal areas immediately.
Owners must make a conscious effort to stop unpleasant smells being released from their home due to their pet(s).
Owners are responsible for any damage their pets cause to Peabody property or to other residents’ property or belongings. Owners may be recharged for any repairs which are needed as a result of such damage.
All dogs older than eight weeks must be microchipped and wear a collar and tag in public.
Cats must be microchipped before they reach 20 weeks of age.
Animals must not be kept for the purposes of breeding or sale. [The previous requirement stating that offspring could be kept for up to eight weeks has been removed from the updated policy.]
Owners must have suitable care arrangements in place for their pet if they are going to be absent for long periods.
Residents should not attempt to install cat or dog flaps without our prior consent as these can compromise the fire safety of a property.
If a pet dies, its body must be buried or disposed of in a responsible and safe manner.
Households are expected to uphold the same standards for any animals visiting their property.
How will pet-related issues be handled under Peabody Pet Policy?
We will work with residents to address pet-related issues or any circumstances affecting the owner which have led to these issues. This may include referrals to specialist animal welfare organisations for information, advice and guidance.
Where a pet owner fails to engage with these efforts, or if the level of nuisance, cruelty or neglect is significant, we will take more serious action. This may include making a referral to the local authority and/or police, requiring the rehoming of the animal, or in some cases seeking possession of the property. Where a decision has been made to rehome an animal, we will allow this to take place within a reasonable timeframe, but no later than 30 days from the request to rehome the pet. We will consider allowing more time if requested.
It is illegal for a pet owner to allow their dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place. This includes any incidents where injury occurs or there is a fear that an injury might occur. We will report all such incidents to the police, and this may result in sanctions or criminal prosecution.
We will report any complaint of animal cruelty to the RSPCA and will report any stray or abandoned animals to the relevant local authority.
We will investigate issues relating to nuisance or anti-social behaviour in line with our Anti-Social Behaviour Policy.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in January 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness. It was last updated in September 2026 to reflect Peabody’s revised Pets Policy.
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