18 August 2006
Stronger neighbourhood management is needed to tackle antisocial behaviour and reinforce the government's Respect agenda, social landlords were told this week.
The Respect standard for housing management, launched on August 17, urges councils and housing associations to make it clear that they see antisocial behaviour as a serious issue and to empower residents to take more decisions for themselves.
A recent Housing Corporation survey showed that three in five housing association tenants believe their landlord is tackling antisocial behaviour well at neighbourhood level. Almost 60% employ ASB officers or other specialists.
But speaking at the launch of the standard at Ealing council in west London, housing minister Baroness Andrews said some landlords needed to improve their performance and should use the standard as a benchmark.
'The modern landlord must be accountable to residents, working in partnership with them to define and uphold standards of behaviour,' she said. 'If landlords are seen to act to address antisocial behaviour, their reputation will be enhanced.'
The standard has six components, including accountability and leadership, early intervention, support for victims and witnesses and swift enforcement.
Louise Casey, the government's Respect co-ordinator, said landlords that sign up to it would send a clear signal that they intend to uphold good behaviour.
To coincide with the launch, the Audit Commission announced that it will include antisocial behaviour issues in inspections of tenancy and estate management.
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