Nuisance and Anti-Social Behaviour Policy

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This is a summary of Hexagon’s Anti-Social Behaviour Statement of Policy. A full version
of the Statement of Policy is available to view at our Head Office. A copy can be
supplied for a fee (currently £25). To arrange to see the full version, or to obtain a
copy, please contact our Customer Services Centre on 020 8778 6699.

This summary can be produced in another language or format on request.

Hexagon will use the following definition of nuisance and antisocial behaviour:

‘conduct which is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to any person involved and directly or indirectly relates to or affects the housing management functions of a relevant landlord’;

‘Conduct which consists of or involves using or threatening to use housing accommodation
owned or managed by a relevant landlord for an unlawful purpose’.

Hexagon is committed to trying to resolve problems of nuisance and anti-social behaviour, and to assisting tenants to enjoy their homes in peace.
We have clear expectations of what we consider to be acceptable behaviour from Hexagon tenants. This is set out in the Tenancy Agreement.
We also have expectations in terms of tolerance, and the reasonableness of any complaint.
Wherever possible, mediation will be considered as our first and preferred option for dealing with anti-social behaviour, and noise nuisance in particular.
We will not normally interfere in personal disputes between neighbours but we will try and help tenants to resolve matters between themselves, through advice and the promotion of mediation services.
Where appropriate, we will work in partnership with other agencies to resolve problems of nuisance and anti-social behaviour. These agencies could include the Local Authority, the Police,Education Services and Environmental Health Services / Noise Teams, and other landlords.
There are three main themes to our approach to nuisance and anti-social behaviour, and any or all will be adopted depending on the nature and severity of the problem.

Preventative Measures

Design or physical changes to the environment to reduce the opportunity for nuisance or anti-social behaviour.
Estate Agreements will be considered to encourage residents to work together to resolve community concerns.
Incentives will be considered to encourage good behaviour – particularly where young people are involved.

Proactive Measures

Multi-agency working.
Mediation, either between individuals or community mediation.
Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC’s) will be considered especially where children are involved.
Diversionary activities will be considered, especially where groups of youths are involved and there is a concentration of RSL housing.
Support and or education for tenants will be considered where there are issues of vulnerability or lack of basic ‘good neighbour’ skills.
Transfers will be considered in extreme circumstances.

Legal Measures

The use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO’s) will be considered.
Injunctions will be considered where appropriate.
Possession or Demoted Tenancy proceedings will be taken where appropriate.
Criminal proceedings will be considered where appropriate.
We will ensure complainants and witnesses are kept informed of our actions, and wherever possible, decisions will be taken in agreement with them.
We will ensure complainants have information on what action Hexagon Housing can take, and what options are available to them.
We will seek feedback from complainants regarding how we have dealt with their complaint, and use this feedback to develop the service.
All complaints of nuisance and anti-social behaviour will be recorded and action monitored by a Senior Officer.
All staff who deal with complaints of nuisance and antisocial behaviour will be trained in Hexagon’s policy and procedure, and in good practise relating to this area.
Hexagon has separate policies and procedures for dealing with reports of domestic violence and harassment. Where nuisance or anti-social behaviour is appening in the context of one of these, the appropriate procedure will be followed.
On a periodic basis, a review will be carried out of the incidence of anti-social behaviour in Hexagon managed stock to try and identify any trends or hotspots. This review will inform any strategy for tackling anti-social behaviour, and service development.

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