Anti Social Behaviour

Introduction & Scope

jLiving believes that every tenant and leaseholder should enjoy living in their home and scheme – however the Association is mindful that some tenants may cause a nuisance for their neighbours and may display behaviour that is unreasonable and by its very definition, Anti Social. In some situations this behaviour may be serious and on occasion criminal.

This policy outlines jLiving’s position on ASB, it will outline our approach in tackling ASB. It will ensure that tenants, leaseholders, staff and contractors have realistic expectations and understand their own personal responsibilities and will provide advice and guidance on tackling and resolving ASB incidents.

jLiving is committed to ensuring that tenants, leaseholders, staff and contractors do not suffer insecurity, fear or unnecessary distress as a result of ASB. The Association recognises and understands that ASB that is not challenged can have a significant impact on all affected.

The area and scope of ASB is broad and challenging and can vary from minor disputes between neighbours who may have different lifestyles and or personal challenges to severe nuisance, harassment and even violence. It is not always confined to individual properties but can occur anywhere either within or external to a scheme and can also involve individuals who are not tenants, leaseholders or staff.

jLiving is committed to addressing all forms of ASB in a professional, appropriate and consistent manner whilst remaining proportionate and mindful of all of the circumstances. jLiving will maintain a supportive and victim centred approach and will adopt a multi-agency approach and work with our partners in the Police and Local Authority to ensure the best outcome for all concerned.

What is Anti-Social Behaviour?

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 defines Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) as:

(a) Conduct that has caused, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person

(b) Conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to that person’s occupation of residential premises

Examples of Anti-Social Behaviour?

Physical violence and/or threats of violence
Hate-related incidents (such as those based on race, sexual orientation, gender, disability or belief)
Verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation or threatening behaviour
Noise nuisance – an ongoing or persistent noise at any time of the day or night
Vandalism and damage to properties, including graffiti
Dropping litter or dumping rubbish, including fly-tipping
Criminal behaviour, for example prostitution or sexual acts, drug dealing, violence or threats of violence
Pets being allowed to foul in public spaces
Misuse of communal areas, public areas or loitering.

What isn’t Anti-Social Behaviour?

We would not normally consider behaviour around different cultures or lifestyles, or which may not be considered unreasonable by most people, as ASB. These are:

Cooking smells
DIY during reasonable hours
Minor or occasional car repairs
Young people gathering socially or children playing
Someone parking lawfully outside your home
Civic disputes between neighbours (such as boundary issues or shared driveways)
Day to day living noises such as:
Footsteps in a neighbouring property
Children playing,
Occasional dog barks
The noise of household appliances, or music or TV noise at a low level.

Rights and Obligations

The Tenancy Agreement, whether it is a Starter Tenancy or Assured Non Shorthold – is a contract between jLiving and its tenants and gives rights and responsibilities to all. All tenants have the right to live peacefully in their own home but also have the responsibility of ensuring that they and or their visitors do not cause nuisance or harassment to others.

The Tenancy Agreement has a number of clauses clearly stating how tenants and their visitors must not do anything that causes a nuisance or harasses others. All tenants are reminded of these obligations at the time of the commencement of their tenancy and these are reviewed throughout the 1^st year of the tenancy i.e. the Starter Tenancy period. These responsibilities are also indicated within the Tenants Handbook.

To use the property for residential purposes only and as the tenants principal home – not to operate any trade, business or profession at the property or within the premises as a whole that might cause a nuisance or annoyance to other persons in the neighbourhood.
Neither to cause nor to allow members of his or her household or visitors to cause a nuisance or annoyance to other persons in the neighbourhood or to any tenant agent employee or contractor of the Association.
Neither to commit nor to allow members of his or her household or visitors to commit any harassment or threat of harassment on the grounds of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability that may interfere with the peace and comfort of or cause offence to other persons in the neighbourhood or to any tenant employee or contractor of the Association.
Neither to play nor to be played any radio, television, record or tape recording or musical instrument so loudly that it causes a nuisance or annoyance to other persons in the neighbourhood or can be heard outside the premises between the hours of 11.00pm and 8.30am.
No pets are to be kept on the premises unless it is a Guide Dog – essential for a tenant’s peaceable occupation.
To ensure that the religious observance of other tenants and their visitors is observed at all times.
Not to block roadways and other vehicular access and to keep them and the car parking spaces clear of unroadworthy vehicles and other obstructions.

Additionally

Not to commit or allow / enable visitors to commit any act associated with the illegal use or supply of drugs.
Not to commit or allow / enable visitors to commit threats, acts of violence or wilful damage to property.

Leaseholders are also required and expected to conduct themselves appropriately and in the same manner as tenants. Where ASB is found to exist the Association will adopt a similar approach to enforcement and support to leaseholders. Such remedies may include mediation, Acceptable Behaviour Agreements, Anti Social Behaviour Injunctions and or Orders – i.e ASBO or ASBI and in the most serious cases may take action to pursue the forfeiture of the lease.

Existing Prevention Methods

Clauses relating to nuisance and ASB are included within existing Tenancy Agreements
Obligations in terms of conduct and behaviour are discussed at tenancy sign up
All new tenants are issued with a Starter Tenancy for a period of 1 year within which behaviour and conduct are monitored. Tenancies will not be extended if ASB has occurred.
Working with local authority partners to ensure that balanced and sustainable communities are achieved and sustained.
Multi agency working with external partners and agencies including but not limited– the local authorities with which we work, the Police and other housing providers.
ASB policies and successful actions to be shared and publicised via the jLiving website where appropriate.
Early intervention wherever possible in low level nuisance cases to prevent escalation.

