Accommodation: Pets and Assistance Animals Policy

Blackfriars Hall Pets and Assistance Animals Policy

Policy owner:  Bursar of Blackfriars Hall

Last reviewed:  January 2026

General Points:

Blackfriars Hall does not allow pets of any kind in any of its accommodation sites.

Students with a disability who utilise an approved assistance animal and who want to live in Blackfriars accommodation must advise the Disability Lead as part of their additional requirements application.  We must advise applicants that no accommodation buildings at Blackfriars are currently suitable for assistance dogs, and we will endeavour with every reasonable step possible to secure suitable alternative accommodation for you.

There is currently no recognised accreditation of emotional support animals. Blackfriars therefore reserves the right to refuse access to any animal at its discretion that is not accredited. However, in exceptional circumstances and when there is clear medical evidence, consideration will be given to requests by students to bring emotional support/ therapy animals. Any approval is at Blackfriars’ sole discretion. Consideration can only be given to animals that can be appropriately, safely and hygienically kept in a student’s bedroom. For further information, please contact the Disability Lead (senior.tutor@bfriars.ox.ac.uk).

Students who wish to bring an assistance animal will need to

1. Provide a medical certificate certifying the disability or medical condition for which the assistance animal is needed.
2. Sign an addendum to the licence agreement which sets out the terms and conditions under which the assistance animal can be allowed into college accommodation.
3. Pay an additional £250 deposit. This deposit will be refundable at the end of the licence agreement, subject to any charges which may be applicable such as:
   • Damage to the accommodation, furniture or furnishings resulting from the assistance animal being in residence at the accommodation.
   • Professional services such as carpet shampooing and/or curtain dry cleaning.
   • If permission is granted for an assistance animal, it does not automatically grant access to other areas of the college and university. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange additional access.