All tenants have a statutory right to the peaceful enjoyment of their home. It is therefore important for all tenants to consider how their behaviour may affect others. When a person’s behaviour unreasonably interferes with another’s right to peaceful enjoyment of their home, or adversely affects the whole community’s quality of life, such behaviour will be classified as anti-social.

The Association’s policy on neighbour nuisance covers nuisance, anti-social behaviour and harassment. Nuisance and anti-social behaviour disrupts the lives of many people and brings misery and despair. The types of nuisance can vary considerably but the most common forms include :

• Noise nuisance
• Criminal Behaviour
• Damage to property
• Problems with pets
• Abandoned cars and vehicles
• Illegal dumping
• Overgrown gardens
• Abuse of communal spaces
• Boundary Disputes
• Dealing/using illegal drugs

There is no single approach to tackling problems of nuisance and the task of dealing with such complaints is one where the police, environmental health, Ark Housing and residents have a role to play.

If you are affected by any form of nuisance, you should, where possible, approach the person concerned and explain why their behaviour is upsetting to you. If your own attempt to resolve the issue has failed, you can make a formal complaint to the Association in writing and by completing a Nuisance Complaint Form. The Association will take the necessary steps to resolve the problem and may involve outside agencies where necessary. You may also choose to involve outside agencies.

Although the Association will take all the necessary steps to resolve the situation, we will require your co-operation and assistance. Without such assistance, Ark Housing or outside agencies who are attempting to resolve the problem on your behalf may not be able to proceed with the appropriate action.