If ASB is being experienced

If any tenant or leaseholder believes that they are experiencing ASB the following should be considered in the first instance:

Consider whether your fellow tenant or neighbour has a different lifestyle or culture to you – are their actions really unreasonable
Do you feel that you could talk to your neighbour or fellow tenant directly? This can be effective in instances of low level nuisance.
If so – listen to your neighbour or fellow tenant – as they may also be suffering from nuisance.
Advise your Housing Manager in the first instance – either in writing, by telephone or face to face.

Any tenant or leaseholder must be aware of their own responsibility in assisting jLiving to resolve issues – this may include:

Participating in mediation
Maintaining a diary of events
Making contact with Environmental Health if the nuisance relates to vermin or noise
Making contact with the Police where a crime has been committed or there is immediate risk of harm.
Being prepared to act as a witness in court if legal proceedings are pursued.

What will jLiving do – what can tenants and leaseholders expect?

Before taking any action jLiving will fully consider all of the issues including:

How serious is the complaint
Previous attempts that have been made to resolve the issue
The frequency of the problem
Have there been previous complaints about the alleged perpetrator
What are the risks posed
What support needs does the victim and/ or alleged perpetrator have
Does jLiving have the authority and or jurisdiction to manage and resolve the issue

When ASB is reported it will be assessed as being category 1 or 2 depending on the gravity of the situation and will be managed accordingly.

Category 1 ASB will be instances of intimidation, immediate threat to wellbeing of an individual and violence. Category 2 cases are those where there is no immediate threat to the wellbeing of an individual and may include for example noise nuisance.

jLiving will:

Keep you informed of who is dealing with your complaint
Advise you of the category of your complaint
Where a visit is required – will visit within 24 hours of a Category 1 case and within 1 week for Category 2
Advise you how to maintain a diary
Advise you of your rights and responsibilities
Advise of the options available to move forward
Advise you of the action plan and timescale
Carry out regular reviews – assess progress and review actions taken and planned
Where matters are worsening, the situation will be reassessed and more stringent action may be taken if appropriate.
Advise of alternative sources of support
Close the case when the behaviour or nuisance ceases or when it is decided that no further action can be taken – e.g. neighbour disputes where one or both parties refuses to cooperate with the plans of action suggested and proposed by jLiving.

jLiving will make full use of the opportunities and remedies available to manage and remedy ASB – a planned approach will be adhered to based on the severity and frequency of events. These will include:

Verbal and written warnings
Acceptable Behaviour Agreements – written agreements between the person accused of ASB and jLiving and any other involved organisation.
ASBO’s – Community Based Civil Orders made by a Court of law. Any breach of an order is considered to be a criminal act and can result in a prison sentence.
Injunctions – An Order handed down by the Court that requires an individual to perform a specific act or to refrain from a specific act.
When an Injunction is granted – the Court may also impose a Power of Arrest if there is a threat of violence or significant risk of harm.
Possession – this is a last resort action to take possession of a property and evict the tenant/s where a Court is satisfied that a tenancy condition has been breached.

Support for witnesses & complainants

Whatever action is taken by jLiving, staff will ensure that any tenant or leaseholder experiencing ASB, whether complainant or witness remains supported and remains informed of progress and updates.

jLiving accepts that the responsibility to support complainants and witnesses may not end with a court hearing and will continue to provide support and guidance where appropriate and for as long as possible and feasible within the resources available.

Perpetrators of ASB

jLiving will endeavour where possible to ensure that perpetrators of ASB are afforded the opportunity to modify their behaviour and continue successfully with their tenancy. When complaints of ASB are received jLiving will assess the level of vulnerability or need for support of the perpetrator and work with the individual to access appropriate support where possible.

This may include, if appropriate, referral to the local authority or non-statutory services for additional support services, mental health services and in cases of Category 1 nuisance the Associations Welfare Officer service.

Where it is known that the perpetrators behaviour is directly linked to their disability every effort will be made to access appropriate specialist support wherever possible. Should this prove to be unsuccessful then the Association will progress with enforcement action. jLiving will however continue to encourage the perpetrator to engage with additional services to assist in modifying behaviour.

Commitment to multi-agency working

jLiving will remain committed to working in partnership with the following to minimise and mitigate the impact of ASB:

Community Safety Teams – ASB Units
The local Police and associated Safer Neighbourhood Teams
Police Liaison Officers
Other Registered Providers of Social Housing
Care Agencies
Support Agencies
Victim Support Groups
Local Authority Housing Departments

Conclusion –Information Sharing, Confidentiality & Data Protection

jLiving recognises that there can be a conflict between the desire for the complainant in an ASB case to preserve their identity and the requirement for the Association to progress matters particularly court or legal action. jLiving will always seek to endeavour to obtain permission from complainants or witnesses before disclosing information to the perpetrators of ASB or their legal representatives. The implications of not disclosing information will be carefully and appropriately discussed with complainants and witnesses and support will be offered.

Information about complainants and perpetrators will be shared with other agencies for the sole purpose of preventing further ASB and will be executed within a formally agreed Information Sharing Protocol.

Sharing information within communities where ASB is occurring is an essential tool in prevention – however care will be taken to ensure that confidentiality is not breached. Where Injunctions, ASBO’s, ABA’s are granted jLiving considers that it is not unreasonable to share this information with the wider community – specific grounds and details will not be disclosed.

jLiving recognises that particularly in the case of ASBO’s and ABA’s it may prove necessary to publicise information about the perpetrator and the terms of the Order to ensure that the Order is being fully complied with and to give reassurance that jLiving views matters of ASB seriously.

jLiving may communicate general information to the wider community however identities will be protected.

This policy remains subject to regular review and the Association remains committed to ongoing legal and regulatory requirements and best practice.