Anti-social behaviour (ASB)
ASB is any behaviour that causes harm, alarm, or distress to others. We understand that experiencing ASB can be upsetting and affect your quality of life. Under our ASB policy, we take all reports seriously and are committed to responding promptly, fairly, and in line with the principles of prevention, early intervention, and support.
Examples of issues we don’t normally treat as ASB:
- Children playing
- Cooking smells
- Normal household noise: appliances, doors, furniture, toilets, talking, laughing
- One-off incidents (e.g., a party or argument)
- Parking issues
- Smoking inside the home
- Shift workers coming/going
- Where tenancy conditions are not breached
ASB is any behaviour that causes harassment, alarm, or distress to others. Examples include:
- Damage to property
- Deliberately setting or starting a fire, including bonfires or any other type of fire, as part of harassment, nuisance, or criminal behaviour.
- Domestic abuse
- Exploitation, including cuckooing
- Harassment
- Hate crimes or hate incidents
- Persistent noise nuisance, such as loud music, shouting, or deliberate disturbance
- Repeated use of abusive language or behaviour
What you can do to resolve the situation
Most neighbour disputes happen because of misunderstandings.
If you feel safe, try speaking to your neighbour first. Here are some tips:
- Stay calm and polite
- Choose a time that works for them
- If you’re on friendly terms and the issue is noise, invite them to hear it for themselves
- Explain the problem clearly and why it concerns you
- Listen to their point of view and be open to compromise
If you do speak to your neighbour, let someone know where you’re going. Never confront them if you feel unsafe and walk away if they become aggressive.
If you don’t feel able to approach them, or if talking hasn’t helped, please contact us and we’ll support you.
Find out more: Anti Social Behaviour (Harm Focused) Policy FINAL
Easy-read version of the ASB policy
The Good Neighbour Charter encourages open, respectful communication.
https://www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk/help-support/anti-social-behaviour/good-neighbour-charter/
How to report ASB
Anti-social behaviour can be reported via the following methods:
- Email - asbu@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk
- Telephone via Homes Direct 01902 556789 / 01902 551188
We treat all reports in the strictest confidence.
While you can choose not to share your personal details, this can make it very difficult for us to investigate or take action.
Providing your details helps us keep you informed and gather any extra information we may need.
In an emergency: call 999 immediately.
For non-emergencies where police involvement is needed: call 101
Find out more: Anti Social Behaviour (Harm Focused) Policy FINAL
Easy-read version of the ASB policy
What we will do
When you contact us, we will:
- Contact you within 5 working days - or or sooner, depending on the nature of the report
- Talk with you about what’s happening and ask questions to understand the impact.
- Assess the nature of the situation and explain what action we can take.
- Where the situation meets the threshold for anti-social behaviour, you will be allocated an ASB Officer. They will work you and, if needed, other agencies such as the police, environmental health, social care, and mental health services to provide a coordinated response.
Not all issues are classed as anti-social behaviour under our policy. If your report doesn’t meet the ASB threshold, we will:
- Explain why it isn’t considered ASB and what this means for you.
- Offer advice and practical steps you can take to resolve the issue and/or refer you to using the Good Neighbour Charter.
- Signpost you to other services in Wolverhampton Homes or, if appropriate, other agencies that may be able to help
Our aim is to make sure you feel supported, even if formal ASB action isn’t possible.
Find out more about how we tackle ASB
Easy-read version of the ASB policy
ASB case review (Community trigger)
If you’ve experienced ASB and are unhappy with how your case was handled, you have the right to request an ASB Case Review (formerly known as the Community Trigger).
Find out more about ASB case review.
Love your community meetings (formerly PACT)
Love Your Community meetings give you practical ways to shape your neighbourhood and work with local partners—such as the police and council—to set priorities that matter to you.
At your local meeting, you can:
- Meet representatives from Wolverhampton Homes, the police, and the council
- Help decide local policing priorities
- Get updates on how previous priorities have been addressed
- Learn about local performance and community safety
- Raise individual or community-wide concerns and seek support
Hate crime ASB self-referral
Remedi UK is a leading restorative justice charity that supports victims of hate crime and works with offenders to reduce harm and prevent reoffending.
Contact Remedi UK
Website: www.remediuk.org
Phone: 0300 323 1966
Email: info@remediuk.org
Mediation service
If you are having problems with a neighbour and are unable to resolve the issue between you, you could be offered mediation.
A free service available to Wolverhampton Homes residents, mediation can often be an effective way to sort out problems that have caused distress.
Our mediation services are delivered by our partner Disputes Mediation – an independent, third-party organisation that specialises in these issues.
Helping to resolve issues
If you report to our Anti-social Behaviour or Tenancies teams that you are experiencing problems with a neighbour on issues such as:
- Lifestyle issues
- Noise
- Pet noise
- Children noise
- General disagreements
- Parking issues
and these are not classed as anti-social behaviour (ASB), we will first refer you to our Good Neighbour Charter.
The charter aims to prevent disputes, reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB), and promote positive relationships for stable, sustainable communities.
It gives you an opportunity to communicate, understand each other’s concerns, and work out an agreement that will help you to settle the problems you have experienced.
If you are unable to sort out the problems using the Good Neighbour Charter approach, you will be asked if you want to go through mediation.
How does mediation work?
If you agree to mediation, Wolverhampton Homes will refer you to Disputes Mediation, which will work with you and your neighbour to resolve your issues.
Mediation is carried out online via Teams, so you are not required to meet anyone from the organisation in your home or anywhere else.
As a mediator, it does not make decisions on behalf of the parties. Its role is to work with the you and your neighbour so that you come to your own decision to suit your needs and circumstances.
All information you share with Disputes Mediation remains strictly confidential – it does not reveal any information to Wolverhampton Homes and you do not have to disclose the outcome.
What are the benefits of mediation?
Mediation helps to improve communication between you and your neighbour, and aims to create a better relationship between you.