We’re here to help with anti-social behaviour in your neighbourhood or estate. When you contact us about an issue you’re experiencing, some of the steps we can take include:
- provide you with helpful information on the next steps you should take
- make sure you know what to do if the problem continues or gets worse
- fund mediation services if communication has broken down
- speak to our partner agencies for more advice and guidance (with your permission)
What is anti-social behaviour?
We believe in creating a space where everyone can feel safe and secure.
Anti-social behaviour, or ASB, are actions that can cause someone to feel harassed, alarmed or distressed in their neighbourhood. It disrupts the peace, safety, and quality of life within our community.
It’s important to remember that the definition of ASB is subjective, meaning it will vary from person to person. What one person considers upsetting and anti-social, another person might not mind.
Typical examples include:
- persistent noise nuisance, such as regular parties or loud music
- verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation, threatening behaviour
- hate crime
- vandalism and damage to property
- drugs misuse/dealing (including cultivation, manufacture, supply and use of drugs and other substance misuse)
- alcohol-related anti-social behaviour
- physical violence, including threats of violence
- misuse of communal areas/public spaces/loitering
- using your home for immoral purposes
- any other criminal behaviour not included in the categories above for example arson
Safeguarding and domestic abuse
If you’re in an unsafe situation or suspect something isn’t right in your community, don’t keep it to yourself.
See how you can safely take action, plus advice on the types of support we offer.
Accent's anti-social behaviour and hate crime policy
Download a copy of our anti-social behaviour and hate crime policy here, which explains processes for responding to and dealing with ASB.
What is not considered anti-social behaviour?
Sometimes, another customer’s behaviour might upset you, but if they didn’t mean to cause any harm, we might not consider it to be ASB.
Some examples of behaviour that we don’t consider to be ASB include:
- parking disagreements (as long as the other driver is parked legally)
- strong cooking smells
- cultural differences
- location of bins
- dirty looks
- children playing or making noise
- isolated incidents of loud music
- isolated incidents of arguing and shouting
- general household noise (babies crying, children playing, people walking or talking in their homes, doors and windows closing, vacuuming, using white goods, DIY, working from home at a desk)
- motorbike or car engines starting and running
How we decide what is and isn’t anti-social behaviour
Accent’s Good Neighbourhood Management policy sets out our guidelines on ASB.
These guidelines are defined, clear and objective, so we can decide what is and isn’t appropriate behaviour. We refer to this policy when trying to work out how to help you with your issue.
Accent's good neighbourhood management policy
See how we approach neighbourhood issues which are not antisocial behaviour but still need our response.
Dealing with criminal anti-social behaviour in your neighbourhood
1. Report it to the police
If the ASB you’re witnessing is a criminal offence, ring the police on 101 immediately, or 999 if it’s an emergency. Always let the police know if you’re concerned about your safety.
Remember to note down the incident number and the police officer’s name, you’ll need this later. You can also report anonymously to Crime Stoppers online, or by calling 0800 555 111.
Examples of ASB that’s a criminal offence includes:
- aggressive behaviour
- assault
- threats of violence
- arson
- gun and knife crime
- drugs
- sexual offences
- vandalism
- intimidation
- harassment
2. Let us know about the incident
If the incident involves an Accent customer or is on our land, you should let us know. Report it by filling in the form at the bottom of this page.
We’ll ask you for your incident number and police officer’s name so we can get in touch with them. We need to allow the police to investigate. I any prosecution or conviction is made, Accent may consider enforcement action.
3. Next steps
We’ll provide you with an update as soon as we can.
If you’re feeling unsafe or in need of any support or advice, we can give you information and help you access support agencies in your area.
Keeping a diary
We might ask you to fill in a diary sheet that records the dates and times of the incidents that are taking place. This helps us monitor the situation and identify any tenancy breaches, or check to see if you’re exposed to situations like intimidation, harassment or alcohol-related incidents.
We’ll ask you to keep a note of:
- how often the incident is happening
- how bad each incident is
- how big an area is affected
- what happened in each incident
- how long each incident lasts
- the impact this is having on you
It’s important that you record incidents accurately so that we’re able to use it, if necessary, as evidence in a court of law. It also helps us to decide the best course of action.
Noise App
If you don’t feel safe approaching your neighbour, or you have tried speaking to your neighbour and the situation has not improved, download The Noise App. It’s a free app which will help you record the disturbances and submit it to us.
