Anti Social Behaviour

Please find the answers to many frequently-asked questions about Anti-social behaviour (ASB).

What is Anti Social Behaviour (ASB)?

The law says that it is “any behaviour that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress”.

Some examples of anti social behaviour include:

Noise nuisance
Serious neglect of gardens
Rubbish dumping
Vehicle nuisance
Verbal abuse
Using or selling drugs
Harassment
Domestic Violence

What are Roddons doing about Anti Social Behaviour?

We aim to promote a safe and secure environment for people to live in. Everyone has the right to live peacefully in their home, equally everyone has a duty to make sure that their behaviour, and that of their visitors, does not interrupt this right for others. We set out clear requirements of our tenants in our tenancy agreement and handbook.

We have a dedicated team of Neighbourhood Officers who each look after their own ‘patch’. Find out who your Neighbourhood Officer is here. We also have an Anti Social Behaviour Co-ordinator who assists with complex cases and legal action and who carries out project work in areas of high crime and ASB. We work with the Safer Fenland Partnership, Cambridgeshire Police and other agencies to prevent and deal with anti social behaviour.

What should I do if I am experiencing Anti Social Behaviour?

In the first instance you should try talking to your neighbour as they may not realise the problem exists and how their behaviour is affecting you.

Try and reach a practical solution to the problem, for example agreeing how cars will be parked, controlling pets or play times for children.

Consider taking part in mediation with the other party. Roddons Housing Association can provide you with this service free of charge, using trained mediators to negotiate an agreed settlement with all parties in a dispute.

Additional advice for people living in flats

It is easier for difficulties to arise in flats as people are living very closely together and sharing facilities.

Everyone can help avoid problems by doing the following:

Most of the problems we deal with are about noise – noise travels easily between flats so please bear this in mind, particularly late at night or early in the morning.
Cleaning the communal areas is a shared responsibility – please ensure the landing and stairs near your flat are cleaned regularly.
Ensure the stairs and landings are not blocked with toys, prams, bikes or rubbish. These can be dangerous especially if there is a fire.
If your block has a key fob entry system, ensure the door is kept shut.

Do not wedge the doors open as this damages the mechanism and means the building is not secure.

What if I have tried talking to my neighbour and it hasn’t worked, or if I don’t feel safe speaking to them?

If talking to your neighbour has failed or you have suffered violence or threats of violence, you should contact us immediately. You should also inform the Police.

Please also see our separate sections on Harassment and Domestic Violence

You can report Anti Social Behaviour 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0800 111 6447 (if calling from a landline), 0300 333 6557 (if calling from a mobile), or via the online reporting form.

We need to have a record of incidents so we can see exactly what is happening and the effect it is having on you. You can obtain an Incident Diary from the Neighbourhood Team or download an incident diary (228 KB).

If you finding completing the Incident Diary difficult, please let us know and we can make alternative arrangements, such as logging the incidents by phone or using a dictaphone.

What action will you take?

The action we can take will depend on the type of behaviour being experiences and the age and vulnerability of the perpetrator. We will discuss the options with you and agree an action plan.

Some options that we will consider include:

Warning visits and letters
Using other agencies such as the Environmental Health Team
Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) or Good Neighbourhood Contracts (GNCs)
Parenting Contracts

What about taking legal action?

This is not the answer in most cases. We will always try and resolve the problems by prevention and intervention wherever possible. Eviction is always the last resort.

Some legal options that we can use are:

Injunctions
Anti Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs)
Extending or terminating a starter tenancy
Demotion of tenancy
Possession of the property.

If we decide to take legal action we will need good evidence to present to court, the Incident Diary will form part of this. You may be asked to attend court and give your evidence in person.