Can I really be forced to remove dog from flat I own?

GSD4ME

Two years ago I lost my job and was forced to sell my house before it was repossessed. I bought a small flat with the money which is a bit small for me and my dog but is better than the tent we had to live in for the first 2 months after the house sale.

My dog has been very good and quiet, I am a gardener so he is out all day with me getting lots of exercise and when we are home in the evening he usually sleeps all the time. I have spoken to the other neighbours in our block and they have all said that they never hear a sound from him and he is no bother at all. All except for one old hag who has taken a dislike to me and seems determined to persecute me and the dog. According to her she has complained to the police, the council and the freeholders of the block of flats. The council and the police clearly ignored her comments as I have heard nothing from them. The freeholders wrote to me. Dogs are allowed in the flats as long as they cause no nuisance to other tenants.

I replied to their first letter saying that the old hag had told them a lot of lies, she said he barks all day long and crashes around all night - total rubbish. They have now written again saying that they agree that he makes no noise and no-one else has ever complained about him but as the old cow has moaned I have to get rid of him.

Asking me to get rid of him is like asking someone to get rid of their child. I know some will not understand that but dog owners will. It really annoys me, I have done everything to be a good neighbour, I am always tidying the garden and clearing the car park, vacuuming the stairs etc. As I own the flat can the building owners really say my dog must go and what can I do about it please?

thelem

What does the lease of your flat say? If it doesn't mention dogs or pets then you're OK, but if it does I'm not sure what your options are (other than selling). You will have been sent the lease as part of your conveyancing, and should have read it carefully and raised any concerns at that point.

R_P_W

What does the leasehold say?

GSD4ME

The lease says dogs are allowed as long as they are not a nuisance to anyone else. I would not have bought the flat if dogs were not allowed.

thelem

In that case I would say that it is up to the "old hag" to prove how the dog is causing a nuisance. Where is her flat in relation to yours btw? Above / below / shared walls?

LittleMax

I would just ignore her - as thelem says, she has to prove her case. Leave her to it and don't worry.

GSD4ME

Her flat is below mine to one side and I would ignore her but this letter from the block owners tells me the dog has to go. If I ignore it what can they do about it bearing in mind I own the flat?

I cannot get a mortgage so if I have to move out we will be back in the tent and it is a bit cold at the moment for that.

Twopints

So, following their logic, if you complain about her, will they have to get rid of her?

HappyMJ

GSD4ME wrote: »

Her flat is below mine to one side and I would ignore her but this letter from the block owners tells me the dog has to go. If I ignore it what can they do about it bearing in mind I own the flat?

I cannot get a mortgage so if I have to move out we will be back in the tent and it is a bit cold at the moment for that.

You wouldn't be out next week in any case...it takes them months to gather the evidence required to take you to court...civil court though so nothing to worry about.

sinbad182

You won't have to do anything. Write a polite letter back, quoting that passage from the lease, and say that since the dog has not been a nuisance to anyone you will not be getting rid of it.

elsien

Can you get statements off other people in the block to say that there isn't a problem with the dog? Especially if they're above or below you, or directly to one side.
Also start gathering evidence to show that the dog is out with you all day, so can't possibly be causing the problems that she says. And keep the letter saying they acknowledge he's not a nuisance. They do rather seem to have shot themselves in the foot with that one.