Who’s in the pecking order – Landlord or tenant?

Who’s in the pecking order – Landlord or tenant?

0:07 AM, 24th February 2023, About A year ago 7

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Hello, Our tenant has contacted us about a neighbour who is keeping chickens. Their hen house and run is at the bottom of our tenant’s garden and he is complaining about daily noise and occasional smells. There has been no mention of rats or other pests.

As a landlord do I have any responsibility to ‘deal’ with this problem or should we expect our tenant to take action himself?

Thanks,

Patricia

 


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Comments

David Houghton

12:25 PM, 24th February 2023, About A year ago

Short answer no. His problem. Tell he can speak to the council,they won't deal with you as you do not live there.
The only exception is if there's a restrictive covenant you can enforce. There's a few of those against keeping pigs,. (from Victorian times) not heard of one about chickens. Although at the moment they need to be cooped because of avian flu

Oldbutnotdead

12:28 PM, 24th February 2023, About A year ago

No it's not something you can be held responsible for. You (or your tenant) might want to check with local environmental health for your councils policy re chickens in gardens, they may come and inspect if you persist
A lot depends on where the house is- middle of the countryside Vs middle of the town.

Judith Wordsworth

14:15 PM, 24th February 2023, About A year ago

Not your problem.

Your tenant needs to complain to the Environmental Health Dept and DEFRA (if the chickens were outside during the avian flu restrictions then big fines!).
https://www.bhwt.org.uk/health-welfare/avian-influenza-restrictions/

Reluctant Landlord

15:41 PM, 24th February 2023, About A year ago

back to the tenant to sort out - not your issue!

Old Mrs Landlord

17:43 PM, 24th February 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by David Houghton at 24/02/2023 - 12:25
Agree. We let out a two-bed house which has a covenant ruling out the keeping of chickens so we always make sure new tenants are aware.. At the moment (until Apri lif we run true to last year's pattern) poultry has to be kept in a building or coop. There can be a run attached as long as the mesh netting has holes small enough to keep out wild birds, which is a challenge as young wrens can squeeze through a smaller than helf-inch gap.

Old Mrs Landlord

18:08 PM, 24th February 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by David Houghton at 24/02/2023 - 12:25
Agree. We let out a two-bed house which has a covenant ruling out the keeping of chickens so we always make sure new tenants are aware.. At the moment (until Apri lif we run true to last year's pattern) poultry has to be kept in a building or coop. There can be a run attached as long as the mesh netting has holes small enough to keep out wild birds, which is a challenge as young wrens can squeeze through a smaller than half-inch gap.

shaun carter

8:52 AM, 2nd March 2023, About A year ago

When it comes to neighbours, its the tenants responsibility, unless issues like right if ways etc become issue. Law related land lord, but canve tenant; if just general ie noise etc tenant. Nice approach always best. In relation to chickens touch to try and get court order if noisy Cockerell etc different story

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