Landlords to Be Given New Powers to Evict 'Neighbours from Hell'

A mandatory power of repossession is proposed by the government to make it easier to evict troublesome tenants from social housing. Grant Shapps, the housing minister, says the new power will allow authorities to take into account previous convictions for anti-social behaviour. Shapps, who argues that the process for tackling "neighbours from hell" takes too long, proposed a series of "trigger offences" that can be taken into account if a tenant behaves in a persistently anti-social manner. They are:
• A conviction for a serious offence related to housing, including violence against neighbours, drug dealing and criminal damage.
• Breach of an injunction for anti-social behaviour obtained by a landlord.
• Closing of a premises under a closure order. This could be where a property has been used for drug dealing.
Shapps says: "All too often, efforts to tackle neighbours from hell take far too long, and it seems the needs and rights of the victims play second fiddle to those of the perpetrators. Read more on The Guardian website.