Anti-social behaviour

The definition of anti-social behaviour given in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 is that a 'person has acted in a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household as himself'. These problems are often brought about by neighbour disputes and friction and can become a significant housing-related issue. Anti-social behaviour can include loud noise or music, verbal abuse, vandalism, drug dealing, racial and other harassment and even physical violence. This kind of behaviour has a destructive effect on individuals, families and the community. The Housing Acts of 1985 and 1996 gave landlords, councils and the police a number of powers to deal with anti-social tenants. These included tighter tenancy agreements, injunctions and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders. These powers were further extended by the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. The process of evicting nuisance tenants has a number of housing and homelessness implications. This keyword covers some of the resources about legislation, anti-social behaviour and housing, and good practice in dealing with anti-social tenants.