Neighbour Nuisance and Anti Social Behaviour

E-mail: estatemanagement@eastdevon.gov.uk

What is Anti Social Behaviour?
A broad definition is “behaviour which impacts negatively on a resident’s or visitor’s quality of life in and around their home”. It can be caused by anyone who acts in a manner which may cause alarm, distress or harassment to someone else.

Our tenants should act in a reasonable manner at all times and have respect for their property, their surroundings and their neighbours. Tenants are also responsible for the actions of their family, others who live with them, and their visitors.

Examples of antisocial behaviour can include:

  • abandoned vehicles
  • rubbish
  • vandalism
  • graffiti
  • noisy neighbours, late night parties or loud music
  • drug dealing or drug related behaviour

What can you do?

  • For problems relating to rubbish, graffiti, and untaxed vehicles:- please report these to our Estate Management Section.
  • For problems with your neighbours:- Neighbour nuisance or disputes are initially best sorted out by speaking to your neighbour and having consideration for each other. If problems continue you should contact Estate Management, who will investigate the situation and advise you of what action can be taken. You may be asked to complete a log giving dates & times of nuisance, which could be used in any future legal proceedings.

To report neighbour nuisance or anti-social behaviour online click here.

  • For problems with loud music and other amplified noise after 6pm: - You can contact our Out of Hours service on 01395 516854. An Environmental Health Officer will respond to your complaint. If they witness the noise and deem it to be a statutory nuisance, they can take action under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

What can we do?

  • Your report to us is confidential and we will not tell the person causing the nuisance who has made the complaint.
  • We will visit or write to the person causing the nuisance, and keep you informed of the action we are taking, or give you advice as necessary.
  • If the nuisance behaviour persists, we may take legal action for a breach of the conditions of the Tenancy. However we will always try to persuade the other party to behave reasonably before any court action is taken for possession.
  • Anyone who is evicted for antisocial behaviour is likely to be classed as “intentionally homeless” and so would be unlikely to be re-housed by the Council or another registered social landlord.
  • Where we consider taking legal action, we will need on going evidence, such as log sheets, giving precise details of incidents which have occurred, to enable us to build up a case to present to the court.
  • In cases of continuing nuisance or antisocial behaviour, we will work closely with the police, and other Agencies as necessary, to resolve the problem. We may also take enforcement action under the Antisocial Behaviour legislation, or a Housing Act Injunction to prohibit undesirable behaviour.
  • Where there is a dispute between neighbours, we may recommend mediation to resolve the differences. This is paid for by the Council, but carried out by independent trained mediators who will work to find common ground between neighbours.
  • In the case of loud music, we can take action for a breach of the Tenancy Agreement, but in addition where the noise is deemed to be a statutory nuisance, Environmental Health Officers can serve an Abatement Notice, and if breached, can apply to the Magistrates Court for a warrant to seize the offending equipment.

What can the Police do?

  • Please report all cases of harassament, physical assault, stolen property or criminal damage to your property to the police.
  • They will advise you about the action they can take, which will depend on the circumstances of the incident.
  • Please ask for a log number for the incident.

Checklist of actions to resolve neighbour problems

  1. Speak to your neighbour in a courteous manner, to see whether the problem can be sorted out – remember they may not realise they are causing a noise or nuisance.
  2. Allow a reasonable time (say 2 weeks) for an improvement in the situation.
  3. If nothing has changed, consider whether you should speak again to your neighbour, or contact us for further advice.
  4. Contact the police about harassment, assault or criminal damage.

You can contact us by:

Writing to Estate Management, Housing Services, East Devon District Council, Knowle, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 8HL

Telephoning:

  • 01395 517458 in office hours (8.30am - 5pm Monday to Friday)
  • 01395 516854 out of hours (for noise problems only)

E-mailing: estatemanagement@eastdevon.gov.uk

To report neighbour nuisance or anti-social behaviour online click here.

You can contact the police, for non urgent issues, on:  08452 777444