What Actions we have taken
Swan gets tough on Anti-Social Behaviour
Swan takes all complaints of anti-social behaviour very seriously. Most residents want to live in peace and quiet.
Swan will take action against those responsible for causing problems to other residents, Swan employees or our contractors.
Our Neighbourhood Teams have been working hard over the past year to help resolve issues of Anti-Social Behaviour in their areas. Below are some of the outcomes of their investigations and actions we have taken against resident who have caused or been involved with Anti-social behaviour.
Injunctions with Power of Arrest
Swan obtained two Injunctions with the power of arrest from Basildon County Court in February. These injunctions were against a Swan tenant and their visitor, who had caused a noise nuisance and then threatened their neighbours. These injunctions are in force for 1 year and the tenant cannot cause a nuisance to the neighbours, contact their neighbour for any reason and not use any swearing or abusive language in the property so that it can he heard from outside the property. The injunction against the visitor means that they cannot visit the property anymore, cause a nuisance to neighbours or contact any neighbours. If the tenant or the visitors breaches any of these then they can be arrested and will have to appear in court the next day.
Starter Tenancies
All residents who have their first property with Swan are on starter tenancies for 12 months. This is to ensure that for the first 12 months the tenant manages their tenancy correctly. If they do not manage their starter tenancy correctly and cause a nuisance, Swan will take further action. We have recently taken action against 5 tenants who were on starter tenancies and causing anti-social behaviour. The anti-social behaviour included, noise nuisance, threatening behaviour and drug use. We have obtained possession of all of the properties we have taken action against.
Possession Orders & Suspended Possession Orders
When Swan wants to evict a resident due to anti-social behaviour, it needs to apply to the local County Court for a possession order. These cases are heard in front of a Judge. In some cases a suspended possession order is granted. These are possession orders that are suspended on condition that the tenant does not do certain things, for example, not to play loud music. Swan has taken a number of residents to court for causing anti-social behaviour and we have obtained 2 suspended possession orders. If the tenants cause further nuisance then Swan will apply to court for the tenants to be evicted.
Cannabis Cultivation
Swan works very closely with the local Police, who inform Swan if any of our tenants have been caught growing cannabis in their property or if our tenants are involved in more serious drug use. Recently we have noticed an increase in the number of tenants being caught growing cannabis in their properties. Swan takes this matter very seriously and will take legal action against any tenant found to be growing or using drugs. Swan has already taken legal action against four tenants for involvement with drugs and growing cannabis in their properties.
Swan would strongly advise all our tenants that if they do not want to risk being evicted from their home then they should not have any involvement with drugs in their property and should not grow cannabis anywhere on the property. If you suspect drug use or cultivation at a property please inform the Police and contact your Neighbourhood Officer.
The Police can be contacted on the following non-emergency number:
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Essex Police 0300 333 4444
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Metropolitan (London) Police 0300 123 1212