New policy to tackle anti-social behaviour among council tenants

Members of Mayo County Council have been asked to approve a new anti-social behaviour (ASB) policy that will provide oversight of council house tenancies. 

The lengthy 24-page policy document, which ascribes powers to the council to evict and penalise tenants engaging in ASB, will be considered over the summer recess before coming before the council in the autumn for formal approval.

The draft policy states: “Mayo County Council recognises the adverse and damaging effect anti-social behaviour can have on the quality of life of our tenants and the community as a whole. Anti-social behaviour can generate significant costs for local authorities as a result of vandalism to property and can create difficulties in letting accommodation. Anti-social behaviour is often symptomatic of social problems such as alcohol or drug addiction or breakdown of the family unit, which local authorities cannot address on their own. Therefore, Mayo County Council will endeavour to investigate and resolve complaints of anti-social behaviour and will work closely with tenants and other agencies such as An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive, Tusla, the Probation Service and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. In the event of serious anti-social behaviour which falls into a criminal category, such serious incidents will be a matter for An Garda Síochána."

The policy outlines that ASB includes offences under the the Misuse of Drugs Acts and any behaviour which causes or is likely to cause any significant or persistent danger, injury, damage, alarm, loss or fear to any person, living, working or otherwise lawfully in or in the vicinity of a house provided by a housing authority or a housing estate in which the house is situate. Damage or defacement by writing or other marks of any property, including a person’s home, as well as incidents of racism, are also listed as offences.

The policy notes that the Criminal Justice Act 2006 gives Gardaí certain powers in relation to ASB such as to apply to the District Court for a behaviour order against a child aged 12-17 years who repeatedly behaves in an anti-social way. The Act also allows the court to make parental supervision orders, requiring parents or guardians to take more responsibility for the child’s behaviour.

The document further outlines the process followed by the council in applying the regulations as well as the penalties that can be applied, including eviction, and states that the policy is outlined to all new tenants as part of pre-tenancy training along with the tenant’s handbook which contains a section on anti-social behaviour.

Any person who believes s/he is a victim of ASB is advised to contact the local housing office to make a complaint or to do so through a public representative. Anonymous complaints will generally not be investigated, and the council will only accept written complaints via the completion of the ASB form.