Keeping venomous in rented accommodation.

OK, so I can pretty much smell my DWAL now but wanted to know before I put my foot in it. Is there any laws/regulations to say I have to inform the landlord of a rented property I will be keeping venomous snakes? I am 90% sure I will have to but I would imagine as soon as I mention the word 'venomous' to any landlord I will get a straight NO!!!

Thanks, Greg

Greg, I assume you have applied for your licence, is your council happy that you live in rented accommodation? When I applied, my council told me if I lived in rented accommodation, I would need approval from the landlord. I know each council is different though. Good luck.
Cheers,
Brian.

No I haven't sent the application, but I wanted to know whether to put the vivariums in my flat (which I rent) or build a double entry door system in my Mum's house in the spare room (which she is fine with). I haven't spoke to my landlord, but really I would want the room at my flat. I will have to see what my landlord says. Thanks for your help.

Greg.

Go with the room in your Mum's house. Even if you do get your DWAL, not telling the landlord that you are keeping venomous snakes there is nothing short of criminal. We all make mistakes and an escape in a rented apartment ... well, I dont need to go into details of what the repercussions would be.

I agree with Scotty, but it depends how often you go back to your mums house, and if you are happy with giving your mum the responsibility of having them there when you are elsewhere. I would talk to the landlord and then the council first. Is it a block of flats you are living in Greg, or just something like three stories high?
Cheers,
Brian.

There is no way you could keep DWA in rented accommodation without getting consent from the landlord/owner. Not only because they will almost certainly be involved somewhere along the line with your licence application, but also bear in mind you are likely to want to make some alterations to the property to make a hot room that will pass inspection!

If i were a landlord, and someone said "oh, by the way, ive just added a double door system into the spare bedroom and theres a chance a venomous snake could get loose throughout the house/terrace/flat" im pretty sure i wouldnt be able to evict you fast enough..

Be very nice to your landlord, explain the situation, be happy to pay him additional deposits and promise (in writing if necessary) that any alterations will not be permanent and will be removed before you leave.

Thats if your local council will allow you to get DWA in rented accommodation.

The issue in license applications is not with who owns the accommodation, as there is nowhere in the DWAA that says prospective licence applicants must own their own accommodation, but it's more whether the owner, as H said, will allow you a) make the necessary alterations to comply with the conditions of license and b) will allow you to keep pets, especially venomous snakes. If you're in council rented accommodation you are pretty much screwed, however, private landlords my be a little more approachable.

An outdoor shed/building may be your best course of action as it wouldn't involve any alterations to the property and wouldn't involve animals actually being in the property.

Thanks for input everyone.
I have decided to go with it at my Mum's house. In response to everyone;

Scotty - Thanks for info, I don't expect the landlord would let me for a second so there is no point asking.

Brian - I am at my Mum's at least twice a week which I believe to be adequate in respect of cleaning and feeding the animals. I feel 100% confident about leaving the venomous I plan on keeping at my Mum's. She has just as much, if not more, experience with reptiles as I have. I know venomous snakes is a very different kettle of fish (or snakes if you prefer Very Happy

) but I live 10mins away and she has no need to ever handle one. Also the person I would use as an emergency handler lives closer to my Mum. And I live in a 4 story building.

Helen - This is another issue I came across. The council said there is no law against it but the landlord must be informed. The guy I spoke to at the council also said most landlords don't allow cats which are hardly ever in the property, so the likelihood of a landlord allowing venomous snakes is pretty low.

Stuart - As I mention above, you are right about landlords hardly ever allowing pets, let alone venomous snakes. I did go down the route or looking in to an outdoor shed/building. We have a garage that we looked in to insulating and "escape proofing". All I shall say is, IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE!!!

Once again, thanks for all your feedback. I don't know where I would be without you guys Wink

Sounds like your Mums is the safest bet hun!

My landlord is very understanding... my argument was "snakes are kept in a vivarium.. which cause as much damage to a property as a chest of drawers! I understand why cats and dogs (animals the can cause damage/pee on things) arent allowed, but would snakes be ok?" at this point i fluttered eyelashes etc etc...

And snakes were allowed Wink

DWAL will wait until im in my own house though... as youve discovered - way too much red tape in regards to rented accommodation!!

Its nice to chat with more UK DWA keepers, keep us updated with your build and application! Very Happy

That sounds good Greg, good luck with it, keep us updated on your progress.
Cheers,
Brian.

Just thought I would let you all know how I am getting on.
I rang the council last week and spoke to a very nice lady. She is sending me the application form Very Happy

. One step closer.
I have also started work on the hot room. I am splitting the garage in to two sections. I am using two partition walls in order to have a double entry door system.
The next job will be boarding up, insulating and routing cables. FUN!!!

Thats all good news Greg, it is hard work, but worth it in the end. Good luck.
Cheers,
Brian.

Thanks Brian. Yes I am sure it is.
My aim is to have everything completed by the end of July. Fingers crossed.
If you don't mind me asking Brian, how long have you had your licence and what do you keep?

I have had my licence since 2004, but I have been keeping for over 42 years. At the moment I have:
0.1 Mojave Rattlesnake, Crotalus scutellatus.
0.1 Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, Crotalus helleri.
1x Central Asian Saw-scaled Viper, Echis carinatus multisquamatus.
0.1 West African Bush Viper, Atheris chlorechis.
1.1 Central American Jumping Vipers, Atropoides mexicanus.
2.1 Turkish Vipers, Montivipera xanthina
1.1 Kurdistan Rock Vipers, Montivipera raddei kurdistanica.
1.1 Armenian Rock Vipers, Montivipera raddei raddei.
1.1 Occelated Mountain Vipers, Montivipera wagneri.
1.1 Bolkar Vipers, Montivipera bulgardaghica.
1.1 Palestine Vipers, Daboia palaestinae.
Cheers,
Brian.

That is a long time! Nearly double the years I have been alive!
Awesome collection. I really love Atheris and they would definitely be on my list.

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