PET lovers living in a Silva Home property will now be able to own a four-legged friend.

The housing association group has changed their pet policy to allow residents to keep pets in their homes.

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Silva manages 7,500 rented, leasehold and shared ownership homes across Bracknell and surrounding areas.

The company has decided to review its policies and listen to its customers by allowing pets in homes.

Speaking to Inside Housing, the executive director of Silva said potential customers were refusing homes that they 'desperately' needed because they did not want to part ways from their beloved pets.

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Dasos Christou, Silva Homes executive director, said: “When people are looking for a new home, either to rent or buy through shared-ownership, the thought of not being able to have a pet, or even bring their current pet to their new home, can be extremely traumatic.

"Now, every application for a pet will be looked at on its own merit and so long as there are no major issues which would impact on the animal or surrounding residents, we will happily give the go-ahead.”

Research published in the British Medical Journal shows pets can decrease stress and loneliness while increasing physical activity and social interaction levels.

However, The National Landlords Association reported 55 per cent of landlords do not allow their tenants to keep pets. 

Silva Homes has said if residents want to keep a pet at home, they will have to fill in a pet care form which ensures you agree to take good care of your pet and ensure they don't cause a 'nuisance in the community'

This includes cats, dogs and rabbits and you don't need to sign a contract for small caged animals, fish of service animals.