Ladybird Living – Your London Estate Agent
Anti-social tenants: new rules
The government has recently announced the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan. This aims to allow property owners to use more power to deal with anti-social tenants. Tenants who are “persistently disruptive are evicted”. The notice for eviction can be reduced to just two weeks.
Antisocial behaviour is defined as “persistent noise or by being drunk and disorderly”. Intimidatory behaviour, drug use and vandalism are also considered antisocial.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan will also clearly define anti-social behaviour which will make court processes easier. The government will provide £160 million in funding to solve the issue of anti-social tenants.
Why are these new rules being introduced?
These new rules are being introduced to help property owners deal with anti-social tenants more efficiently. It has been estimated that one in three tenancies in the private sector were ended by property owners due to antisocial behaviour. Similarly, in the social housing sector, approximately one million households were affected by anti-social behaviour last year.
What new powers will be given to property owners in the private sector?
The government has presented various approaches to deal with different types of tenants:
“Low-level – but high impact – anti-social behaviour”
For those who are exhibiting ‘low-level’ anti-social behaviour, eviction should be considered last resort. The Renters’ Reform Bill suggests making use of Ombudsman to find resolutions to any issues to prevent evictions of ‘low-level’ antisocial tenants.
“Sustained acts of intimidating or disruptive behaviour”
If tenants are consistently being disruptive, they will face consequences. The following will also apply:
- Tenancy agreements will include a clause that addresses antisocial behaviour to make it easier to establish a ‘breach of contract.’
- A two-week notice period will be introduced for anti-social behaviour eviction grounds.
- The eviction process will be faster through prioritisation of anti-social cases.
- Judges will consider the impact of the antisocial behaviour and whether tenants tried to resolve the issue between themselves and the property owner.
What new rules will be introduced in the social housing sector?
Property owners within the social housing sector already have eviction powers to effectively deal with anti-social behaviour. However, a new “3 strikes and you’re out” approach will also be introduced to deter antisocial behaviour.
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