Sharon Kimmance, 54, and her partner John Molloy, 56, have been given until March 5 to vacate their three-bedroom home in Waterloo after a long-standing dispute with their housing association, Plus Dane (PD).
The couple claims they are being evicted because they refuse to give up their four Chihuahuas, but PD states the eviction is due to breaches of their tenancy agreement, including anti-social behavior and unauthorized pet breeding.
The couple, who have lived in the property for three years, were taken to court after PD sought possession of the home. A repossession order was granted, leaving Sharon and John with just one week to find new accommodation. They insist they offered to stop breeding dogs, but PD claims it has no record of such an offer.
John, who has been breeding dogs for 23 years, said they don’t consider themselves breeders. Under UK law, anyone breeding three or more litters of puppies in a year must hold a license unless they can prove none of the puppies were sold.
The couple argues that PD was aware of their dogs and breeding activities when they moved in, but the housing association maintains that the breeding and keeping of pets without permission are breaches of the tenancy agreement.
PD also cited ongoing anti-social behavior (ASB) as a reason for the eviction. A spokesperson for PD stated, “We have been granted possession of this customer’s home by the courts due to persistent and long-standing issues relating to anti-social behaviour and the persistent breeding of dogs for sale at the home over a long period, which is a breach of tenancy agreement.
Despite a previous injunction and court order to stop this, the issues continued, and we therefore had no option but to seek possession.”
Sharon and John dispute the ASB claims, particularly noise complaints about their dogs. Sharon defended her pets, saying, “Look at them [the dogs], they couldn’t cause loud noise even if they tried.
We’re all lethargic. I’m crying all the time. I’ve got anxiety. The stress is unbelievable. We haven’t made a sound in the three years we’ve been here, and we’re overly cautious if anything. We live quietly like we’re 40 years older than we actually are.”
The couple has sought help from the housing ombudsman and an advice support service. A PD spokesperson emphasized that eviction is a last resort, stating, “As a landlord, it is important that we consider neighbours and the impact such behaviours can have on others.
This action is always a very last resort and is not taken lightly, despite years of trying to reach an amicable solution in this case. Similarly, for the courts, the threshold for a court order of this type is high, with the court requiring a significant level of evidence before its ruling. We will comply with the outcome of the court.”
As the eviction deadline approaches, Sharon and John are struggling with the emotional and logistical challenges of finding a new home while keeping their beloved Chihuahuas. The case highlights the complexities of balancing tenant rights, housing regulations, and the welfare of pets in shared living environments.
