Government defends social housing landlords’ power to tackle anti-social behaviour

Social housing landlords already have strong powers to deal with anti-social behaviour, the government has claimed.

In a parliamentary written answer, Labour’s Baroness Taylor of Stevenage said the Crime and Policing Act had strengthened the powers available to police to deal with anti-social behaviour.

The news comes as a Labour MP suggested PRS landlords should take a greater role in tackling anti-social behaviour caused by tenants.

Wide range of tools to tackle anti-social behaviour

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage said: “Social housing landlords already have a wide range of tools to tackle anti-social behaviour, and the Regulator of Social Housing’s neighbour and community standard already requires registered providers to work with relevant partners to deter and tackle anti-social behaviour and hate incidents.

“Recent legislation has strengthened these powers even further. The Crime and Policing Act, which received Royal Assent in April, has strengthened the powers available to the police and other agencies, including stronger measures to deal with the most persistent offenders.

“The Renters’ Rights Act also shortened the notice period for the mandatory anti-social behaviour eviction ground and once implemented in the social rented sector, landlords will, in cases of anti-social behaviour, be able to make a claim to the court faster.”

Guidance for anti-social behaviour

As previously reported by Property118, under the Renters’ Rights Act, when using a discretionary ground for possession, PRS 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.