anti-social behaviour

Incidents of neighbour nuisance appear to be on the increase. Some situations are associated with difference in age, or conflicting lifestyles, and have to be accepted as a fact of life. Many of these situations can be resolved between the parties themselves with a degree of compromise and mutual understanding.
In instances where local resolution has failed or is not possible the Association will take action to:
- To take reasonable steps to find constructive resolutions to complaints of nuisance so that residents have peaceful enjoyment of their homes
- Contribute to the creation of a good environment for all residents
- Promote good relations between residents
- Facilitating mediation in areas of dispute
- Consult and work with other agencies as appropriate
- Take firm and swift action against tenants who are in breach of the tenancy agreement, including repossession of our property if necessary
Greenoak has signed up to the New RESPECT – ASB Charter for Housing as part of our commitment to tackle ASB. Please click here for more information
Definition
A nuisance can be defined as:-
- Anything that unreasonably interferes with an occupier's normal use and enjoyment of their home, garden, estate or neighbourhood. It may be caused intentionally or unintentionally by residential or commercial neighbour, as well as people passing through or visiting the area.
Certain behaviour must be accepted as a way of life, such as normal cooking smells and babies occasionally crying, as well as the use of washing machines and vacuum cleaners, at reasonable hours. Problems that occur away from your home or its vicinity cannot be considered under the nuisance policy.
Instances of nuisance
Respect Charter for Housing
Greenoak takes anti-social behaviour very seriously and we will take swift action where a complaint is made about nuisance. We are committed to tackling anti-social and nuisance behaviour and have signed up to the new Respect Charter for Housing.
The Charter consists of seven core commitments which Greenoak will consider when dealing with cases of anti-social behaviour:
1. Demonstrate leadership and strategic commitment
2. Provide an accessible and accountable service
3. Taking swift action to protect communities
4. Adopt a supportive approach to working with victims and witnesses
5. Encourage individual and community responsibility
6. Have a clear focus on prevention and early intervention
7. Ensure a value for money approach is embedded in the service
For more information on the Respect Charter for Housing please visit www.cih.org/respectstandard
To report any incidents of anti-social behaviour, please contact your Housing Manager on 01483 768856 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Recurring noise Including domestic arguments, fighting, HiFi, TV, musical instruments etc
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Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- One off noise or occasional noise is not a nuisance. It becomes a nuisance when it is frequent or recurring and where it affects the lives of others.
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- EPA 1990 or Noise Act 1996
- Breach of Tenancy.
- Injunction.
- The Complainant under Section 82 Of EPA
- Possession action for breach of Tenancy or for forfeiture of lease.
- Mediation.
- Complainant can take action under Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
- TEST.
- LA Noise Patrols.
- Injunction.
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Noise
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Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Action can only be taken where noise is frequent or very loud at unsociable hours.
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- EPA 1990 or Noise Act 1996
- Breach of Tenancy.
- Injunction.
- The Complainant under Section 82 Of EPA
- Possession action for breach of Tenancy or for forfeiture of lease.
- Mediation.
- Complainant can take action under Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
- TEST.
- LA Noise Patrols.
- Injunction.
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Pay Parties
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Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Injunction if known in time
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Anti Social Behaviour. Foul Language. Spitting, Stealing,Violence or the threat of violence
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Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Anti Social Behaviour orders.
- Injunctions.
- Mediation
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Smoke / Smells
Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Bonfires or smelly materials or substances, excluding normal cooking smells
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- Local Authority Bye-Laws for fires
- Environmental Health
- Mediation
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Running a business from home
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Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Noisy machinery or something that affects other tenants
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- Action under the terms of the lease or tenancy.
- Environmental Protection Act 1990.
- Recharge to those concerned.
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Pets
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Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Problems with pets fouling communal areas or making noise
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- Action under the lease or tenancy agreement RSPCA
- Residents Groups
- Mediation
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Parking in other than designated locations
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Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Blocking access ways or anywhere not authorised
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- Action under the lease or tenancy agreement
- Injunction
- Mediation
- Residents Groups
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Parking unauthorised vehicles or other items
Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Caravans, Boats, Lorries, large vans etc
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- Action under the lease or tenancy agreement
- Residents Groups
- DVLC
- Local Authority
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Abandoned Vehicles
Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Anything unroadworthy or without Road Tax or specific approval from the Association
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- DVLC
- Local Authority
- Residents Groups
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Working on Cars (or other vehicles or equipment)
Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Unsightly, disposal of oil, smells, noise, damage to paviers or surface finishes, rubbish, Health & Safety, Danger to others
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- Action under the lease or tenancy agreement
- Recharge to those concerned
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Unhygienic or Unsafe properties
Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Infestations, dirty or smelly property. Fire hazards
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- EPA 1990
- Environmental Health
- Social Services
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Gardens
Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Overgrown, rubbish accumulation, vermin, Health & Safety, Boundaries
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- Action under the lease or tenancy agreement
- EPA 1990
- Environmental Health
- Residents Groups
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Obstructing internal communal areas and storage
Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Blocking of access to stairs, exits, walkways
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- Action under the lease or tenancy agreement
- Residents Groups
- Fire Regulations
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Nuisance by children / youths
Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Noise, damage. Playing in inappropriate areas, ball games
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- Action under the lease or tenancy agreement
- Environmental Health
- Police, Social Services
- Residents Groups
- Multi-agency approach
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Youth Crime and related problems
Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Vandalism, graffiti, threatening behaviour
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- Action under the lease or tenancy agreement
- Environmental Health
- Police, Social Services
- Residents Groups
- Multi-agency approach
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Vandalism, graffiti, criminal damage
Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Criminal damage of any type to Association or other people’s property
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- Action under the lease or tenancy agreement
- Environmental Health
- Police, Social Services
- Residents Groups
- Multi-agency approach
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Drug dealing / Drug related issues
Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Noise, fighting, undesirables, criminal activity. Health & Safety
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- Action under the lease or tenancy agreement
- Environmental Health
- Police, Social Services
- Residents Groups
- Multi-agency approach
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Prostitution
Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Noise, Fighting, Criminal activity
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- Action under the lease or tenancy agreement
- Environmental Health
- Police, Social Services
- Residents Groups
- Multi-agency approach
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Violence
Type of Nuisance Examples |
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Remedies |
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- Violence of any type, gangs, non residents entering the estate, block or property
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- Action under the lease or tenancy agreement
- Environmental Health
- Police, Social Services
- Residents Groups
- Multi-agency approach
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You can download a copy of our Antisocial Behaviour policyor ASB pamplet for more information.