Anti Social Behaviour
Q. What is not anti-social behaviour ?
Q. What should I do if I experience anti-social behaviour?
Q. I’ve talked to my neighbour but nothing has changed. What should I do?
Q. What will Dunedin Canmore do?
Q. Who else can help with anti-social behaviour?
As a member of the community you should have the right to feel safe and enjoy peace and quiet in your home.
Dunedin Canmore is committed to the principal that everyone has the right to enjoy their home and that no-one has the right to ruin that enjoyment for others.
Q. What is anti-social behaviour ?
The Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 states that:
A person engages in antisocial behaviour if they act in a manner that causes or is likely to cause alarm or distress or pursues a course of conduct that causes or is likely to cause alarm or distress to at least one person not of the same household as them.
The term ‘Anti-Social Behaviour’ covers a wide range of acts some more serious than others, for example:
• domestic noise
• amplified noise/noisy parties
• dumping litter and rubbish
• abandoned vehicles
• vandalism and graffiti
• verbal abuse
• threatening or violent behaviour
• drinking in a public place
• criminal behaviour such as drug dealing
Q. What is not anti-social behaviour ? (top)
There are a number of key considerations when determining what doesn’t count as antisocial behaviour:
• Behaviour regarded as acceptable by some can be seen as antisocial and completely unacceptable to others.
• Expectations of standards of behaviour can vary between communities, groups within communities and individuals.
When dealing with complaints, we must always consider what the Tenancy Agreement says.
Some problems simply result from differences in the way that people live their lives. Examples are:
• Children playing
• A neighbour using a washing machine early in the evening
• The sound of your neighbour walking across the floor in the flat above you
Q. What should I do if I experience anti-social behaviour? (top)
It is best to speak with your neighbour to let them know how their behaviour is affecting you. They may not be aware that it is a problem. Even if you are sure that they are aware, it is better to give them the chance to do something about it before taking it further.
Q. I’ve talked to my neighbour but nothing has changed. What should I do? (top)
Contact your Housing Officer who will investigate the matter further.
Keep a note of the date and time of any incidents. Your Housing Officer will provide Diary Sheets.
Report any incidents of criminal activity to the Police.
Q. What will Dunedin Canmore do? (top)
If the person causing the problem is our tenant or sharing owner we will speak to them to get their side of the story. We will remind them of the agreement they have signed and may issue a warning about their behaviour.
In some cases we will find that the person is not breaking their agreement with us but that their behaviour is still causing upset and concern to neighbours. In these cases we may refer to a mediation service.
In cases of serious anti-social behaviour if a tenant ignores a complaint and does not listen to our warnings we may have to consider legal action. We will need you, and preferably some other witnesses, to stand up in Court and give evidence on our behalf.
Q. Who else can help with anti-social behaviour? (top)
Effective solutions to antisocial behaviour problems are not the responsibility of a single organisation. Individuals, council services, landlords, victims and witnesses, the police, schools, businesses and many other individuals and groups have a role to play and help tackle antisocial behaviour.
Dunedin Canmore works closely with the Police, local councils and other agencies to deal with anti-social behaviour.
Every Council must have a strategy for dealing with anti-social behaviour in their area. To get more information on tackling anti-social behaviour in your area click on the link below.