Requirements

A clear dog policy is publicly accessible before a prospective resident commits to the home, stating the terms on which dogs are kept.

Dogs are accepted as a normal part of residency; decisions follow published criteria that are reasonable and applied consistently to comparable cases.

A dog is assessed on its individual behaviour, not excluded by blanket breed, size, or weight rules.

Any dog-related charge, including deposits, fees, and pet rent, is proportionate to genuine cost, disclosed up front, and refundable where held against damage.

Any decision on keeping a dog is made within a stated, reasonable timeframe, with lawful refusals given in writing; a provider cannot dodge this by staying informal.

The terms a resident signed up to are honoured for their tenancy; dog terms are not changed on an existing resident without agreement, and no change forces a dog out.

The home provides, or allows the resident to provide, the conditions a dog needs to live safely, including protection from temperature extremes and avoidable hazards.

Residents with dogs have practical daily access to a suitable place for a dog to relieve itself and take exercise.

The shared routes a dog must use to enter, leave, and move about the home are navigable safely.

Conditions that harm a dog's welfare in shared living, such as constant noise, are actively mitigated; any structural limit is addressed as far as possible and disclosed.

The home and any outdoor space a dog uses are arranged so a dog cannot easily escape or fall.

Hygienic provision is made for the disposal of dog waste in common areas.

Where the provider offers shared dog facilities, such as relief areas or washing points, they are hygienic, functional, and maintained.

Rules for dogs in common areas, such as leash, waste, and designated areas, are published and applied consistently as ordinary operating conditions.