Find out more about The Noise App
Video evidence
If you have any video evidence of the issue you are reporting, you can email it to our team on customerservices@accentgroup.org.
Can I report behaviour that’s bothering me, but might not be anti-social behaviour?
Before you report ASB to us, please read this page carefully to take the best course of action. Some things that bother you might not be considered ASB.
Read on to find out the best way to deal with:
- misuse of communal area
- graffiti
- fly-tipping
- loitering or groups of congregating youths
- problems with another neighbour’s garden
- pets, including dogs barking and dog fouling
- vehicle issues including abandoned cars and obstructive parking
Once you’ve read this page and you believe your issue to still constitute ASB, we’d appreciate it if you could please report it via the form. This will help us take steps to improve your community.
How to deal with issues in your neighbourhood.
This section is for dealing with incidents that may or may not be considered ASB.
We don’t consider general living sounds (vacuuming, using doors, walking around, general conversation), or the sounds of children playing or babies to be ASB.
We only consider noise to be ASB if it's persistent or during the night. This includes DIY, loud music, dogs barking or shouting.
If you are concerned about the safety of one of your neighbours then you should contact the police immediately. If you have concerns about the welfare of a child, please contact social services safeguarding team or the NSPCC.
If children playing are causing damage, please let us know by using the form below.
How to resolve noise problems in your neighbourhood
1. Talk to your neighbour
It’s possible your neighbour doesn’t know their actions are causing you an issue, so try having a friendly chat with them.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you could try printing out and giving them one of our Dear Neighbour cards to let them know how you feel.
If this doesn’t resolve the issue, and the problem is persistent or takes place during the night, then you can move on to the following steps.
2. Noise App
If you don’t feel safe approaching your neighbour, or you have tried speaking to your neighbour and the situation has not improved, download The Noise App. It’s a free app which will help you record the disturbances and submit it to us.
3. Keep a diary of the noise
Download and fill in our diary sheets to record the dates and times of the noise.
This helps us understand the situation, how often it’s happening, and can be helpful if we need to involve the police to take action.
4. Speak to your local environmental health officer
You might want to report this to your local environmental health officer. Should they take enforcement action, we will use this as evidence against the perpetrator if appropriate
5. Request mediation services
Accent offers neighbours who are struggling to resolve an issue access to independent confidential mediation services. Mediation services could help you and your neighbour understand each other’s point of view and reach a solution.
Please ask and we will refer you.
Misuse of communal areas can be considered ASB and includes:
- storing things in communal areas
- smoking in communal areas
- loitering
Communal areas include stairs, corridors and landings. Take the following steps to begin resolving problems in your home’s communal areas.
1. Talk to your neighbour
It’s possible your neighbour doesn’t know their actions are causing you an issue, so try having a friendly chat with them. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you could try printing out and giving them one of our Dear Neighbour cards to let them know how you feel.
2. Get in touch with us
Tell us about the situation by filling in our form at the bottom of this page.
3. We’ll get in touch with your neighbour
We will make contact with the customer who is causing the issue and also inspect the area. Appropriate action will then be taken.
Why is storing things in communal areas considered to be a problem?
Communal areas are often escape routes, and obstructing or interfering with them can be dangerous. We regularly carry out fire risk assessments on communal areas, according to legal requirements.
Make sure you:
- don’t obstruct your communal areas, blocking potential escape routes
- don’t prop open fire doors in communal areas – they only work as intended if they are closed
- don’t clutter communal areas with personal items or things that could catch fire
- don’t store prams, bicycles or mobility scooters in communal areas
- don’t keep flammable materials in cupboards with electrical circuits
- don’t leave rubbish lying around, even in the refuse area – put it the bins provided
If you see anything in the communal areas that doesn’t belong there, please remove it, or let us know, and we’ll send one of our team to remove it.
Remember, we carry out regular inspections. If you’ve stored any items stored communal areas, they will be removed, and you’ll have to pay a charge for this removal.
Graffiti is a type of vandalism and is considered ASB, but it will need to be in one of your communal areas or the wider estate area for us to be able to take action.
1. Get in touch with us
Let us know about the graffiti via our form at the bottom of this page, telling us where it is and any more information you have. If you have a photo, please include that with your report.
2. Wait for us to review
We’ll review your report and let you know our next steps. If the graffiti you’ve reported is abusive or racist, we’ll arrange to remove it as an emergency.
If it’s not, we’ll put your report through as a standard repair request and it will be removed soon.
