Nuisance neighbours
As much of Lee Housing Association’s property is in multiple occupation it is particularly important that people do not behave in a selfish or inconsiderate way. Lee HA takes all instances of such anti-social behaviour seriously. Everyone has the right to live as they choose so long as it doesn’t adversely affect someone else’s chosen way of living. It is essential that people respect each other and other people’s property.
Lee HA has an Anti-Social Behaviour Policy based on the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 which defines anti-social behaviour..
The following is therefore regarded as being a nuisance or is considered to be anti-social behaviour:
- Noise nuisance – playing music too loud in spite of being asked to stop
- Making loud noise at unsocial times despite being asked to stop
- Leaving mess and rubbish in communal or shared areas
- Acting aggressively or using threatening behaviour or language
- Actually being violent towards people or property
- Using ‘Hate’ behaviour that targets members of identified groups because of their perceived differences e.g. racial or sexual abuse
- Using homes to sell drugs or for unlawful purposes.
What to do if your neighbours are a nuisance to you
If it is safe, and you are happy to do so, it’s always easiest to approach the offender directly in a friendly, quiet and peaceful manner. It’s possible that they don’t realise their behaviour is causing a problem.
If that doesn’t work or you feel unable to approach them, contact your housing officer for advice. Where possible, confidentiality will be respected. Every report of anti-social behaviour will be investigated and logged as an act of anti-social behaviour. If necessary the police may need to be called.
It’s a good idea to keep a record of dates, times and the nature of any incidents and encourage neighbours who are similarly affected to do the same.
If the nuisance is noise related and a friendly request to stop has been ignored, it may be worth contacting the local council’s environmental health department as they have greater powers than Lee Housing to deal with this.
If you believe a crime has been committed you should call the police.
Anti-social behaviour is categorised by Lee Housing as follows:
Category A – serious and criminal anti-social behaviour
This could be racial harassment, domestic violence and abuse, assault, racist or homophobic graffiti, gender specific harassment, arson or attempted arson, harassment, serious drug use and drug dealing.
This type of behaviour will be investigated within 1 working day.
Category B – criminal anti-social behaviour
This could be burglary, prostitution, threats and intimidation, car damage and theft, vandalism and graffiti.
This type of behaviour will be investigated within 5 working days.
Category C – other anti-social behaviour
This could be bullying, continually repairing various cars on Lee Housing’s land, abandoning vehicles, boundary disputes, unsanitary conditions, pet nuisance, dog fouling, noisy neighbours, nuisance caused by children and young people hanging around, dumping rubbish, rowdy behaviour, drunkenness and house issues.
This type of behaviour will be investigated within 10 days.
Category D – House issues (shared accommodation)
This could be the use of other people’s property, communal cleaning and hygiene issues, smoking in shared areas.
This type of behaviour will be investigated within 10 days.
Approach taken by Lee Housing
Lee will investigate the complaint and give advice to the complainant. They will aim for a conciliatory solution and offer support to the complainant. An independent mediator may be appointed to assist. If all else fails it may be necessary for Lee HA to take legal action.
All complaints of anti-social behaviour should be concluded within a month and a closure letter sent to the complainant requesting feedback on the way the problem has been handled.