The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) says proposed legislative changes - announced by the Home Office - will help landlords tackle anti social behaviour more effectively.

Plans to streamline existing ASB powers will support landlords and partner agencies in managing unacceptable behaviour within communities, thereby reducing costs and time spent waiting for court hearings.

Most relevant to social landlords is the introduction of the Crime Prevention Injunction (CPI), which replaces the Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO).

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Gavin Smart, director of policy and practice at CIH, said: "The changes put forward are very significant and will drastically alter the number of tools landlords have at their disposal to address anti social behaviour.

"Social landlords play a vital role in tackling ASB in our communities and the mandatory possession reform reflects the cultural shift that has taken place over the last two years towards finding victim-centred solutions. Today’s proposals offer landlords an alternative route to possession, which will reduce the burden on victims to give evidence in different court cases and avoid waiting months – sometimes years until the perpetrator is evicted."

(CD/GK)