7 April 2004
MINISTER ANNOUNCES NEW MEASURES AGAINST ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
A new initiative to clamp down on anti-social behaviour in Housing Executive estates has been launched by John Spellar, Minister with responsibility for the Department for Social Development.
The Minister announced that, from 5 April 2004, all new Housing Executive tenancies are being let on an "introductory" basis. New tenants will be "on probation" for the first 12 months of the tenancy and can be evicted quickly during that time if they engage in anti-social behaviour.
The Minister said: "This is an important step in trying to protect the rights of those Housing Executive tenants who behave responsibly. While the Housing Executive has a duty to provide decent, affordable housing for those who need it, tenants also have a responsibility to respect their neighbours’ right to peace and quiet. New tenants will have an opportunity to show that they accept these values and that they are suitable to be tenants of public sector housing.
"I am pleased that the Housing Executive has decided to use its power to offer introductory tenancies and I expect Northern Ireland’s registered housing associations to follow the Executive’s example very shortly."
The Minister warned that tenants who lose their accommodation as a result of their own anti-social behaviour will not be able to count on being rehoused by the Housing Executive: "New legislation allows the Housing Executive to refuse permanent accommodation to applicants with a record of unacceptable behaviour. Such individuals can no longer expect to be allowed to use public sector housing as a base for their anti-social activities."
The Minister also had a message for existing tenants of the Housing Executive and registered housing associations: "The courts now have much wider powers to terminate secure tenancies. For example, tenants can be held responsible for the behaviour of guests and visitors. Tenants should be aware that that landlords will not hesitate to ask the courts to use these powers against those who make life miserable for others."
Since April 2003, the Housing Executive has repossessed a total of 23 properties for anti-social behaviour and, in two cases, has obtained injunctions to prevent individuals from engaging in such activity.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
The Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 enables the Housing Executive and registered housing associations to offer introductory tenancies. Introductory tenants have limited security of tenure for a 12 month trial period and, if the landlord applies for an order for possession during the trial period, the court will be required to grant it. Introductory tenants whose conduct is satisfactory during the trial period will be granted secure tenancies. In addition, the Order allows the Housing Executive to refuse permanent accommodation to applicants who have been guilty of unacceptable behaviour. The Order also enables the courts to grant injunctions against any individual whose anti-social behaviour affects public or private rented sector accommodation, and extends the existing grounds for possession of secure tenancies.
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