The government is investigating a new way to tackle renters’ anti-social behaviour in the social housing sector – through a new advisory group.

Housing Minister Eddie Hughes has announced a new panel of experts to advise on the best approach for dealing with anti-social behaviour from tenants, particularly those who suffer from mental health issues, or drug and alcohol dependency.

The panel will bring together organisations from across the sector to identify how landlords and local support services work together and provide early intervention for vulnerable perpetrators – helping to reduce the 1.5m incidents annually of anti-social behaviour recorded and cut re-offending.

Hughes – a Boris Johnson supporter who was the sole minister at the housing department to keep his job during the recent reshuffle – says: “No one should have to live in fear of anti-social behaviour and putting a stop to this is vital to our mission to level up the country. We committed to protecting tenants from anti-social behaviour, as set out in the Charter for Social Housing Residents.

“That’s why I’m pleased to welcome members of our new panel whose expertise will help inform landlords and other services how to deliver positive change for their tenants, alongside our new reforms to improve social housing standards.”

A government statement claims that the panel builds on existing support available for social housing tenants who experience anti-social behaviour. 

This includes a ‘one stop shop’ where tenants can access for information and report an incident to ensure perpetrators are dealt with quickly and effectively.

The government has also introduced a Community Trigger that gives victims the right to request a rapid, multi-agency review of their case and brings organisations together to find a joined-up solution. 

The new Anti-Social Behaviour Panel aims to publish its good practice guidelines for social housing landlords and the wider sector on tackling anti-social behaviour by vulnerable perpetrators, this coming autumn.

The panel consists of officials from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Home Office, housing associations and support organisations.