Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Grant Shapps Announces New Anti-Social Behaviour Powers

Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, has announced that "nightmare tenants" who are persistently guilty of antisocial behaviour "will face swifter justice".  Mr Shapps announced proposed new powers which would "significantly speed up the eviction process." 

This follows a consultation on this issue from August 2011.  The Government has now published its response which can be found HERE.  Sections two and three of this document summarise responses to the consultation. Section four sets out final proposals and next steps in the light of consultation responses.

In response to a Parliamentary Question from Stephen Barclay MP on what steps the DCLG has taken to help residents living next to an antisocial tenant of a private landlord, Communities Minister, Andrew Stunell MP, responded: "Local authorities have extensive powers under the Housing Act 2004 to take action against private landlords who fail in their responsibilities. These powers include the discretion to introduce selective licensing schemes in areas suffering from low housing demand and/or significant incidence of antisocial behaviour without having to first seek Departmental approval I believe that it is right for these local decisions to be made by those who are directly accountable to local communities.  The Act also provides local authorities with powers to take over the management of individual privately rented properties should a landlord fail to deal with a tenant's antisocial behaviour. I would urge and encourage local authorities to make full use of their powers to target and tackle the small minority of rogue landlords."