Anti-Social Behaviour Service Standards
We are committed to making sure our neighbourhoods are -
- peaceful
- safe
- secure
places to live and work in partnership with relevant agencies to support this. Our approach is to make sure that troublesome families or individuals are encouraged to access support to help them modify their behaviour and to take appropriate action against those who continue to cause a nuisance.
We believe that people have the right to live the way they want to as long as it doesn’t affect the quality of life of other people around them. Therefore you must -
- be tolerant, accept and respect the needs and choices of other people
- encourage and help individuals to solve their differences wherever possible
- work with people and other agencies to tackle anti-social behaviour
We recognise that anti-social behaviour can have a severe effect on people’s lives and that we have a responsibility to help tackle problems. We take appropriate and timely actions when dealing with disruptive tenants, residents and other people causing a nuisance or harassment in our neighbourhoods and homes.
Where appropriate, the action we take could result in tenants losing their security of tenure, their home, or being subject to an injunction which might lead to their arrest, fines or even imprisonment. However, in many cases such action is not appropriate and all other measures are considered.
Our service standards
As a landlord we aim to allow residents to have quiet enjoyment of their home and take all reasonable steps to make sure that our tenants fully comply with their obligations under the terms and conditions of their tenancy.
We will/may
- respond within two working days of receiving complaint of nuisance, harassment or anti-social behaviour
- respond within one working day of receiving complaints of hate incidents
- discuss your options regarding the nuisance and agree a course of action with you
- ask you to keep a detailed diary of events in a format that is suitable for you for example written or recorded
- provide you with regular updates at intervals agreed with you.
- provide you with a named officer and contact number throughout the investigation
- offer you a ‘support package’ (including signposting or referral to appropriate support agencies or groups)
- take appropriate actions, as agreed with you, against offenders – this could include warning letters, interviews, court injunction and possession proceedings or criminal action in partnership with the police. Upon receipt of suitable evidence action is normally taken within one month of the enforcement officer dealing with the case
- inform you when cases are closed providing the reasons for closure and explain what you should do if you experience further problems
Obligations of tenants
When you sign a tenancy agreement, you agree to the conditions contained within the agreement and the standards of behaviour which are expected of tenants and of other occupants and visitors.
We expect you to adhere to the conditions which are set down in your tenancy agreement. The main types of anti- social behaviour covered in a tenancy agreement are -
- nuisance caused by the tenant
- nuisance by family and visitors
- harassment
- damage to property
- being responsible for children and others
- theft or illegal use of premises