Most of us try to be good neighbours. If someone's behaviour does upset us, often a friendly word is all that is needed to resolve matters. Sometimes things can't be solved so easily and someone's behaviour can become a real nuisance.
What is anti-social behaviour?
Your agreement with us says that you mustn't cause a nuisance or indulge in anti-social behaviour. You are also responsible for the behaviour of your household, anyone who comes to visit you and any pets belonging to you or your visitors.
Anti-social behaviour means acting in a way that causes or is likely to cause alarm, harassment or distress to one or more people in another household. This includes your neighbours and any visitors to your neighbourhood, including staff or contractors working on our behalf.
What is harassment?
Harassment is a serious form of anti-social behaviour which is directed at individuals, their families or groups of individuals. It involves offensive behaviour that interferes with other people's quality of life. Sometimes it results from discrimination because of people's colour, race, sex, sexuality, religious belief, age or disability. We take allegations of harassment very seriously.
Harassment may involve
. Violence or threats of violence towards anyone.
. Violent or intimidating behaviour, including possessing a weapon or something that could be used as one.
. Insulting or racist words or behaviour, including threatening or abusive graffiti
. Vandalism, damage or threats of damage to someone's property
. Malicious phone calls or letters
. Deliberately playing music, TV's or radios at a high volume to annoy a neighbour.
Your rights
We believe that you have the right to enjoy living in your home and that everyone has the right to live in an environment free from intimidation and social behaviour.
We will investigate any complaints made relating to anti-social behaviour and take action that is appropriate to the seriousness of the behaviour. This is not a guarantee that we will or can take legal action in every case. Apart from very serious cases of violence or harassment, we encourage residents to try and sort out their differences where possible. You should remember that a serious breach of your lease can result in the loss of your home. We will take action to evict you if you are convicted for using your home for anything illegal.
Being a good neighbour
The types of nuisance and annoyance most likely to result in complaints are:
. Playing music, TV or radio too loudly or with windows open
. Offensive drunkenness or drug abuse
. Shouting, loud arguments (especially involving foul language), slamming doors
. Gathering in stairwells or outside properties, drinking, spitting or intimidating other residents
. Vandalism and graffiti
. Dumping rubbish
. Revving car or motorbike engines repeatedly
. Repairing motor vehicles on your own property or in shared areas (other than minor maintenance on your own vehicle)
. Dogs barking and fouling or being out of control
. DIY at unsociable hours
. Throwing things from balconies or out of windows
Pets
Measures such as keeping your dog under control and picking up after it are a matter of common sense. Not leaving your dog along for long periods will help prevent prolonged barking becoming a problem.
Noise
Noise is one of the most common causes of neighbour disputes. Apart from keeping the volume down on TVs, radios, musical instruments etc., it's best to warn your neighbours beforehand if you're planning to have a party and tell them when it will finish - better still, invite them along. Keep the music down and ask people to be quiet when they leave.
You will need our permission for any public events in your home or in any shared areas, although normal private parties are not a problem.
Rubbish
Leaving rubbish outside your property isn't likely to endear you to your neighbours. It's unsightly and can devalue your home. It's also unhygienic and may attract vermin.
If you have large items to dispose of your local council may be able to arrange collection. Alternatively the SOFA project may be able to collect furniture that is suitable for re-use.
