Warning on the consequences of anti-social behaviour
Maidstone Housing Trust and Kent Police have been working together to combat anti-social behaviour in the Maidstone area.
In the past two months three Maidstone Housing Trust tenants have been evicted from their homes following complaints of anti-social behaviour. A woman in Senacre was evicted after her household had caused major disturbances to the surrounding neighbours caused by late night noise and rowdiness. Another woman in Union Street was also evicted following complaints of drunken and rowdy behaviour which caused serious disturbance to residents living nearby.
The third tenant, from Waterloo Street, was subject to an emergency anti-social behaviour injunction after threats were made to neighbours and the gas twice being left on at the property causing significant risk to other residents. After, the terms of the injunction were breached the tenant was imprisoned by the courts for three months. Due to the continuing problems an Outright Order for possession was granted which resulted in the tenant’s eviction.
Maidstone Housing Trust Community Safety Manager Lisa Smith said “We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and we work with victims and our partners to gather evidence to take action. In all these cases we took a number of steps to help resolve issues. However as a last resort we will evict people who constantly cause problems.”
Chief Inspector Ian Hall said "Any reports of anti-social behaviour are taken extremely seriously. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that people's quality of life is not adversely affected by those who choose to act in anti-social manner and we will take action against those who do act irresponsibly at the earliest possible stage and in the most appropriate and effective way using the full range of powers available."
If a tenant is evicted from a Maidstone Housing Trust property for anti-social behaviour they could be deemed as intentionally homeless meaning Maidstone Borough Council would have no obligation to re-house them.
date published: 04/01/2007