Kingsway Senior Housing Final Pet Rules
In accordance with Section 227 of the Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1983, “owner or management agent of federally assisted rental housing for the elderly or handicapped may as a condition of tenancy or otherwise prohibit or prevent tenants of such housing from owning or keeping common household pets in their unit, or restrict or discriminate against persons in connection to admission to, our continued occupancy of such housing because they only common household pets.”
These rules and regulations governing the keeping of household pets at Kingsway Senior Housing have been designed with guidelines set forth in 24 CFR Part 243 “Pet Ownership in Housing for the Elderly or Handicapped." While these rules reasonably relate to further legitimate interest of the project owner, such as the owners interest in providing a decent, safe and sanitary living environment for existing and prospective tenants and in protecting and preserving the physical condition of the project and the owner’s legitimate interest without imposing unnecessary burdens and restrictions on pets owners and prospective pet owners.
These rules and regulations are strictly enforced at Kingsway Senior Housing. Pet owners should carefully scrutinize these rules to avoid misunderstandings and violations.
1. Definition: Per HUD Handbook 4350.1, Chapter 32, Section 1, Page 32-1, the term or definition of a “common household pet” is a domesticated animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, rodent (including a rabbit), fish, or turtle, that is traditionally kept in the home for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes. Reptiles, with the exception of a turtle, are not part of this classification and will not be allowed.
The Kingsway management has the right to refuse or revoke permission for a resident to have a pet in their unit if the resident violates any of the Pet Rules and Regulations as listed below of if the landlord determines that the pet owner is unable to keep the pet in compliance with the rules and regulations as set forth in the HUD Management Handbook 4350.1, 32-163.
2. Size Limitation: Cats and Dogs cannot exceed a weight limit of more than twenty pounds (20lbs) or exceed a height of more than twelve (12) inches at maturity.
3. Number of Pets Allowed: Residents will not be allowed to have more than one (1) four legged, warm-blooded, pet reside in their unit.
4. Registration: All pets must be registered with the Kingsway Management Office Prior to the resident bringing the pet into the Kingsway facility the owner will be required to complete a pet registration and all attachments. Pet registration is to be updated on an annual basis at the time of the resident’s annual recertification.
1) Owners of dogs and cats are required to take the pet to a veterinarian for an evaluation annual at the owner’s expense. The resident will present the Kingsway management office written verification from a licensed veterinarian, on the veterinarian’s letterhead, that the animal has received all vaccinations as required by state and local law.
2) All resident pet owners must provide the Kingsway management office with the name, address and telephone number of one or more responsible persons who will care for the pet should the owner no longer be able to care for the pet for any reason.
3) No resident will be allowed to bring or keep any unregistered pet on the Kingsway Property.
5. Security Deposit- Cats and Dogs: A refundable pet deposit in the amount of three hundred dollars ($300.00) is required from any resident who owns a dog or cat. This deposit will be in addition to any further financial obligation. This pet deposit may be paid in a one-time payment for the full amount or it may be made in monthly payments if not less than ten dollars ($10.00). All monthly payments for pet deposits are to be paid at the same time as the monthly rent is paid.
This pet deposit may be used to pay reasonable expenses attributable to the presence of the pet in the unit, including to but not limited to the cost of repairs, fumigation, and/or the cost of animal care facilities. Any unused portion will be refunded to the resident within thirty (30) days of the residents vacating the unit, or written notification from the resident that the pet is no longer owned or kept in the unit.
6. Physical Condition: Pet Owners are to schedule regular examinations with a licensed veterinarian to maintain the health and physical condition of the pet. All dogs and cats over the age of six (6) months of age must be spayed and/or neutered.
7. Control: Pets cannot roam free in the Kingsway building, or property. All pets must be leashed and under complete control of their owner.
8.Excerise/Watering Area: Kingsway does not provide any area on any portion of the Kingsway property to be used for exercising or elimination for pets.
9. Waste Removal: Pet owners are responsible for the proper disposal of all pet waste. All dogs must be removed from the Kingsway property for exercise and elimination. Under no circumstances, or for any reason may any pet eliminate in the unit or any of the Kingsway common areas. Paper trained is not acceptable.
• Litter boxed for cats, or other animals that use a litter box, must be changed no less than twice a week. Pet owners are required to separate the waste from the litter box at least once a day. The daily waste is to be double bagged in plastic bags and sealed or tied and disposed of with the daily household trash.
• Paper used to line the bottom of bird cages must be changed no less than once a day. Cages must be thoroughly cleaned no less than once a week. Waste and used papers must be double bagged in plastic bags and disposed of with the resident’s household trash.
Inclement weather or physical condition of the pet owner does not justify neglect of this rule.
10. Aquarium and Fish Bowls: Aquariums and fish tanks must be cleaned no less than once every two (2) months. Dead fish must be placed in a sealed plastic bag and disposed of with the resident’s household trash. Under no circumstances is a resident allowed to flush any dead fish down the toilet.
11. Noise and Odor: Pet owners must control the noise and odor that may be caused by their pet. The unit must be kept clean and sanitary. Management recommends the use of a disinfectant spray and cleaner to be used once a month throughout the unit. Pet owners will be responsible for maintaining a healthy environment and insure proper standards, care and humane treatment of the pet. They must also respect the quiet enjoyment and living of all Kingsway residents and control the noise made by their pets. Excessive noise will be considered a violation of the pet rules and regulations.
12. Emergency Evacuation Procedures: Pets are not allowed to be removed from the unit during any type of emergency. Pet owners must follow emergency regulation procedures; all pets must be left in the bathroom in the unit. Resident safety and evacuation is given primary consideration. Pet evacuation is given secondary consideration.
13. Unit Modifications: Residents cannot alter the unit in any way to make any kind of an enclosure for any pet.
14. Temper: If any pet nips, bites, or attacks any other pet, resident, visitor, or vendor, the landlord will require the pet be removed from the Kingsway property immediately. If the resident refuses to remove the pet, the landlord will contact animal control and have the pet removed, and Kingsway reserves the right to begin legal process to terminate lease.