Seven of 6,000 ‘bad neighbours’ get Asbos

TEN of Scotland’s largest housing associations used just seven antisocial behaviour orders to tackle problem tenants last year, despite fielding thousands of complaints over the issue from concerned residents, The Scotsman can reveal.

A survey of some of the nation’s biggest social landlords reveals that while antisocial behaviour is rife, few associations seek legal remedies for the problem. An analysis of annual statistical returns from ten major associations shows they received 5,895 complaints in the year to March 2012, yet were granted just seven Asbos.

Last night, the Scottish Conservatives described the disparity as “deeply worrying” and accused registered social landlords of failing to address behaviour that makes life a “misery” for communities across the country.

The revelation of the rare use of Asbos follow the case of the O’Neill family from Innerleithen, who suffered a four-year campaign of harassment by a Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) tenant convicted of threatening them two years previously. The association apologised to the family on Thursday and confirmed the “departure” of the individual.

However, across the country there is still very little use of Asbos. Glasgow Housing Association, one of the largest social landlords in Europe, received 1,758 complaints over the period, but was granted five of the eight Asbos it applied for.

Another major association, Link, which works across 28 local authorities, received 880 complaints, but did not apply for a single Asbo.

Tory housing spokesman Alex Johnstone said: “The level of complaints about antisocial behaviour in comparison to the number of Asbos issued is deeply worrying.

“I appreciate that complaints may be resolved before more severe sanctions are used, but these figures give the strong impression that housing associations are reticent to address the kind of behaviour from a minority of tenants that make their neighbours lives a misery.”

Andy Young, of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said: “Eviction is an absolute last resort measure. Therefore, it is not surprising to see that Scotland’s social landlords are evicting only a small proportion of tenancies.

“A multi-agency approach is essential to achieve resolution – it isn’t simply a matter for the landlord.”

A Scottish Goverment spokesman said: “The legislative powers for Asbos are in place and it is up to registered social landlords to what extent they use these powers.”