There are concerns that allowing landlords to evict ‘anti social’ tenants within two weeks may endanger vulnerable members of society, such as domestic abuse victims
New plans debuted on Monday 27 March by the Government to tackle antisocial behaviour included a potential provision allowing landlords and housing associations to evict tenants within two weeks.
The Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan proposes, amongst increasing drug testing, fines and community service, to expand the definitions of antisocial behaviour for eviction purposes to any behaviour “capable” of causing “nuisance or annoyance”.
All antisocial evictions would have a two-week notice
The proposed reforms would ensure that private tenancy agreements include clauses that specifically prohibit antisocial behaviour, which would make it easier for landlords to claim a ‘breach in tenancy’ to evict tenants.
Courts will be encouraged to weigh the impact on landlords, neighbours, and housemates in their decision-making, with antisocial behaviour cases given priority in Possession Lists.
Concerns have been raised about the impacts on the most vulnerable members of society
Conor O’Shea, policy manager for the campaign group Generation Rent, responded to the proposals: “We understand that antisocial behaviour can be a problem for neighbours and landlords and they should be able to deal with the worst offenders, but these proposed changes risk undermining security for tenants who should not be affected by these grounds.
“A two-week turnaround for evictions would see cases rushed through without adequate scrutiny, leaving some of the most vulnerable tenants at risk.
Poeple at real risk could be dismissed as ‘noisy neighbours’
Conor continued: “We know that cases of domestic violence are disproportionately reported as antisocial behaviour and that mental health is an issue behind some of these issues too – and that to deal with that you need better support for the people concerned, not taking their homes away.”
Matt Downie, chief executive of the homelessness charity Crisis, said he also feared that the new eviction grounds “could see survivors of domestic abuse or people with support needs forced from their homes if neighbours complain about noise”.
“The Government will need to think carefully about what behaviour is deemed an ‘annoyance’ and provide clear guidance to landlords to ensure survivors are protected from homelessness,” he added.
