What happens next?

1. Speak to the person responsible

At first, we will usually ask you to make a friendly approach to the neighbour causing the antisocial behaviour. This is often the simplest way to sort out issues and can stop things getting worse. They may not realise that they are causing you problems, and may change their behaviour. If you have suffered violent behaviour or harassment from your neighbour, or if you feel threatened by them in any way, do not try to sort things out yourself. In these circumstances, please contact us or the police.

2. Mediation

If you have spoken to your neighbour and the situation has not improved, we can refer you and your neighbour to an independent mediation service. Mediation helps both parties to find out their needs, explain the issues, and look at possible solutions. Find out more about mediation.

3. Legal action

If mediation does not work and the behaviour continues, we will consider legal action and enforcing the tenancy or lease agreement. We cannot take legal action without your help and support. This will involve your keeping a written record of incidents, or using a small tape recorder to describe the incident, and making a note of all dates and times to use as evidence. Please ask us for a copy of our incident diary book to record the antisocial behaviour or download one from the main Antisocial behaviour page.

If the case goes to court, we will support you through this, making sure that you feel comfortable and safe. Please see our 'Giving evidence in court' page for more information about what to expect if you have to go to court.

If you have been threatened with or have suffered from actual physical violence, or you are at risk of a serious physical, psychological or emotional harm, we can ask our solicitors to get an injunction against the person causing the antisocial behaviour. This may include an application to the court to evict them from a certain area or a 'power of arrest', which means they can be arrested immediately if they break the agreement they have with the court. In these circumstances, we can get this type of injunction without warning the person causing the antisocial behaviour, so it offers immediate protection to the victim.

What can you do to make me feel more secure?

Where individual homes and residents have been the victim of crime and antisocial behaviour, we may consider installing extra security measures. These include:

• fitting extra locks
• 'property marking' - this is where we mark or etch your personal property with your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters of your house name, so it can be returned to you if it is found
• fitting fireproof letterboxes
• fitting panic alarms
• installing 'safe' rooms
• fitting security lighting.

These actions will often be carried out in partnership with the local Police's Crime Reduction Unit.