Renters’ Rights Act aims to support landlords dealing with anti-social behaviour
7 months ago | 9 comments
Labour MP questions landlord role in tackling tenant anti-social behaviour
8:03 AM, 29th May 2026, 9 hours ago
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A Labour MP has suggested landlords should take a greater role in tackling anti-social behaviour caused by tenants.
In a Parliamentary written question, Connor Naismith MP asked whether the government was taking steps “to make private landlords responsible for dealing with anti-social behaviour caused by their tenants”.
In response, housing minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords can evict tenants for anti-social behaviour.
Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority
Mr Pennycook said: “Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.
“We will crack down on those making neighbourhoods feel unsafe and unwelcoming by introducing the new Respect Order, which local authorities will be able to apply for, and which will carry tough sanctions and penalties for persistent adult offenders.”
He added: “The police, local authorities and social landlords may already apply for a Civil Injunction under Section 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to prevent behaviour that is causing housing-related nuisance and annoyance.
“Landlords have powers to regain possession where necessary. The Renters’ Rights Act shortened the notice period for the existing mandatory eviction ground (7A). Landlords can make a claim to the court immediately in all cases of anti-social behaviour.
“The act also ensures judges in possession cases have particular regard to whether tenants have engaged with efforts to resolve their behaviour and the impact on other tenants within HMOs.
“Under selective and HMO licensing, local authorities can also use licence conditions to require landlords to take steps to manage and deal with anti-social behaviour caused by their tenants.”
Landlords can reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour by asking for references
As previously reported by Property118, under the Renters’ Rights Act, when using a discretionary ground for possession, landlords will have to prove that anti-social behaviour has occurred, and the court will then decide whether it is reasonable to evict the tenant.
The government guidance provides examples of what counts as anti-social behaviour, covering both criminal and non-criminal behaviour, for example:
- causing a nuisance to neighbours
- noise
- verbal abuse, harassment and threats
- drug use or drug dealing
- vandalism
- graffiti
- fly-tipping and littering
- discarding syringes or needles
- issues with pets
However, the government guidance says minor issues such as problems with bins, parking disputes, or one-off incidents do not count as anti-social behaviour.
The government guidance also claims landlords can reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour by asking for a reference from a previous landlord or letting agency.
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Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 825
8:27 AM, 29th May 2026, About 9 hours ago
I have as much control over my tenants as Kanute had over the tide – I assume that councils and PBSA we’ve exempt as usual.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3591 - Articles: 5
9:03 AM, 29th May 2026, About 8 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by Paul Essex at 29/05/2026 – 08:27
in reality every single LL is ‘exempt’. There is no way anyone can control anyone else’s behaviour.
It takes months for a council to get closure orders on their own stock in coordination with the Police. LL’s have no chance. As ever all we have to do is provide evidence we have done what we can. The perfect evidence is showing you gave written warning to the tenant and then if it continues reporting it to the Police and getting a crime reference number. After that what else can you do?
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3591 - Articles: 5
9:06 AM, 29th May 2026, About 8 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by Paul Essex at 29/05/2026 – 08:27
S8 needs them to be convicted first of ASBO issues. You wont even know if this is the case as even if you as the LL asked the Police – they wont tell you. Not as if the T is going to voluntarily tell you either, knowing you then have the ammo to evict them.
Totally messed up system and totally ineffective S8 clause.
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 417
10:02 AM, 29th May 2026, About 7 hours ago
Why, landlords are wealthy parasites who don’t work according to this government! Landlords are already acting as unpaid border control, now they want landlords to do the job of the police and council.Get stuffed.
Member Since September 2021 - Comments: 12
10:14 AM, 29th May 2026, About 7 hours ago
“The government guidance also claims landlords can reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour by asking for a reference from a previous landlord or letting agency”.
Oh the naivety of this government! Do they really think a landlord or letting agent will give a bad reference for a tenant guilty of anti-social behaviour?!
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 2103
10:21 AM, 29th May 2026, About 7 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by David at 10:02
Agreed. As a landlord you do not have the powers to do this. Your powers do not extend to much more than a landlords inspection having given 24 hours notice. Even then the tenant will not necessarily agree to it and you may not be able to do it. You also do not always know for sure whether it is your tenants needles, rubbish, or even sometimes pets and even if you suspect it you cannot get the evidence. As a landlord you are not permitted to put cameras up; you have an obligation created by government to leave your tenants in peace.
The solution to tenants exhibiting antisocial behaviour is do not house them in the first place. Leave them to the people with the power…local government and the police.
Member Since March 2022 - Comments: 370
10:47 AM, 29th May 2026, About 6 hours ago
Just another nail in the PRS coffin. Next, they will introduce punishments for landlords whose tenants commit anti-social behaviour. In line with the way things are going the council will be able to issue a £40,000 fine and send the landlord to Jail for six months.
If an ASB eviction fails the poor put upon tenants accused of ASB will also be encouraged to sue the landlord for defamation of their character, all on legal aid of course.
Member Since September 2025 - Comments: 33
11:18 AM, 29th May 2026, About 6 hours ago
There’s nothing more to add ….. another reason to sell up
Member Since June 2014 - Comments: 1569
11:27 AM, 29th May 2026, About 6 hours ago
ASB was the second biggest reason for section 21 ‘No Fault’ evictions.
The section 8 ASB grounds are useless.
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 2103
11:30 AM, 29th May 2026, About 6 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by Jan Hall at 29/05/2026 – 11:18
Connor Naismith is just an example of another labour MP who does not know what he is talking about but decided to open his mouth anyway. Collectively labour MPs know next to nothing about business because most of them have never run a business.
Landlords used to be able to do something about tenants exhibiting anti-social behaviour because no fault evictions were available. Labour MPs just ganged up on landlords and got rid of no fault evictions with the Labour Renters Rights Act. They have even been celebrating getting rid of no fault evictions very recently. But what getting rid of no fault evictions means IN THE REAL WORLD is that landlords cannot do anything about antisocial behaviour because they do not have the powers and the powers they did have to deal with antisocial behaviour HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY BY THE LABOUR RENTERS RIGHTS ACT.
The Labour Renters Rights Act prevents landlords from discriminating against tenants and makes it an offence for landlords and their agents to restrict information on availability of properties. This means that stringent credit referencing needs to be applied to all tenants. The solution to tenants exhibiting anti-social behaviour is not to take them in the first place, so probably now in addition to the additional credit referencing required by the Labour Renters Rights Act you also need a character reference.
Labour refused to publish the results of its justice impact test on the courts: The Labour Renters Rights Act dramatically increases risk for landlords. SO DON’T TAKE THE PROBLEM TENANTS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
The Labour Renters Rights Act stops you discriminating against any tenant or group of tenants. So that means credit-referencing and character referencing for ALL tenants. And there’s a cost to this for all tenants who are now going to pick up the bill for the tenants that don’t behave.