What will happen once you have reported it?

The Impact Team will contact you.

We will contact you quickly to confirm that we're looking into your complaint. We can sort out obvious problems fairly easily. For example if you tell us about a rubbish-filled garden we simply go round and check. We'll tell the other person to clean it up, and take action against them for breaking their tenancy agreement if they don't.

But some cases are not quite so simple. If the anti-social behaviour is less obvious or if it's aimed directly at you - harassment and abuse for example - we'll need to talk to you before we start an investigation.

They will agree a plan of action with you.

We can meet you at your home, in the office or somewhere else. In most cases we will contact you within 24 hours of you reporting the incident.

We will ask you who is affected, how they're affected, where it happens, and when it happens. We will speak to other people in your household who have been affected too. We will then draw up an action plan listing what you should do and what we will do to get the problem sorted out. The case is now a partnership - we are working for you, but you must help us by keeping to your side of the action plan.

The Impact Team will talk it through with those involved.

If the case does not involve threats, violence or harassment, the plan could include talking the problem through with the other person. Sometimes a neighbour just needs reminding that their behaviour is upsetting. If the perpetrator is unreasonable, just walk away. Don't get involved in an argument. If you feel uneasy with this approach we can set up a meeting for you, and be there to help you talk through the problem together. There is a mediation service available that can help solve your dispute.

What action will they take?

We can't take action against someone without evidence. We will give you a special 'incident diary' to record anti-social behaviour you see or hear. We may need other evidence, like photographs, video or tape recordings. We can sometimes do this for you, but if the incident happens suddenly it may be best if you do it too. We might have to speak to other people who have witnessed the problem. It could be difficult to take the case any further without these other witnesses.

The Impact Team will contact the perpetrator.

If the evidence confirms the anti-social behaviour we will take action. In very serious cases - where the perpetrator has put you or another person in danger - we'll go straight to legal action. But in most situations we will take a more step-by-step approach to try to get them to change. We will interview the perpetrator. (You can ask us not to do this, but it could then be difficult to take the case further). We will tell them to change their behaviour or risk legal action. This is enough to solve the vast majority of problems.

We may take legal action.

If anti-social behaviour continues after a final warning - or if someone is in danger - we will start legal action straight away. We will ask the court to give us:

• An injunction - a legal order that instructs the perpetrator to stop acting anti-socially; or
• An anti-social behaviour order banning the perpetrator from coming into specific areas; or
• Permission to evict the responsible tenant (the tenant is responsible for their own behaviour and for the behaviour of anyone living with them or visiting their home).
• Demotion of Tenancy – a request to remove the security of your tenancy.
• To extend your Introductory Tenancy – If you are have an Intro. Ten. this will usually be for 12 months. This action will make it 18 months before you can then enjoy the benefit of a secure tenancy.

How can you contact your Impact Team?

Barnsley Connects take all our first line enquiries and you can phone them on 01226 775555. Click Barnsley Connects Office to find details of your local office.  See the link above for details of your local team.  

What can you do to help us?

If you report any incidents to us we need clear and thorough details from you. For example, names dates, locations and times of incidents.

We may also need evidence like photographs, video or tape recordings. We will issue you with a special 'Incident Diary' for your completion.

We will give you a number of diary sheets and tell you how to complete them when you report an incident.

Where can I find additional information?

The following leaflets may help you.

• Your tenancy
• Tenancy Agreement 
• Introductory tenancies

Which laws apply to this?

• Secure tenancies are covered by the Housing Act 1985.
• Introductory tenancies are covered by the Housing Act 1996.

How quickly will we contact you?

You will be contacted by an Impact Officer within 24 hours of contacting Berneslai Homes. The impact officer will carry out the relevant investigations and will advise you what happens next and what you need to do.

At any time, if the incident is criminal contact the police on 01142 202020.

Frequently asked questions 

Why is it taking you a longtime to get the problem sorted?

It may appear that we are not taking any action to resolve the problem. We assure you that we are acting as quickly as we can. If we need to take legal action then it may take us a long time to prepare the evidence and we then have to wait for the courts to set a date for a hearing. Tenants are protected by the terms of their tenancy agreement and this means that we have to go through many steps if we want to take legal action. We will keep you informed of the progress of our investigation. If you think that we are not doing enough please contact us again.

If the complaint is of a very serious nature we can ask the courts to consider taking action straight away.

Other useful web links.

• South Yorkshire Police