What is anti-social behaviour ?
The term “anti-social behaviour” covers any kind of nuisance, unreasonable behaviour or harassment.
“Anti-social behaviour” is defined in Section 153 of the Housing Act 1996 as, conduct
- Which is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to another person, and
- Directly or indirectly affects the housing functions of a relevant landlord or
- Consists of or involves using or threatening to use housing accommodation owned or managed by a relevant landlord for an unlawful purpose.
A further definition of anti-social behaviour is provided by the Crime & Disorder Act 1998, where it is described as behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
Anti-social behaviour describes a variety of behaviour that can adversely affect the lives of people, for example:
- Noise nuisance
- Vandalism/damage to property
- Racial harassment
- Children causing harassment or nuisance to others
- Violence/threats of violence
- Rubbish dumping etc
The Council’s tenancy agreement explicitly states that “you and anyone living with you or visiting your home must not commit any acts of harassment towards anyone for any reasons, including but not limited to reasons of colour, race, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation or religion”. If a tenant or a relative of the tenant or someone living or visiting the tenant carries out nuisance or harassment the tenant risks losing the tenancy or facing other court action.
Leaseholders are also expected to refrain from causing anti-social behaviour as a condition of their lease. The lease clearly states that leaseholders should…’not use the premises or allow it to be used for illegal, immoral, improper, unpleasant, noisy or noxious purpose’. In circumstances where these covenants are breached the Council can apply to the court for forfeiture of the lease. Please use the links on the right for additional information about anti-social behaviour |
