Tackling Neighbourhood Nuisance and Anti-social Behavior

The Gateshead Housing Company is committed to allowing tenants peace and quiet at home.

If your neighbours are causing you a problem, we want to help you resolve this as soon as possible.

A range of things cause neighbourhood problems, resulting in minor disputes to more serious ones.

Anti-Social Behaviour complaints or incidents can now be reported online, please click here to be taken to the reporting form.

What is Nuisance?

It is behaviour causing others to suffer through lack of consideration, not usually aimed at one person.

What is Harassment?

This is unreasonable behaviour that is committed by people towards a particular person, family or group of people for a variety of reasons.

What can I do if I am having problems with my neighbours?

Neighbour nuisance problems are common. However, most can be resolved quickly and easily without causing undue distress or upset.

• Most problems are caused by not talking to each other. For example, not telling a neighbour about a party or DIY plans.
• The first step to resolve a dispute may be simply talking to your neighbour. If the first they hear of your problem is from us or
• the Police, it can make matters worse.
• If you feel unable to talk to your neighbour then report the problem as quickly as possible to your nearest housing office.
• If you think that squatters are present in a property managed by The Gateshead Housing Company then please contact your nearest office.

What will we do?

This really depends upon the severity of the situation.

At first we may ask you to try to resolve the matter with your neighbour yourself. If that fails we will investigate your complaint and may ask you to provide supporting evidence. This may be done by giving a statement or completing diary sheets, giving details of incidents.

We will advise you if we are able to take action to help you and if so, what we hope to do.

If you are unwilling to make a statement, the options may be limited.

If we are unable to help, we will tell you why and, where possible, inform you of other agencies, such as the Police, who may be able to help.

• We will not disclose your details to anyone without your consent.

What Service Standards can I expect from The Gateshead Housing Company?

Service Standards:

• When you report an incident of anti-social behaviour we will acknowledge your complaint and begin investigating it within: 24 hours for high priority cases (for example racial harassment); 5 working days for routine cases (for example neighbour disputes) 

• We will provide you with a case reference number and advise you of a named officer who will be responsible for investigating your case.

• We will agree an Action Plan with you, which details the actions we will take to resolve your case and an agreement on how often we will provide feedback to you.

• When we close your case we will advise you of this in writing.

Our Commitment to You:

• We will deal with your compliant as quickly as possible

• We will give you advice on our policies and procedures

• We will agree with you what actions can be taken to resolve your case and the likely timescales involved

• We may ask you to record any incidents in a diary. We will explain how this should be done and for how long

• We will respect confidentiality and will not disclose your identity unless we have your agreement to do so

• We will offer private interviews to discuss your case and offer same sex interviews if appropriate

• We will keep you regularly informed of progress and actions taken to resolve your case

• We may work with other agencies to resolve your case, for example, the Police, Youth Offending Teams, Mediation services, Neighbourhood Wardens service

• We will advise you of other support that may be available to you, such as Victim Support

• We are aware that you may feel uncomfortable giving evidence in court. If this happens we will try to use other evidence where possible, such as neighbourhood wardens or housing officers. We will discuss this with you during the investigation of your case

• If you are willing to go to court we will support you before, during and after this process

• We may ask you to complete a satisfaction survey when your case is closed, this will help us improve and develop our service 

The Gateshead Housing Company’s service standards will be regularly reviewed in consultation with tenants and leaseholders, as part of our continuing commitment to improve our service.

What is the role of the Neighbourhood Relations Team?

NRT is a specialist team that supports the work of estate officers. If an estate officer is unable to resolve the issue, then they can refer the matter to NRT to look at solving the issue. NRT will investigate the problem and attempt to resolve it for all parties. They may also:

• Contact other witnesses for information.
• Interview your neighbour and if appropriate, issue a formal warning.
• Look at an ‘Acceptable Behaviour Agreement’ (ABA). This is where your neighbour agrees not to behave in a way which causes nuisance. This is voluntary and not legally binding.

Neighbourhood Relations Team can be contacted by:

• Telephone (office hours) - 0191 433 5327
• Text / Calling - 07799 58 197 (weekdays 5pm - 8pm)
• Email - nrt@gatesheadhousing.co.uk

What legal action can be taken?

• Home possession proceedings through the County Courts
• Demotion of tenancy through the County Courts
• Taking action using injunctions.
• Suspending the Right to Buy through the County Courts
• Taking legal action requires a high level of supporting evidence. You may also be required to act as a witness in court. We will support you before, during and after this process.

The outcome of legal proceedings is dependant upon the judge. We can also work with Gateshead Council and the Police to try to obtain an ‘Anti-Social Behavior Order’ (ASBO) against anyone causing a nuisance.

The company is committed to working in partnership with Gateshead Council.

The company has produced an Anti-social Behaviour Strategy (2005/08), which outlines our commitment to tackling this problem. In partnership with Gateshead Council we have produced an anti-social behavior policy and procedures document.

You can request a copy of this policy by contacting NRT on 0191 433 5327

The Neighbourhood Relations Team also has a dedicated Young Persons Officer.

Their role is to support young people and their familys, whether perpetrators or victims of anti-social behaviour, and help identify and resolve problems at an early stage.

Through joint working with partners including schools, Youth Offending Team, Education Welfare, the Amber Programme and the Police, the officer will raise awareness of the concequences of anti-social behaviour to young people acress Gateshead.

Contact the Young Persons Officer by:

• Calling - 0191 433 5336
• Texting / Calling - 07733127213

Can anyone else help?

You may be able to receive help from other agencies, depending on the problem.

Criminal matters should be reported to the Police, who may give us information to help resolve the issue.

You can also get advice from:

• Local solicitors
• Citizen’s Advice Bureau on 0191 477 1392
• Gateshead Victim Support on 0191 477 8395.

Gateshead Council may also be able to help with certain problems, for example, stray dogs, noise and burning refuse.

You can also contact Gateshead Council for advice and information on these issues or to report an anti-social behaviour or noise incidents on 0191 433 3000 (8:00am - 5:00pm weekdays).

If you want to make a complaint or report an incident, you can contact your nearest housing housing office.

You can also contact the Neighbourhood Relations Team on 0191 433 5327 (during office hours) or for out of hours contact call or text 07799 583197 between 5pm and 8pm during weekdays.

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