We believe that everybody has a right to enjoy the peace and quiet of their home, free from serious disturbance and intimidation. We will not tolerate antisocial behaviour by a tenant against their neighbours, and will enforce our tenancy agreement if a tenant fails to stop.
We will note and investigate all reports about our tenants and, where necessary, take action to resolve the problems. We work closely with the police to reduce crime and nuisance in the neighbourhoods where we work and encourage residents to report criminal activity to us and the police. We can then work together to deal effectively with problems.
Taking legal action against neighbours who are not our tenants is more difficult. If you are suffering nuisance or harassment from such a person, we will give you whatever help we can.
Our leaflet explains in more detail our policy on tackling antisocial behaviour and gives you advice. You can download it here.
What you can do about antisocial behaviour
1. Tolerance and common sense
Talking with your neighbour and discussing the problem face to face is often the most successful way of resolving disputes and misunderstanding. We actively encourage tolerance and commonsense solutions to problems with neighbours.
If you feel uneasy about speaking to your neighbour, or if the relationship has broken down altogether, we can offer you the specialist services of a professional mediator. Your Customer Support Officer or Case Management Officer can put you and your neighbour in touch with expert advisors who can help find a solution you are both happy with. This mediation service is free to all Harvest tenants.
2. Discuss it with your neighbour
In most situations, the first thing to do is discuss the problem with your neighbour. Explain what is upsetting you and your family. Try to resolve disputes with your neighbour as early as you can so they don’t get worse. However, if you are fearful of how your neighbour may respond, or if you have suffered more serious incidents of abuse or threatening behaviour, then it is best to contact Harvest Response first so we can help you.
3. Let us know
If you have tried to reason with your neighbour but have failed, please get in touch with Harvest Response by phone or in writing. You do not have to tell us who you are at this stage, but if you can tell us the names of all the people involved it may help us resolve the issue quicker.