As a landlord, you have a responsibility to ensure that your property is a safe and pleasant place for your tenants to live. One of the biggest challenges you may face is dealing with anti-social behaviour, which can have a negative impact on your property, your other tenants, and the wider community. In this article, we’ll provide you with some practical tips on how to deal with anti-social behaviour effectively.

Types of Anti-Social Behaviour:

There are many types of anti-social behaviour, and they will differ from person to person, and neighbour to neighbour. We have collected some broad examples of what can be considered as such:

• Parties
• Excessive loud noise (Music, shouting and screaming etc)
• Abusive Behaviour
• Allowing Animals to run free

While this may not be taking place in your home, as a landlord, you have a duty of care and may be asked to work alongside the police or council to help fix any issues that may arise.

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Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure, so it’s important to take steps to avoid renting to people who are likely to engage in anti-social behaviour. To do this, you can screen potential tenants thoroughly, checking references, employment history, and credit checks. You should also be clear about your expectations and rules, and communicate them clearly to your tenants. You can foster a sense of community and respect by encouraging sensible social events.

Early Intervention

Acting quickly is key when it comes to dealing with anti-social behaviour. Signs of anti-social behaviour can include noise complaints, damage to property, or aggressive behaviour. Keeping records and building a case against the problematic tenant is important. You can try to resolve the issue informally by talking to the tenant, issuing a warning letter or by mediation.

What are a tenant’s legal obligations?

Under an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement, a tenant has several legal obligations, including behaving in a responsible and respectful manner towards others in the community. Anti-social behaviour is generally defined as any behaviour that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to others, and it can include a wide range of activities such as excessive noise, drug use, vandalism, and violence.

If a tenant engages in anti-social behaviour, they can be in breach of their AST agreement and may face consequences. Some possible legal obligations of a tenant regarding anti-social behaviour under an AST agreement may include:

1. Not to engage in anti-social behaviour: The tenant is obliged to refrain from any activity that may cause harassment, alarm or distress to others.
2. To take reasonable steps to prevent guests or visitors from engaging in anti-social behaviour: The tenant is responsible for the actions of anyone they invite into the property.
3. To comply with any legal notices or court orders: If the tenant is served with a legal notice or court order related to anti-social behaviour, they must comply with it.
4. To cooperate with the landlord or their agent: The tenant is obliged to cooperate with the landlord or their agent in resolving any anti-social behaviour issues that arise.

If a tenant is found to be in breach of their AST agreement due to anti-social behaviour, the landlord may be able to take action.

Legal Action

In some cases, legal action may be necessary to deal with anti-social behaviour. You have various legal options available to you, such as seeking a court injunction, applying for a possession order under a Section 8 Notice, or involving the police. It’s important to prepare for a court case by gathering evidence and witnesses and seeking legal advice.

Conclusion

In summary, dealing with anti-social behaviour is a challenge for landlords, but it’s important to take it seriously and be proactive. Prevention is key, but if it does occur, it’s important to act quickly and follow the right legal procedures. By taking action, you can create a safe and pleasant living environment for all your tenants and help to improve the wider community. Remember, being a good landlord means being proactive, responsive and compassionate towards your tenants.

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