Council To Consider Tougher Powers Against Anti-Social Tenants

Wrexham Council is set to consider whether to take tougher action against anti-social tenants under new Welsh Government legislation.

A Welsh Government report said that it will introduce a new mandatory ground for possession, giving landlords the power to evict tenants if found guilty of serious housing-related anti-social behaviour in court.

It states that eviction for anti-social behaviour should remain exceptional, however the move would give greater powers to landlords and local authorities.

The powers would come into play in an instance “where a tenant has been guilty of conduct causing or likely to cause a nuisance or annoyance to a person residing, visiting or otherwise engaging in a lawful activity in the locality.”

Other instances include where a resident has been convicted of allowing their property to be used for immoral or illegal purposes, or an indictable offence committed in, or in the locality of, the property.

In 2011 Wrexham Council evicted two tenants on anti-social behaviour grounds, in December one tenant was evicted for begging, anti social behaviour and intimidation.

Housemark has calculated that the cost of anti social behaviour per landlord operated property lies somewhere between £36.04 and £74.43

The local authority’s Social Affairs, Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee will meet on Wednesday to discuss whether to back the proposals.

To view the agenda for the meeting visit https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/MinutesData/SocAffairs/sa08022012a.htm or you can read the WAG report here http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/consultation/111118housingantisocialen.pdf