Lawyer for dog law & animal law - Legal support for pet owners & businesses

Can my landlord prohibit me from keeping dogs?

The keeping of dogs in rented apartments repeatedly leads to legal disputes between tenants, landlords and neighbors. Many dog owners ask themselves: Can my landlord forbid me to keep a dog?

📌 Can my landlord impose a general ban on dogs?

✔ Check the tenancy agreement: If the tenancy agreement contains an explicit ban on dogs, the tenant must generally comply with it – unless the ban is disproportionate.
✔ No provision in the tenancy agreement? Without a clear clause, the landlord can only prohibit dog ownership if the dog is demonstrably causing considerable disturbance (e.g. noise, odor nuisance).
✔ Breed lists & cantonal regulations: In some cantons, additional regulations apply to certain dog breeds – this can also have an impact on tenancies.

📌 What to do if neighbors complain?

Barking dogs: While occasional barking is not a problem, persistent noise can lead to legal consequences. Landlords or neighbors can demand a warning or even termination of the tenancy agreement.
✔ Take action against unfounded complaints: If you are wrongly accused of noise nuisance or other violations, we will support you in defending yourself against unlawful claims or termination.

📌 Secure your right to keep dogs!

If your landlord or your neighbors make unlawful demands or you want to enforce dog ownership, we will check the legal situation and support you in asserting your interests.

📞 Seek advice at an early stage – we are here for you!