Your behaviour
You are responsible for:
- your behaviour at home and on the estate you live in
- the behaviour of everyone who lives with or visits you.
If you are a joint tenant, you are responsible for the actions of the other joint tenant.
Respect your neighbours
Different tenants have different lifestyles. For example, some people work shift patterns, while others are at home during the day. Some tenants are younger than others. Where this is the case, please try to respect your neighbours.
We cannot stop 'normal' noises such as washing machines, footsteps and children playing.
Nuisance or antisocial behaviour
Problems caused by disagreements with neighbours which cause you harassment, alarm or distress are called antisocial behaviour (ASB).
You must make sure that you do not cause a nuisance to others. We also rely on you to report any ASB to us, or the police.
Serious ASB is a police matter. Serious examples of ASB include:
- drug dealing
- threats of violence
- harassment.
Disagreements, and potentially less serious instances of ASB, can arise from:
- too much noise
- untidy gardens
- businesses being run from home
- pets, particularly dogs
- boundary fences
- verbal or electronic abuse.
Helping you to resolve things
Whenever possible, you should try to solve the problem yourself. We can advise you how to do this. Often, the best way of solving a problem is for neighbours to communicate with each other and try to see each other’s point of view. You could speak with your neighbour or write them a letter.
Gently explaining that the behaviour is upsetting the peace and lifestyle of neighbours can be enough. When you speak to your neighbour, tell them why their behaviour is causing a problem to you. Remember to stay calm and not to get involved in an argument.
If your neighbour continues to be unreasonable while you are talking, walk away.
If things do not improve, you can report antisocial behaviour.
Harassment and victimisation
If someone is abusing, insulting, or otherwise harming you on a regular basis, it's called harassment.
We will not accept any kind of harassment, including verbal abuse or threats of violence and other acts of intimidation. We will particularly not accept harassment because of a person’s race, religion, sex, sexuality, gender identity, disability or age.
What to do if you are being harassed
If you, or a member of your family, are being harassed, you should notify the police immediately. Harassment is often a crime.
They can make enquiries quickly and possibly take steps to prosecute the harasser.
Agencies such as the police, our antisocial behaviour unit and our housing team will work together to try to prevent another incident. Where the person or people responsible have been identified, we will take appropriate action against them.
Domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is any violent or abusive behaviour used by one person to dominate and control another within a close personal or family relationship.
It can happen to anyone of any gender, in all kinds of relationships. It can begin at any time – in a new relationship or after many years together.
It can manifest itself in many ways. It can be:
- physical: beating, punching, kicking, slapping, biting or sexual assault
- emotional: bullying, isolating from family and friends, undermining self-confidence
- verbal: put downs, name calling, shouting
- threatening: threats to kill or harm you or another person, including children; to kill or harm pets; threats to kill themselves
- financial: control over money; not allowing money for personal items, food.
If you and your family are in immediate danger, you can phone the police on 999 and they will always respond. The non-emergency number for the police is 101.
Contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 if you need a refuge space.
Visit our domestic abuse support pages for more information about support services.