Antisocial Behaviour

The types of behaviour that we consider antisocial include:

• Domestic violence and abuse
• Physical violence
• Hate-related incidents (such as those based on race, sexual orientation, gender, disability or belief)
• Verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation or threatening behaviour
• Excessive noise
• Vandalism and damage to properties, including graffiti
• Dropping litter or dumping rubbish, including fly-tipping
• Prostitution or sexual acts
• Criminal behaviour, including the dealing and cultivation of drugs
• Pets being allowed to foul in public spaces
• Misuse of communal areas, public areas or loitering

We would not normally consider behaviour around different cultures or lifestyles, or which may not be considered unreasonable by most people, as ASB. The issues listed below are usually not considered to be ASB:

• Cooking smells
• DIY during reasonable hours
• Minor or occasional car repairs
• Young people gathering socially or children playing
• Someone parking lawfully outside your home
• Civic disputes between neighbours (such as boundary issues or shared driveways)
• Day to day living noises

However, if any of the above examples were having a harmful impact on a vulnerable person, then we would investigate further.

When you report an ASB incident to us, we’ll prioritise it depending on what is happening and how it is affecting you.

We will also ask you some more standard, in-depth, questions to make sure that we fully understand the issue and the impact it’s having on you. We’ll then manage the case according to the priority it is allocated.

Once your case has been categorised, we’ll contact you to agree on an action plan and update you on the amount of time it’s likely to take. We will always deal with the situation sensitively and explain what action can be taken. During the investigation, we may offer a range of relevant support and advice to try to resolve your complaint.

We’re committed to doing everything we can to stop antisocial behaviour. This can include issuing verbal and written warnings, acceptable behaviour agreements, injunctions and, as a last resort, even seeking possession of a home.

Often problems cannot be solved by one agency alone, but we can work together with other organisations, such as the police and local authority, to improve your quality of life.

Whatever action is taken, we will ensure that anyone experiencing antisocial behaviour is supported and kept informed of progress.

No one should be subject to harassment, abuse or bullying at any time, let alone at work. We aim to treat every resident with respect and believe that Sanctuary staff have the right to work in a safe environment and are here to help you.

We will not tolerate violence, physical aggression or verbal abuse towards our staff by members of the public. If this happens, Sanctuary Housing reserves the right to take further action against anyone acting inappropriately towards members of our staff.

Please respect the privacy and dignity of others and do not film, take photographs of, or make comments about staff or visitors on social media without their consent.