Graffiti that personally targets you or your family
Graffiti that personally targets you or your family is considered abuse, intimidation or harassment, and we will handle this differently.
What can I do about graffiti that’s not in an area owned by Accent?
If you’ve spotted graffiti outside of your estate or neighbourhood, you can contact your local authority about getting it removed.
As well as being potential misuse of communal areas, fly-tipping can also be a fire risk.
Here’s what you should do if someone’s fly-tipped in your neighbourhood.
1. Check with your neighbours
Double-check that the rubbish you’ve spotted is fly-tipping by chatting to your neighbours.
You can ask them if the rubbish is theirs and if they’ve already arranged for it to be picked up.
2. Report it to us
Tell us about the fly-tipping via our form at the bottom of this page.
If you have a photo, this can be very helpful in showing us where it is and what to expect, so please attach it to the form.
3. We’ll remove the items
Once we’ve got your report, we’ll arrange to remove the fly-tipped items.
What can I do about fly-tipping that’s not in an area owned by Accent?
Fly-tipping in your local area is an eyesore and a health hazard, so please report it to your local authority so they can organise having it removed.
Vandalism is another word for deliberate destruction or damage to public or private property. It can include breaking items in communal areas.
If you think the vandalism is of a criminal nature, which is when it’s deliberate damage to someone’s personal property like their home or car then you should report this to the police (101 in event of a non-emergency or 999 if it's an emergency). You must also let the police know if you’re concerned about your safety.
In an emergency, or if you actively witness someone vandalising someone’s personal property, always call 999.
1. If necessary, report it to the police
If someone’s personal property has been vandalised, call the police (101 in event of a non-emergency or 999 if it's an emergency) to report it. Make sure you write down your incident number and the police officer’s name.
2. Get in touch with us
Report the vandalism to us via the form on this page.
If you’re reporting criminal vandalism which affects someone else’s personal property, make sure you provide us with the incident number and police officer’s name. This helps us pick the case up with the police.
If a group of youths are regularly congregating close to your home and you’re concerned for your safety, report this to the police (101 in event of a non-emergency or 999 if it's an emergency).
1. Report it to the police
Speak to the police about the group you’re concerned about, and remember to note down the incident number and police officer’s name as you’ll need this later.
2. Tell us about youths congregating near your home
After speaking to the police, let us know about the group that’s bothering you by filling in the form on this page. Make sure to tell us your incident number and the police officer’s name, so we can pick this up with them if needed.
3. Keep a diary of dates and times
We’ll send you a diary sheet where you can keep notes of when the group is congregating, which helps us monitor the situation and if needed, work with the police to take necessary action.
4. We’ll keep you informed
We’ll work with the police if needed to decide an appropriate course of action, then let you know what we’ll be doing.
Heavily overgrown or rubbish-filled gardens are considered a nuisance, however this is not ASB, but can be managed though other tenancy conditions.
1. Talk to your neighbour
Your neighbour might not know that their garden is causing issues, so try having a chat with them to let them know.
If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to them, you could try printing out and leaving them one of our Dear Neighbour cards.
2. Let us know about a nuisance garden
Please let us know about the garden by filling in the form on this page.
3. We’ll inspect the garden
We will arrange for the garden to be inspected and appropriate action will be taken.
What can I do about overgrown, messy or fly-tipped gardens that aren’t owned by Accent?
If you’re concerned about a green space outside of Accent’s land like a park, get in touch with your local authority.
Any dog of any breed or size can be considered dangerous if it’s not kept under control and shows aggressive behaviour that makes someone fear for their safety. It doesn’t need to bite anyone.
1. Contact the police or local authority
If you are worried about a dog in your neighbourhood or estate, please contact the police (101 in event of a non-emergency or 999 if it's an emergency) right away, or get in touch with your local authority and ask to speak to their dog warden.
2. Let us know about the dangerous dog
You can report this ASB by using the form on this page.
1. Talk to your neighbour
Have a quick chat with the neighbours who own the dog, to let them know that they need to be picking up their dog’s mess.
If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to your neighbour, you could try printing off and leaving them one of our Dear Neighbour cards to let them know how you feel.
2. Let us know about dog fouling
You can report this ASB by using the form on this page.
3. We’ll arrange for the area to be cleaned
We will arrange for the area to be cleared of dog mess. If we know who the owner is, and we have evidence that shows they’re responsible, they’ll be asked to pay for the cleaning.
