31 August 2007
Housing associations are spurning antisocial behaviour orders in favour of other sanctions that help them evict unruly tenants, a new study shows.
Just 29% of registered social landlords took out Asbos during 2005/06 — mainly because they are seen as expensive and time-consuming. But, according to the Housing Corporation study, published on August 23, 65% evicted tenants for antisocial behaviour after gaining possession orders. Whereas total evictions fell by 6% in 2005/06, evictions for antisocial behaviour rose by 10%. In supported housing for vulnerable people, ASB accounted for 40% of all evictions.
The study, carried out by Heriot-Watt University, found that 79% of RSLs are using at least one form of legal power to tackle antisocial behaviour. But most only use Asbos in cases involving young people and other non-tenants where injunctions and possession orders are not applicable.
About two-thirds of landlords use voluntary 'acceptable behaviour contracts', which have no legal basis, but are seen as a quicker and cheaper way to deal with youth disorder.
The study rebuts suggestions that antisocial behaviour is growing. Just 11% of landlords are using a new power to demote tenants to less secure short-hold tenancies, but the study forecasts this is likely to be used more frequently.
PFaug2007
