Nuisance tenants could be “demoted” to less secure, introductory-style tenancies in a shake up of the way social landlords deal with antisocial behaviour, unveiled this week.
RSLs are also likely to have their role formally established to ensure a better exchange of data with police.

A DTLR consultation paper proposes that social landlords be given the power to extend introductory or assured shorthold tenancies, or to demote tenants to less secure tenancies.

This demotion could happen with or without recourse to the courts and act alongside a compulsory transfer to alternative accommodation in some cases, it said.

Such a move could reduce the number of injunctions and make it easier for councils and RSLs to “swiftly” evict those whose behaviour did not improve. It would offer better security to tenants, as landlords would have to prove antisocial activity.

The Home Office has already proposed that RSLs should be able to apply for antisocial behaviour orders directly (Housing Today, 31 January).

But the DTLR admitted tenants might feel threatened and distrustful of landlords that held such powers.

DTLR secretary Stephen Byers denied that the move would see increased evictions.

“We are not on an eviction crusade,” he said. “But where eviction is a necessary and proportionate response to antisocial behaviour, it must happen with all possible speed.”

The paper will also focus on prevention and rehabilitation, Byers explained. Other proposals will include a requirement for crime and disorder partnerships to have some form of RSL presence – such as a representative housing association.

The government is examining how it can “best improve the contribution which different public services make to the reduction of crime and disorder,” the paper added. It suggested that RSLs be established as ‘relevant authorities’ under the Crime and Disorder Act. This would ensure a better exchange of data, the DTLR explained.

Information on possession order actions taken by social landlords will be broken down between councils and RSLs and into categories of why action was taken, it said.

National Housing Federation policy officer John Bryant said: “Antisocial behaviour is a major problem for tenants and the community and we want our members to be able to take swift action to tackle it.

“Associations play an important role in housing many of the most vulnerable and excluded people in society and there needs to be support for prevention and rehabilitation as part of the solution to this problem.

“It’s not clear that the proposals will necessarily help our members. Better coordination between enforcement agencies and better access to information would be helpful.”

Tackling antisocial tenants: www.housing.dtlr.gov.uk/information/consult/antisocial/index.htm.

Source

Housing Today