Let’s not forget our successes

Reading “The 50k eviction”, I had a lot of sympathy for Croydon Churches Housing Association (4 June, page 16). The courts have to be seen to be dealing with cases justly, and it can appear that defendants get more leeway than the landlord. Files can be mislaid, judges take different views at different points – all this leads to extra work.

Sometimes it feels like everyone forgets the victims. This is a great pity.

But cases like the Croydon Churches one are in the minority. This doesn’t make them acceptable, but we shouldn’t forget the successes in tackling antisocial behaviour.

I know of a local authority that started a

no-tolerance policy two-and-a-half years ago.

Since then, it has taken about 70 cases to court. It has obtained injunctions, antisocial behaviour orders and possession orders.

Most cases are dealt with in six months at an average cost of £4000 in solicitors’ fees.

It had to go to the Court of Appeal once (and won) and it’s had a few cases dealing with people who suffer from mental illness. These have taken almost a year to get to final trial – but it has not lost a case yet.

The secret of its success is the support of residents, councillors, police and the courts.

It has fewer antisocial behaviour cases every year. Crime figures on its estates have fallen by as much as 96% for some offences. It has a 50-strong witness support group and tenants have modified their behaviour.

I also know of a registered social landlord that launched a proactive strategy to deal with antisocial behaviour just over 18 months ago. In that time, it has dealt with 12 cases using ASBOs, injunctions and possessions at an average cost of £8000 in external solicitors’ fees per case. It’s won every case.

The courts are always busy but, in one of my cases, possession was granted within three weeks of the claim being issued – and the tenant’s behaviour was extreme. In cases of violence or threats of violence, injunctions are usually obtained the next day.

And the Antisocial Behaviour Act allows the courts to exclude someone from their home while the case reaches trial.

The more cases an RSL takes, the more efficient and cost-effective its trial process becomes. The fees incurred have to be weighed against the costs of voids, damaged properties and the cost to quality of life.

Also, the more you talk to court officials, the more concerned they will become about what victims have to endure.

There is only so much that the government can do to make the process any easier for social landlords without falling foul of human rights legislation or removing civil rights.