Property professionals are often on the front line of ASB issues, which in the private rented sector can range from excessive noise and littering to drug misuse and intimidation. Propertymark has highlighted the inconsistency in support across local authority areas, with some Community Safety Partnerships lacking the resources or understanding to act effectively, leaving landlords and agents unsupported.
We recommend that all local authorities adopt a clear Anti-Social Behaviour Policy, like that of Sandwell Council, which encourages joint working between landlords, tenants and the council. We also stress that prevention is key—such as youth diversion programmes, landlord and tenant education, and mediation services.
Orders and injunctions to tackle anti-social behaviour
Propertymark welcomes the strengthened powers proposed in the Bill to tackle ASB, including the introduction of Respect Orders, which will give the police the power to immediately arrest persistent offenders who breach the order, helping to prevent ongoing disruption in local communities.
For housing-related cases, respect orders and housing injunctions will be linked, so that a court can decide which one is most appropriate for each situation. Both Respect Orders and housing injunctions ban the individual from repeating the specific anti-social behaviour.
Courts need greater capacity
Letting agents and landlords often face challenges when trying to deal with anti-social behaviour, from gathering evidence to engaging with overstretched local services. We highlighted concerns about the lengthy court delays when pursuing possession through ASB grounds. Cases that once took weeks can now take months, which is likely to worsen once Section 21 is abolished and all evictions must go through the courts.
We continue to push for better court resourcing and faster case processing to ensure landlords and agents can take meaningful action when ASB occurs.
Safeguarding tenants
The Bill also includes measures to tackle exploitation through cuckooing, where criminals take over a vulnerable person’s home, and county lines drug activity. Propertymark supports the use of Community Protection Notices to address these issues and believes property agents are well-placed to help identify and protect at-risk tenants.
We urge members to stay alert to signs such as sudden changes in tenant behaviour, distress or financial hardship, and to build strong relationships with local safeguarding teams and support services. We provide our members with training and guidance to help them navigate these risks.
Calling for action on 'sex for rent'
Propertymark has also called on the UK Government to address the exploitative practice of ‘sex for rent’, which remains largely unchallenged in current legislation. We believe perpetrators should face criminal prosecution and be permanently banned from operating in the private rented sector.
We’ve previously submitted evidence to the Home Office urging tougher enforcement, and while some progress has been made under the Online Safety Act 2023, we believe the Crime and Policing Bill presents a key opportunity to go further. This includes giving local authorities more power and resources to investigate and providing agents and responsible landlords with a formal role in reporting and supporting cases.
