Tenancy Agreement

This is what your tenancy agreement says about antisocial behaviour.

You will see that not only is a tenant responsible for their own behaviour, but for the actions of anyone living with them or visiting them . . .

4. COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITIES

Everyone has the right to enjoy life in their own way providing they don't upset people living near them. The city council will help people solve their problems peacefully but we will take action quickly when this fails and in cases of harassment or victimisation.

Tenant's Responsibilities

4.1 You are responsible for the behaviour of every person (including children) living in or visiting your home. You are responsible in your home, on surrounding land, in communal areas (stairs, lifts, landings, entrance halls, paving, shared gardens, parking areas) and in the locality around your home.

4.2 You (or anyone living with you, or visiting your home) must not cause a nuisance, annoyance or disturbance to any other person. Examples of nuisance, annoyance or disturbance include:

  • loud music; arguing and door slamming; dog barking and fouling; offensive drunkenness; selling drugs or drug abuse; rubbish dumping; playing ball games close to someone else's home.

4.3 You (or anyone living with you, or visiting your home) must not harass any other person. Examples of harassment include:

  • racist behaviour or language; using or threatening to use violence; using abusive or insulting words or behaviour; damaging or threatening to damage another person's home or possessions; writing threatening, abusive or insulting graffiti; doing anything that interferes with the peace, comfort or convenience of others.

4.4 You (or anyone living with you, or visiting your home) must not make false or malicious complaints about the behaviour of any other person.

4.5 You (or anyone living with you, or visiting your home) must not use your home or any communal area for any illegal activity such as selling drugs.

4.6 You (or anyone living with you, or visiting your home) must not damage, deface or put graffiti on city council property. You would have to pay for any repair or replacement. The costs may be charged on top of your rent.

4.7 You (or anyone living with you, or visiting your home) must not interfere with security and safety equipment in communal blocks -doors should not be jammed open and strangers should not be let in without identification. You must co-operate with security staff.

4.8 You (or anyone living with you, or visiting your home) must not break any of the city council's bye laws. You can ask to see the bye laws at a public library.


4.9 You must not inflict domestic violence, threaten violence or use mental, emotional or sexual abuse against your partner, ex-partner or another member of your family or household.

4.10 You (or anyone living with you) must not keep a dog if:

  • you live in a multi storey block*; or
  • your home shares a common entrance and there is a 'no dog' agreement between the tenants and the local housing office. To find out whether your home is part of a 'no dog' agreement, or how to set up an agreement, phone Northwards on 03000 123 123.

* People whose tenancy began before October 1990 can keep a dog they had before that date, but cannot get another one.

4.11 You (or anyone living with you) must not keep any animal that the city council decides is unsuitable for your home or garden. If you are in any doubt at all phone Northwards on 03000 123 123. Your pet or pets must not annoy or frighten other people.

4.12 You must co-operate with the city council and your neighbours to keep any communal areas clean, tidy and clear of obstruction.

4.13 You (or anyone living with you) must not run a business from your home without the city council's agreement in writing. We will not normally refuse permission unless the business would cause a nuisance or might damage the property.

4.14 You (or anyone living with you, or visiting your home) must not park a vehicle anywhere on your property except on 'hardstanding' (a driveway or paved area intended for parking). Caravans or motor homes must not be parked on the garden, driveway, paved area around your home or on any communal parking areas without the city council's agreement in writing. You (or anyone living with you, or visiting your home) must not park anywhere that would obstruct emergency services.

4.15 If your property has a designated resident's parking space, only you and your legitimate visitors must park there. You must not give or sell the parking place to anyone else.

4.16 You (or anyone living with you, or visiting your home) must not do major car repairs or park an illegal or unroadworthy vehicle on the land around your home or on the road.

4.17 You (or anyone living with you) must not put up structures such as sheds, garages or pigeon lofts anywhere on your property without the agreement of Northwards Housing in writing.

4.18 You must make sure your garden is tidy. Lawns must be cut and hedges trimmed. If the garden is overgrown-and there is no good reason why you can't do it-the city council can clear it and charge you for the work. We might be able to help you if you are elderly or disabled - phone Northwards on 03000 123 123 for more information.

4.19 You (or anyone living with you, or visiting your home) must not keep or use bottled gas, paraffin, petrol or any other dangerous material in your home or in communal areas.

Responsibilities of Northwards Housing
We must give you, and anyone living with you, help and advice if you report antisocial behaviour. We will investigate your complaints, keep you informed and take appropriate action to tackle the problem.

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