Council tells landlords not to evict anti-social tenants or those with arrears
2 years ago | 23 comments
“Three strikes and you’re out” rules to crackdown on anti-social tenants in social housing
12:03 AM, 31st January 2024, 2 years ago
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Tenants engaging in anti-social behaviour could face being disqualified from social housing.
The proposals by the government in a bid to shake up the social housing sector could see a “three strikes and you’re out” policy implemented to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Those who engage repeatedly in anti-social behaviour could face being disqualified from social housing for up to five years.
The message is clear: play by the rules
Housing Minister Lee Rowley said: “We are proposing further steps to make the allocation of social housing fairer for people.
“If you abuse the system, making peoples’ lives a misery or actively work against our British values, you are making a choice – such choices will have consequences and our proposals seek to stop such people getting a social home.
“The message is clear: play by the rules, pay in and we will support you. If you choose not to, this country is not going to be a soft touch.”
He adds: “The public want to know decent and hardworking people that have contributed to this country will be prioritised for new social tenancies.
“People already living in social homes want to know that anyone moving near them will be respectful of their neighbours with their communities protected from those who persistently break the law.
“That is why it is right that the finite resource of social housing is allocated fairly and local law-abiding citizens in need have more access to a home in their own communities.”
Disqualified from social housing
The reforms include new UK and local connection tests to determine social housing eligibility, with applicants required to demonstrate a connection to the UK for at least ten years and their local area for at least two years.
Prospective tenants on higher incomes could also no longer qualify for social housing, although existing tenants will not be affected.
As part of the reforms, people who have unspent convictions for certain criminal anti-social behaviour or have been subject to certain civil sanctions could be disqualified from social housing for up to five years.
The government is seeking views from the public, councils, social housing tenants and providers and wants to bring forward the reforms as soon as possible.
You can view the consultation here.
Tags:
anti social behaviour from tenants, government proposals, housing policy, social housing, social housing reform, tenant disqualification
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Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 761
9:35 AM, 31st January 2024, About 2 years ago
There is no detail at all behind this – I fear it means that ABS has to get to the prosecution stage three times before judges will consider eviction. It may even mean that three just gives a warning that any more will lead to eviction.
With this in the background I cannot see judges evicting from the private sector after a single prosecution.
Member Since November 2016 - Comments: 11
10:16 AM, 31st January 2024, About 2 years ago
But they don’t want to apply similar rules in PRS.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3504 - Articles: 5
10:48 AM, 31st January 2024, About 2 years ago
I filled it in. Gave my thoughts very clearly. You can do the survey even as a member of the public.
They questions are unbelievable. By default of asking you can see what they are really thinking. Questions like do you think it is fair that anyone with unspent convictions for Terrorism offences should be excluded from social housing and why and for how long for?
Holy hell…..
Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 1969 - Articles: 1
11:18 AM, 31st January 2024, About 2 years ago
…And you’re out…where?? Cast to the PRS, where you’re clearly not suited. We’re not the rubbish heap for the most challenging tenants. Hypothetically, if it were even possible, the whole PRS got together to wholesale reject a ‘struck-out’ tenant, where would they go? And you already know if we even could make that all happen, Government would legislate that one of us HAD to accept them.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3504 - Articles: 5
12:29 PM, 31st January 2024, About 2 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Luke P at 31/01/2024 – 11:18the issue is you would never know for sure if the tenant was ‘struck off’ or not… you can’t even find out now proof if they were evicted or not, have a history of asbo or anything else.
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1431 - Articles: 1
3:18 PM, 31st January 2024, About 2 years ago
If it’s good enough for social housing landlords then the same should be good enough for PRS landlords, and without having to go down the legal route
Member Since August 2015 - Comments: 342
4:52 PM, 31st January 2024, About 2 years ago
I don’t believe for one moment tenants will be thrown out at the third warning. This topic was discussed this morning on the radio. The interviewer asked ‘where do tenants go after breaking the last warning?’ The question was not answered but just a load of waffle was offered in its place. I don’t think this has really been thought out. Families living under railway arches?