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.
Anti-social behaviour or criminality can lead to eviction. In 2021 we obtained six anti-social behaviour injunctions and commenced three repossession claims 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.
If you are in immediate danger, phone the police on 999.
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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.
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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 ASB toolkit below to help you find out what is and is not considered anti-social behaviour, and what steps you need to take next.
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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
When you contact us, you will be asked for information about the anti-social behaviour. You can use our incident diary to keep a record of everything that happens. This will help us to deal with your concerns.
Please include details of the incident(s) when it occurs, providing as much detail of as possible. Keeping the diary up to date helps us work out what we can do to help resolve the matter. Once you’ve completed the diary for two weeks, please scan or photograph your diary and send it back to us.
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Reporting anti-social behaviour
If you have tried but are unable to resolve an issue yourself, you can report your concerns to us so we can investigate. We may ask you for more details if necessary.
- Report anti-social behaviour via our website
- Call 01993 890000 (24/7 service)
Please note: Although you may make reports of ASB anonymously, sometimes this can limit the actions we can take. We will not disclose your identity if you do not want us to. However, sometimes the nature of the complaint may make identification possible.
You may also need to report the incident and pass on reference numbers to us. This may include:
- Your local council if the incident involves environmental issues such as animals, pest control, noise, fly-tipping or hazardous materials.
- The police if the incident is of a serious or criminal nature.
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How we deal with anti-social behaviour reports
How we deal with your report will be discussed with you so that you are comfortable with the action we take. Regular updates will be provided throughout our investigation.
Typically, we will:
- Acknowledge your report and give you a unique reference number.
- Discuss the issues with you and agree an action plan of what we can/will do.
- Give you timeframes within which you can expect us to respond.
- Regularly update you on the progress of your case.
- Always contact you before we close your case.
The ASB app
Once you have reported an ASB issue to us we may send you a private link to a web-based service run by ASB operations. This is called the ASB app and you can use any device to access this service which enables you to continue to gather and log new evidence to support your case eg, photographs, videos, noise recordings and diary sheets. It will provide a live feed which will be reviewed daily by our housing officers.
If we’ve sent you a link to the ASB app you can find some handy user guides on our ASB app webpage
More information
For further details on how we deal with anti-social behaviour:
- See Anti-social behaviour reports made easy: procedure summary
- Download our anti-social behaviour policy
Read our customer Scrutiny Group's review of our approach to anti-social behaviour at:
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Mediation
In some cases, voluntary mediation might help to resolve your problem. It is an informal, confidential and independent service available to help neighbours sort out their differences and reach an agreement. They can help you and your neighbour(s) understand each other’s point of view and reach a solution. Please ask and we will refer you.
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Community Trigger (anti-social behaviour case review)
If you have reported three or more separate incidents of anti-social behaviour or hate crime within the past six months to Cottsway, the police or your local council, you can ask for a multi-agency review of your case. This is known as a Community Trigger.
The Community Trigger:
- Should only be used if you think your concerns have not been dealt with or acted upon.
- Ensures there is a multi-agency review where cases have been reported and inadequate action has been taken.
- Is not a complaints procedure. To make a complaint, please see Complaints and feedback
You can request a Community Trigger review yourself or on behalf on someone else, but you must have their written consent.
For more information about the Community Trigger process where you live, please contact your local authority or local police.
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 ongoing, please:
- Record noise disturbances and/or
- Log dates and times of occurrences on our incident diary.
- Send these to us, either by post or via our online form.
See ‘Dealing with anti-social behaviour’ above.
Hearing the following is not considered anti-social behaviour:
- Children playing / crying (but if you are 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 are considered a tenancy breach rather than 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
To report a tenancy breach please: contact us
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 & 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 ongoing, please:
- Log dates and times of occurrences on our incident diary.
- Send this to us, either by post or via our online form.
See ‘Dealing with anti-social behaviour’ above.
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Drugs
Drug use, dealing and cultivation 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 will remove them immediately.
If the behaviour has been ongoing, please:
- Log dates and times of occurrences on our incident diary.
- Send this to us, either by post or via our online form.
See ‘Dealing with anti-social behaviour’ above.
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Harassment & 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 ongoing, please:
- Log dates and times of occurrences on our incident diary.
- Send this to us, either by post or via our online form.
See ‘Dealing with anti-social behaviour’ above.
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 & 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.
