What is ASB?
- Hate-related incidents (such as those based on race, sexual orientation, gender, disability or belief)
- Verbal abuse, harassment, intimidation, or threatening behaviour
- Noise nuisance which is ongoing or persistent noise at any time of the day or night
- Vandalism and damage to properties, including graffiti
- Incorrect storing of refuse and other rubbish, including fly-tipping
- Criminal behaviour e.g. drug misuse, drug dealing, violence or threats of violence, prostitution or any other sexual acts
- Pets being allowed to foul in public spaces
What is not ASB?
- Noise Nuisance e.g. footsteps in a neighbouring property, children playing, occasional dog barks, the noise of household appliances, or music or TV noise at a low level, babies crying or general living/household noises
- Cooking smells or DIY during reasonable hours
- Young people gathering socially or children playing
- Misuse of communal areas, public areas, or loitering
- Clashes of lifestyle, including cultural differences
- One-off parties such as BBQs or birthday parties provided they do not cause an unacceptable disturbance
- Family disputes
- Civil disputes between neighbours (such as boundary issues or shared driveways)
How to Report ASB
If you are made to feel uncomfortable in your home by other people, we would first advise you to try and approach those people to explain to them how they are making you feel (only do this if you feel it is safe to do so). In many instances, the other party will be unaware of how their actions are aggravating you and will hopefully change their behaviour to stop any further nuisance.
If you are unable to speak with these people or the behaviour does not change after speaking with them, and you feel threatened, intimidated, are victim of a crime or have witnessed a criminal offence, you should always contact the police as a first point of contact (999 for an emergency and 101 for non-emergencies). For reports of ASB that are not of a criminal nature or once an incident has been reported to the police you should contact Merthyr Housing by using our main number (01685 352800) and choosing option 3 for Housing, emailing MTHA@mtha.org.uk or you can use our enquiry form on our website(www.mtha.org.uk/contact-us/).
One of our ASB officers will be given your case and will work on an action plan with you, (suitable to your individual circumstances) to try and stop any further nuisance.
We would ask you to keep a diary log of the incidents occurring including date, time, scenario, if you have a smart device we would advise you to download and use ‘The Noise App’ to record incidents of noise nuisance and to share any CCTV footage with Merthyr Housing that may have captured the incident in question. You can download the Noise App from our website.
What CAN Merthyr Housing do to tackle antisocial behaviour?
- Speak with all parties involved to try and resolve the issues.
- Issue warnings. Acceptable behaviour agreements.
- Good neighbour agreements.
- Communicate with the police to inform them of behaviour that could be considered criminal and to request additional support where needed.
- Communicate with environmental health where appropriate.
- Offer a personal approach to work with all parties to build, maintain and repair relationships.
- Install monitoring equipment if suitable and available in the form of noise recording equipment and CCTV.
- Refer involved parties for support where required.
If the above approaches have been unsuccessful and the issue is ongoing, Merthyr Housing can use legal solutions such as civil injunctions and possession proceedings to deal with the issues – these only occur in very extreme circumstances and may not be suitable in every case.
