The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) has broadly welcomed the package of measures announced yesterday by the Housing Minister Grant Shapps to support landlords to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The announcement included measures to increase flexibilities for housing associations to extend introductory tenancies, the introduction of a mandatory ground for possession in circumstances where serious housing related anti-social behaviour (ASB) has already been proved by a court, intentions to speed up the processing of ASB cases by courts according to the level of harm being experienced.

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Taken as a whole the measures will help speed up court processes, offer consistency across the sector and protect vulnerable people.

In addition, the continued investment in the national Anti-social Behaviour Housing Action Team based within CIH is welcome. Over the last 12 months CIH’s national ASB team has been very well received within the sector, working directly with over one hundred social landlords to deliver improvements in anti-social behaviour services delivered to tenants and communities.

Sarah Webb, CIH Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to see this new investment for the national team, with a renewed emphasis on working with landlords, and existing and emerging tenants’ panels to strengthen capacity and empower communities to challenge anti-social behaviour within their neighbourhoods.”

(GK)