Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 – Housing Powers

Salford City Council and New Prospect Housing Limited

ASB Act 2003 – Housing Powers

• Strong emphasis on landlord role• Extends powers to tackle ASB in local communities• Includes measures extending injunction provisions• Judicial discretion in possession proceedings• Introduces Demoted Tenancies• S.12 – Requires us to prepare and publish policies,

procedures and a summary statement in relation to ASB, not later than 6 months from the date of commencement (30/6/04)

Landlord Policy / Procedure

• Must be published and available from 30th December 2004

• Clarify how landlord will deal with ASB• Also what tenants / residents can expect• Must be visible and in public domain• Available on request• Opportunities for consultation

What should be included in the Policy?Amongst other things:-• Commitment to eradicating ASB

• What kind of behaviour is considered unacceptable

• Tenant’s obligations

• Support for witnesses of ASB

• Use of available remedies (legal and other)

• Intervention, Prevention and Rehabilitation

• Use of professional Witnesses and other surveillance

• Issues of confidentiality (e.g. How this will be maintained etc)

• Multi-Agency Partnerships

• Information Exchange and Data Protection

• What training will be provided on dealing with ASB

• Media strategy

What should be included in the Procedure?Amongst other things:-

• How and to whom a complaint of ASB should be made

• How contact will be maintained with the complainant

• What witness support is available

• What classifications will be used to log and monitor incidents of ASB

• How cases can/will be progressed (including likely timescales)

• How progress of the case will be monitored

• Should contain enough information to enable people to understand how the landlord will deal with a complaint of ASB and what is expected of the complainant and perpetrator.

Progress in Salford / NPHL

• Council is landlord / Section 12 duty is on them• NPHL tackle ASB in council areas on council’s behalf• Joint work between SCC / NPHL ongoing• Consultations planned throughout October• Press release in Salford Advertiser 2 September 2004• Life in Salford article in October• Deadline WILL be met

Questions for Consultation Discussion• What do you consider is ASB?• Are you aware of the current NPHL ASB policy? • Have you tried to access it? Was it easy?• How do you think it is currently dealt with?• How would you like ASB to be dealt with?• How would you like to access the new policy summary? Website,

leaflets, mail shot to tenants?• We are developing a joint ASB policy for social and private

residents - current priorities?• Any questions we can’t answer we will find out and get back to

you!

Contact Details – ASB Reporting

• The Nuisance Link team, Community Safety UnitSalford City CouncilFreepost, NWW 1358SALFORDM27 7BDTel 0161 793 3300email: nuisance.link@salford.gov.uk

• New Prospect Housing Limited Call Centre – 0161 909 6513

• Any comments or queries regarding the ASB Policy & Procedures Housing Services on Tel 0161 603 4252