We are committed to resolving anti-social behaviour quickly and fairly. We take all complaints seriously and you can speak to us in confidence if you wish.
If you are in immediate danger, phone the police on 999.
Consider your neighbours
You should treat your neighbours with the respect and consideration you’d like to be treated with. For example, give them advance notice if you’re going to be doing DIY, holding a party or making a lot of noise.
All our customers are expected to behave respectfully under the terms of their tenancies or lease agreements.
Anti-social behaviour or criminality can lead to eviction. In 2020 we obtained two evictions and seven injunctions against customers who caused undue distress to their neighbours or local community, for things like drug use and dealing, extreme noise nuisance and abusive behaviour.
Is it anti-social behaviour or not?
Although sometimes inconvenient, the following are not automatically considered anti-social behaviour:
- A one-off party
- Cats in the garden
- Children crying or playing
- Cooking odours
- Dirty looks or rude gestures
- Disputes on social media
- Dog roaming and fouling
- General household living noise at reasonable hours
- Gossiping in the street
- Inconsiderate parking on a public highway
- Lifestyle clash
Use our toolkit below to help you find out what is and is not considered anti-social behaviour, and what steps you need to take next.
ASB toolkit
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Noise
Anti-social behaviour is:
- Persistent or night-time loud noise / music
- Persistent dog barking (but if you concerned for an animal’s welfare, then please let us know or contact the RSPCA)
Persistent noise is that lasting longer than 30 minutes a day for at least 5 days within one week.
Night time noise is between 11pm and 7am.
If the behaviour has been on-going, please:
- Record noise disturbances (see ‘Dealing with anti-social behaviour’ below).
- Log dates and times of the incidents on our diary sheets.
- Send these to us, either by post or via our online form.
Hearing the following is not considered anti-social behaviour:
- Children playing / crying (but if you concerned for a child's welfare then please let us or social services know)
- Footsteps
- General living sounds such as DIY, the washing machine or vacuuming during the day
- Neighbours arguing / shouting (but if you are concerned for someone’s safety see: Abuse and neglect)
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Untidy garden
This is considered a tenancy breach rather than anti-social behaviour. To report an untidy garden please:contact us
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Dogs
The following is not considered anti-social behaviour:
- Occasional barking
- If a dog is let off its lead and unattended by owner
- If dog foul is not picked up by owner
If your concerned for an animal’s welfare, then please let us know or contact the RSPCA
If a dog has bitten someone, please report this to the police immediately. Then tell us the incident report number and the officer’s name so we can make contact and work with them and you to agree the next steps.
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Cars
If there are issues with a vehicle(s) we will consider:
- Where it is parked – in a public area or Cottsway-owned land
- If it has valid tax, MOT and insurance
- Whether it is in a dangerous state of disrepair
- Whether any car repairs or maintenance occurring is beyond normal domestic work.
If a vehicle has been abandoned on Cottsway-owned land, we will start the process to remove it within five working days of it being reported to us.
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Fly-tipping, vandalism and graffiti
It will depend on where this has occurred as to who is responsible for clearing the issue:
- Cottsway-owned land: Please complete our online form with location details, including a photo if possible, or call 01993 890000.
- Public land: Contact your local council so they can arrange removal.
- Private land: This will be the responsibility of the private land owner, not Cottsway.
If the incident has taken place on Cottsway-owned land, we will:
- Remove fly-tipping containing dangerous items within 24 hours and all other fly-tipping within five working days.
- Remove offensive graffiti within 24 hours of it being reported.
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Drunk or rowdy behaviour
If the associated behaviour is of a criminal nature you need to report this to the police immediately, you must also let them know if you are concerned about your safety.
Once you have reported it to the police, please let us know the incident report number and the officer’s name so we can make contact and work with them, and you, to agree the next steps.
If the behaviour has been on-going, please:
- Log dates and times of the incidents on our diary sheets.
- Send these to us, either by post or via our online form.
