|
Antisocial behaviour is a complex problem and often requires a multi-agency approach. Agencies have different responsibilities and powers to address anti-social behaviour.
The Housing Executive
You can get help from the Housing Executive if you or the person carrying out the antisocial behaviour is a tenant. The Housing Executive has a strict policy for investigating complaints about antisocial behaviour. The Housing Executive may also investigate anonymous complaints if you are afraid of retaliation.
The Housing Executive may be able to evict the person causing the antisocial behaviour, if s/he is a tenant. This is the most drastic way to deal with antisocial behaviour. Eviction is usually used as a last resort. If the Housing Executive do evict them, the person will find it more difficult to apply for Housing Executive or housing association accommodation for up to 2 years.
Injunctions
The Housing Executive can apply for an injunction if either you or the other person is a tenant. An injunction is a court order which tells someone to act in a certain way. For example, an injunction may order the other person to stay away from an area or person. If you break an injunction you can be imprisoned.
Back to top
A housing association
You can get help from a housing association if you or the person carrying out the antisocial behaviour is a tenant. The housing association may be able to evict the person causing the antisocial behaviour, if s/he is a tenant.
This is the most drastic way to deal with antisocial behaviour. Eviction is usually used as a last resort. If the housing association does evict them, the person will find it more difficult to apply for Housing Executive or housing association accommodation for up to 2 years.
Injunctions
The housing association can apply for an injunction if either you or the other person is a tenant. An injunction is a court order which tells someone to act in a certain way. For example, an injunction may order the other person to stay away from an area or person. If you break an injunction you can be imprisoned.
Back to top
Help from the environmental health department
Your local environmental health department can help if you are having problems with:
Contact your environmental health department if you are having problems with noisy neighbours. The environmental health department will investigate if the noise is acceptable. Whether or not the noise is acceptable depends on:
- time of day
- your location
- how long the noise lasts
You may be asked to keep a diary recording the dates and times of the noise nuisance. The environmental health department can set up noise monitoring equipment to record the noise. If you live in Belfast you may be able to get extra help with night time noise from the environmental health department of Belfast City Council.
Back to top
Help from social services
If complaints about anti-social behaviour and neighbour disputes relate to children or a person with a mental illness, social services may be able to help. Contact a local advice agency for more information.
Back to top
Contacting the Ombudsman
If you find it difficult to persuade the Housing Executive, a housing association or a council to take action on antisocial behaviour you can contact the Ombudsman.
Back to top
Help from a private landlord
If the other person is a private tenant their landlord may be able to get an injunction to stop their tenant carrying out the antisocial behaviour. The landlord will have to go to court to prove that the tenant's behaviour poses a 'significant risk of harm'.
Private tenants carrying out antisocial behaviour may be breaking their tenancy agreement. The landlord could start eviction proceeding against the tenant. The landlord must:
- give 28 days notice
- get a court order
If the landlord doesn't follow this procedure s/he could be carrying out an illegal eviction.
Back to top
Mediation
If you don't want to take legal action you may want to consider mediation. This is a process in which an outside organisation helps two or more people in dispute to find seek a mutually acceptable solution. Mediation can be very useful in dealing with some types of neighbour disputes. For example, a dispute between two homeowners.
Mediation is only appropriate if both parties:
- voluntarily choose mediation
- are willing to be reasonable
- are happy to contact the other party
- can communicate
Mediation isn't an appropriate solution if:
- one person won't negotiate
- one person only wants to punish the other
- on person is afraid of abuse, violence or harassment
Back to top
The other person owns their home
If the other person owns their home your options depend on the type of antisocial behaviour. You may be able to get help from:
- the Housing Executive if you are a Housing Executive tenant
- the environmental health department
- the police if the antisocial behaviour is violent
- local residents or community groups
You may also want to use mediation if it is appropriate.
If you are renting privately your landlord may be able to get an injunction to stop the other person carrying out the antisocial behaviour. Your landlord will have to go to court to prove that the tenant's behaviour poses a 'significant risk of harm'.
|
Environmental Health Department addresses (