What can I do about dog fouling that’s not in an area owned by Accent?
If your neighbour’s not cleaning up after the dog in public areas like parks or on pavements, get in touch with your local authority. They’ll be able to get in touch with your neighbour and possibly issue a fine if you have proof.
We understand that dogs barking can be disruptive, but we can only take action on barking that is persistent and therefore considered to be ASB.
Customers who own pets need our written permission and also have to sign a statement saying they’ll look after their pets and not allow them to cause a nuisance.
If you feel that an animal is not being well looked after or abused, please consider reporting to the RSPCA as well as Accent.
1. Speak to the dog’s owners
Try having a chat with the neighbours who own the dog, as they might not know you’re able to hear the dog or that it’s disturbing you.
If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to your neighbour, you could print off and leave one of our Dear Neighbour cards to let them know it’s causing you issues.
2. Download The Noise App
If you don’t feel safe approaching your neighbour, or you have tried speaking to your neighbour and the situation has not improved, download The Noise App.
It’s a free app which will help you record the disturbances and submit it to us.
3. Keep a diary of the barking
We’ll ask you to complete diary sheets that record the dates and times of the barking.
This helps us understand the situation, how often it’s happening, and can be helpful if we need to involve the police to take action.
4. Speak to your local environmental health officer
You might want to report this to your local environmental health officer. Should they take enforcement action, we will use this as evidence against the perpetrator if appropriate.
5. Request mediation services
Accent offers neighbours who are struggling to resolve an issue access to independent confidential mediation services. Mediation services could help you and your neighbour understand each other’s point of view and reach a solution.
Please ask and we will refer you.
If you come across an abandoned vehicle on land owned by Accent and you think it may have been stolen, speak to the police (101 in event of a non-emergency or 999 if it's an emergency). Otherwise, follow the steps below.
1. Speak to your neighbours
Your neighbours might know who owns the abandoned vehicle.
2. Let us know about the abandoned vehicle
If your neighbours don’t know who the vehicle belongs to, report it to us using the form on this page. Make sure you’ve got the registration number and make of the vehicle.
3. We’ll speak to the DVLA or your local authority
We can check with the DVLA to find out if the vehicle is registered to anyone, and if so, we can get in touch with them. If there isn’t, we’ll work with the local authority to get the vehicle removed.
What can I do about an abandoned vehicle that’s not in an area owned by Accent?
If you spot an abandoned vehicle outside of land owned by Accent, and you believe it’s been stolen, you should call the police to report it on 101. Otherwise, get in touch with your local authority who will take steps to have it removed.
If you are being disturbed by a neighbour carrying out repairs, then the first step would always be to chat to them – they might not even realise how loud they’re being, or that the noise is disruptive.
If this doesn’t resolve the issue, then go to the noise nuisance section.
Public highways
If it is on a public highway, your Local Authority can investigate under the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005.
Road traffic offences
If you think someone’s carrying out road traffic offences like speeding or dangerous driving, report these incidents and circumstances to your local police (101 in event of a non-emergency or 999 if it's an emergency).
Obstructive parking is when someone’s parked their vehicle somewhere that means you can’t go in or out of your home, or get out of your allocated parking space.
If the obstructive vehicle needs to be moved urgently and is on Accent land, report it to us and we’ll try our best to sort it. If it’s not on our land, call the police on 101.
1. Talk to your neighbours
If you think one of your neighbours may have parked their vehicle obstructively, try having a friendly chat with them. They might not know that where they’ve parked has caused a problem.
If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to your neighbour, you could download and print off one of our 'Dear Neighbour' cards which you can leave on their vehicle to let them know it’s causing you issues.
2. Tell your local authority
If the problem hasn’t been resolved, and the vehicle is parked on a public verge or highway, you can speak to your local authority. If they find the vehicle is parked in a way that’s against local parking rules, they could issue a penalty charge notice.
What is an ASB case review?
An anti-social case review is for anyone who has reported ASB but doesn’t feel anyone is listening or doesn’t see anything getting done about it.
If you’ve reported an incident three or more times in six months, you can activate the community trigger – also known as ASB Case Review – through your local council. This has been designed to victims the right to demand that agencies deal with persistent anti-social behaviour.
There will be a multi-agency case review which can involve several organisations, like the police, your council, Accent or other housing associations and the NHS.
The community trigger process tries to ultimately fix the problem and stop the anti-social behaviour.
