What is antisocial behaviour?
There is no precise definition of antisocial behaviour in housing. To be antisocial behaviour, the behaviour must upset the community and must be persistent.
If you want to take action about anti-social behaviour you should consult with a local advice agency.
Examples of antisocial behaviour
There is a fine line between antisocial behaviour and minor neighbour disputes. Although these minor disputes can become anti-social behaviour if they are persistent. Anti-social behaviour can include:-
- intimidation of neighbours and others through threats or actual violence
- harassment, including racial harassment
- verbal abuse
- homophobic behaviour
- systematic bullying of children in public recreation grounds, on the way to school or even on school grounds
- abusive behaviour aimed at causing distress or fear to certain people, for example, elderly or disabled people
- noise
- dumping rubbish
- animal nuisance
- vandalism, property damage and graffiti.
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What can be done about anti-social behaviour
If you want to take action about anti-social behaviour you should first try and establish who is responsible for the behaviour. It is also important to establish whether the behaviour is deliberate or unintentional.
What you do will depend on the type of behaviour you are complaining about and on the result you want. You may, for example, want one or more of the following:-
- to have the anti-social behaviour stopped
- to get compensation for any damage, loss or injury suffered
- to get an apology
- to be rehoused elsewhere
- the people responsible for the behaviour to be moved/evicted.
To deal with anti-social behaviour you can do one or more of the following:-
- take action yourself, including going to court if you want compensation or an order to stop the behaviour from recurring
- try to negotiate with the other person
- get the other person's landlord or the council to apply for an antisocial behaviour order
- get the other person's landlord to apply for an injunction
- get the police to take action
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