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Drugs - use, dealing and cultivation
This is a criminal offence and you need to report this to the Police immediately.
You must also let them know if you are concerned for your safety.
Once you have reported it to the police, please let us know the incident report number and the officer’s name so we can make contact and work with them, and you, to agree the next steps.
If any drug related paraphernalia such as pills, syringes and needles are found on our property/land, we can arrange to have them removed immediately.
If the behaviour has been on-going, please:
- Log dates and times of the incidents on our diary sheets.
- Send these to us, either by post or via our online form.
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Harassment and abuse
If the associated behaviour is of a criminal nature you need to report this to the police immediately, you must also let them know if you are concerned about your safety.
Once you have reported it to the police, please let us know the incident report number and the officer’s name so we can make contact and work with them, and you, to agree the next steps.
If the behaviour has been on-going, please:
- Log dates and times of the incidents on our diary sheets.
- Send these to us, either by post or via our online form.
Other support
- Victim Support
0808 168 9111
An independent charity which offers support to people to recover from the effects of crime
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Hate crime and racism
This is a criminal offence and you need to report this to the police immediately.
You must also let them know if you are concerned for your safety.
Once you have reported it to the police, please let us know the incident report number and the officer’s name so we can make contact and work with them, and you, to agree the next steps.
You can report it via our online form or to prevent delays, please call 01993 890000
Other support
- Stop Hate UK
0800 138 1625
National organisation working to challenge all forms of hate crime and discrimination.
- Stop Hate UK
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Assault, arson, knife crime
This is a criminal offence and you need to report this to the Police immediately.
You must also let them know if you are concerned for your safety.
Once you have reported it to the police, please let us know the incident report number and the officer’s name so we can make contact and work with them, and you, to agree the next steps.
You can report it via our online form or to prevent delays, please call 01993 89000.
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Dealing with anti-social behaviour
Depending on the type of antisocial behaviour you’re experiencing, there are different steps you should take.
Talk to the person involved (if it is safe to do so)
If you know who is causing the problem and you feel safe to do so, talk to them. Explain how their activities or behaviour is affecting you. Often issues can be down to a simple misunderstanding which can be resolved through talking. However, if this is not possible you can report issues to us, and we will investigate.
For help and advice on dealing with your neighbour see: Resolve’s guidance information
Keep an incident record
Write down details of the incident(s) when it occurs. When you contact us to report anti-social behaviour, you will be asked for this information as it will help us deal with your concerns. To help you do this:
- Download our diary sheets LINK
Record noise disturbances
To help us investigate complaints about noise and anti-social behaviour you can record noise disturbances on the Noise App and send us the recordings to support your complaint.
- An introduction to the Noise App(video)
- How to use the Nosie App(video)
Download the Noise App:
Dealing with anti-social behaviour
We want you to know that we are committed to resolving anti-social behaviour quickly and fairly, if it happens. We take all complaints seriously and will not divulge your details without your permission.
If you are experiencing an issue with a neighbour we may ask you to discuss this with them directly first - often issues can be down to a simple misunderstanding which can be resolved through talking. However, if this is not possible you can report issues to us and we will investigate.
How we deal with your report will be decided with you so that you are comfortable with the action we take and regular updates will be provided throughout our investigation. A case will only be closed when it is deemed appropriate to do so.
Noise complaints
To help us investigate complaints about noise and anti-social behaviour you can record noise disturbances on the Noise App and send us the recordings to support your complaint.
- An introduction to the Noise App (video)
- How to use the Nosie App (video)
Download the Noise App:
Normal living noises such hearing the washing machine or hoovering during the day and children playing / crying are not considered anti-social behaviour. However, if you concerned for a child's welfare then please let us or social services know.
Anti-social behaviour service review
Our customer Scrutiny Group reviewed our approach to anti-social behaviour (ASB) in autumn 2020. You can find out more and read their report at: Anti-social behaviour scrutiny review 2020
Report your concerns to us so we can investigate. We may ask you for more details if necessary.
