What is Antisocial Behaviour
Antisocial behaviour is when a person causes or permits a nuisance and interferes with the reasonable peace, comfort or privacy of neighbours.
Antisocial behaviour is when someone causes a nuisance or allows one to occur and interferes with the reasonable peace, comfort or privacy of neighbours.
At Believe Housing Australia, we believe that you, the tenant, have the right to live in peace and comfort and enjoy being in your home. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination by any of our tenants towards any individual or group—and this includes verbal, physical or any other form of harassment, discrimination or threatening behaviour related to racial, religious, cultural or personal differences. You are expected to follow the conditions of your tenancy agreement, including being responsible for your conduct and the behaviour of other occupants or visitors to your property.
What are the different types of antisocial behaviour?
Examples of antisocial behaviour include:
- loud and ongoing noise
- pets being a nuisance
- loud and unruly behaviour
- verbal abuse
- vandalism
- illegal activity
- serious harassment
- threats to the health and safety of a person
- physical assaults and acts of violence
How do I report antisocial behaviour?
If you think there’s some illegal activity going on, you should report it to the police. If it’s an emergency, call 000. Otherwise, you can contact the police on 131 444 to report an incident and, once you have a ‘report number’, please let us know.
If you need to report other antisocial behaviour, contact Believe Housing Australia to talk about what you are experiencing. It helps if you keep a record of when the antisocial behaviour started and what is happening.
This information will help us to decide what steps we can take to resolve the issue. We treat all information confidentially and will not share your identity with other tenants, unless we need to do so by law, or we have your permission to do so.
Responding to antisocial behaviour:
Local Resolution
What does it involve?
Believe Housing Australia (BHA) meets informally with those who have reported the antisocial behaviour to discuss how they may try to resolve the conflict themselves.
When is it used?
When the antisocial behaviour is minor and direct communication between the disputing parties is usually enough to resolve the issue.
Negotiation
What does it involve?
BHA meets informally with the tenant/s allegedly responsible for the antisocial behaviour to notify them that a report has been received about their behaviour, explain the impact of the behaviour, and discuss how it can be resolved.
When is it used?
When the antisocial behaviour is minor and can be resolved without needing more formal action.
Mediation
What does it involve?
A way of resolving conflict and disputes where a trained and independent person helps those involved in the dispute to find a solution. It is only an option if those involved are prepared to take part in the mediation process.
When is it used?
When all parties involved agree to mediation, BHA will refer the dispute to Mediation SA to access their free mediation services.
Breach of Tenancy Letter
What does it involve?
A letter to the tenant/s allegedly responsible for the antisocial behaviour to advise them that they have breached their Residential Tenancy Agreement.
The letter explains what the breach is and is a formal warning that BHA may take action against the tenant/s if the antisocial behaviour continues.
When is it used?
In cases of serious and repeated antisocial behaviour. It is used when local resolution, negotiation and/or mediation have been unable to resolve the matter.
Termination of Tenancy Form 2
What does it involve?
A notice lodged with the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) directing the tenant/s to stop engaging in antisocial behaviour.
When is it used?
Where there is a serious and repeated breach of the Residential Tenancy Agreement that has not been resolved through other actions.
Termination and Possession Order
What does it involve?
An application to SACAT seeking a formal order to end the tenancy because the tenant/s have broken the conditions of the Specific Performance Orders (SPO). A Termination Order from SACAT may result in the tenant being evicted from the premises by a Bailiff.
When is it used?
When there is a breach of the SPO. Applying for a Termination Order can take a long time and should only be considered when there is a large amount of evidence to present to SACAT. A Termination Order is BHA’s last resort and only used when all other actions have failed.
