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What is Neighbour Nuisance and ASB?

The definition of ASB which is used in Section 2 of the Antisocial Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 : Which states Antisocial behaviour means –

(a) Conduct that has caused or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to any person.

(b) Conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to a person in relation to that person’s occupation of residential premises, or

(c) Conduct capable of causing housing-related nuisance or annoyance to any person.

Some examples of behaviour that would be treated as ASB include but are not limited to:

  • Intimidation and harassment
  • The fouling of public areas, graffiti, fly tipping and nuisance vehicles
  • Actual violence against people or property
  • Hate behaviour that targets members of identified groups because of their perceived difference e.g. racial harassment.
  • Using or threatening to use housing accommodation to manufacture, supply or sell drugs, or for other unlawful purposes.
  • Excessive noise nuisance.

Below are examples of issues which may upset or disturb people and which are unlikely to be dealt with as ASB are:

  • Babies crying
  • Children playing (including balls games-  unless they are being played in a communal area and causing a nuisance) 
  • Cooking smells
  • Doors and drawers being shut
  • Dishwashers, hoovers, tumble dryers, washing machines and or other household appliances; Dropping of objects/moving of furniture
  • General talking
  • Heavy footfalls (people walking on floors or upstairs)
  • Flushing toilets and running water
  • Lights switches being turned on and off
  • Loud talking or laughing
  • One-off or isolated incidents e.g. a party or an argument or altercation
  • People carrying out DIY jobs at reasonable hours of the day
  • Families arguing and shouting between themselves (unless you suspect there is domestic abuse taking place in which case this should be reported to the police) 
  • Sexual noises
  • Shift workers leaving home
  • Slamming doors
  • Toilet flushes
  • Where there is no breach in the tenancy ie: people staring or being inconsiderate.
  • Noise transference due to poor sound insulation.

This list may, from time to time include other low level nuisance issues.

Please see our Antisocial Behaviour Policy.