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Labour MP calls for action against landlords over tenant anti-social behaviour
12:05 AM, 16th October 2026, 6 days ago
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A Labour MP claims private landlords are allowing anti-social behaviour by their tenants to go unchecked.
In a debate on police funding in the North East, Labour MP Alan Strickland claims councils are failing to act against irresponsible landlords.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords can evict tenants for anti-social behaviour.
Allow crime by tenants to go unchecked
During the debate, Mr Strickland said: “A key concern is about the growth in poorly regulated private landlords who too often allow crime and antisocial behaviour by their tenants to go unchecked. This is again creating more complex policing problems.
“I particularly urge Ministers across government to put more pressure on authorities such as Reform-led Durham county council that are simply failing to act in many cases where irresponsible landlords are allowing their properties to become magnets for crime and disorder, often in previously quiet streets that had very low levels of crime.
“We know that council enforcement teams have got powers to tackle landlords who are refusing to take anti-social behaviour seriously, but too often this simply is not happening.”
Range of tools
When approached by Property118 for comment Durham city council told us the selective licensing scheme helps to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Joe Quinn, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for planning, investment and assets, said: “Our residents want the places they live to be free from trouble, which is why we take our role in protecting communities seriously and work closely with partners such as the police to tackle anti-social behaviour.
“We use a range of tools to tackle anti-social behaviour in private rented properties. This includes community protection warnings and notices and, where necessary, closure orders.
“One of the main objectives of our Selective Licensing scheme, which gives us the powers to regulate landlords, is to address anti-social behaviour. The conditions of the licence require landlords to take action where anti-social behaviour is linked to their property.
“We’ve also strengthened conditions around non-student Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO), with an Article 4 Direction now in place across County Durham to reduce the number of family homes being converted into properties with multiple tenants. We also have an interim policy in place which gives us powers when determining planning applications for HMOs.
“If anyone is worried about behaviour in their community, whether in a town centre or in their neighbourhood, we encourage them to report it to us so that we can take further action. I am also happy to have a conversation with Alan about his concerns.”
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.
Tags:
anti social behaviour from tenants, ASB in Private Rented Sector, ASB powers, Renters’ Rights Act
34 comments on this article
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Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 2081 - Articles: 21
2:54 PM, 16th October 2026, About 5 days ago
Reply to the comment left by David100 at 16/10/2026 – 10:47
You are quite right David100. By getting rid of s21, the Government has made it much harder to deal with antisocial behaviour. It is also costly for landlords who will almost certainly need paid professional help to bring a successful claim.
If MPs/Councils want to tackle the problem, they could legislate to allow Councils to take over eviction proceedings for ASB. Most landlords with antisocial tenants do not just stand by and allow “crime and antisocial behaviour by their tenants to go unchecked”. Most likely the tenants are damaging the house. They may even bar access to the landlord and threaten him or her. So, provide that the Council can ask for permission to evict and unless the landlord objects (in which case the landlord becomes responsible for evicting) the Council/police can do so.
Member Since April 2022 - Comments: 150
2:58 PM, 16th October 2026, About 5 days ago
So, according to “theyworkfor you”, this mp consistently voted for more rights for tenants and regulation on landlords. Then expects landlords to be able to deal with problem tenants with their strengthened tenants’ rights. Just what is wrong with these people?
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3766 - Articles: 5
4:42 PM, 16th October 2026, About 5 days ago
Reply to the comment left by NewYorkie at 16/10/2026 – 13:14
Been there. Cases where ‘locals have assisted’ can work very well.
As a non local LL, when you explain clearly and honestly what you have tried to do everything in such circumstances, they can see your hands are legally tied. It’s almost inevitable that some may want to ‘assist and encourage’ the one causing upset to leave the property.
Just make sure you say the classic words, ‘I cannot possibly condone any activities that do not follow the law’ (with a wry smile)…and leave it at that. If you have CCTV/ring doorbell installed? Perfect time for an unexpected ‘outage’…..
Member Since September 2026 - Comments: 3
5:02 PM, 16th October 2026, About 5 days ago
Tenant anti-social behaviour can be a difficult issue for landlords, especially when it affects neighbours and other residents. Clear rules, proper reporting procedures and fair enforcement are important. Landlords should have practical ways to address serious problems while ensuring tenants are treated fairly.
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1757 - Articles: 3
5:21 PM, 16th October 2026, About 5 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 16/10/2026 – 16:42
It would have saved me a near breakdown, and ended my commitment to being a landlord after 25 years.
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1390
5:23 PM, 16th October 2026, About 5 days ago
Not only has the renters rights act got rid of the only effective route for evicting an anti-social tenant, (s21), but its made it an offence to serve a notice on a tenant that the landlord is not confident that a court will uphold. Given the scale of evidence required to make a ground 14 notice stick, how could any landlord by confident of this and if they fail, they could face a £7,000 civil penalty. In some cases where selective licensing in in place a landlord may also be faced with risk of a £40,000 penalty for NOT acting, (breach of licence conditions). Damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
Member Since December 2019 - Comments: 20
5:44 PM, 16th October 2026, About 5 days ago
North East, Labour MP Alan Strickland trying to justify his existence by talking rubbish. He needs to find something useful to do. Council and police failures are not the responsibility of landlords.
Member Since January 2020 - Comments: 150
5:54 PM, 16th October 2026, About 5 days ago
What’s all the fuss about?
Landlord can use Section 8 Mandatory Ground 7 A. No notice required for Serious Anti-Social Behaviour.
Am I missing something?
Member Since October 2013 - Comments: 1757 - Articles: 3
6:09 PM, 16th October 2026, About 5 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Ian Cognito at 16/10/2026 – 17:54
Yes, but you need strong evidence, and in my case, the police refused to get involved so no crime reference. Also, neighbours will often be unwilling to risk giving a statement against a violent neighbour. But in the unlikely even you do get the evidence, there is still the lengthy wait for court proceedings, then bailiffs, plus no rent and damage to property.
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 653
6:42 PM, 16th October 2026, About 5 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 16/10/2026 – 12:12
Well I agree the police are not interested, but they should have the ability and we pay enough in council tax for them, but as with burglary and fraud cases they are just too lazy .