Community Safety

The Department for Social Development is committed to tackling Anti-Social Behaviour at every level and, in this regard, ensuring that all social housing tenants are treated fairly and consistently.

All Registered Housing Associations must, therefore, have in place a policy and procedures for dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour and will be expected to adhere to these at all times.

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The Department has a statutory duty under the Northern Ireland Act 1998, Section 75(2) to ‘promote good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group’.

The Housing Executive currently appends a ‘Good Neighbour’ agreement to their tenancy agreements. This document refers to the conduct that is expected from each tenant as well as incorporating community safety and shared neighbourhood principles. This is a stand alone document and is a voluntary charter that is additional to the legal tenancy agreement.

A number of Housing Associations have already introduced ‘Good Neighbour’ agreements in consultation with their tenants. However, the Department is keen to see a similar ‘Good Neighbour’ agreement introduced to supplement all Housing Association tenancy agreements.

The model agreement can be tailored to suit the needs of individual Associations and communities. In the case of new developments, tenants should be encouraged to sign up to the ‘Good Neighbour’ agreement when signing their tenancy agreement – this could be discussed at the community consultation meetings to gain agreement for either the model agreement or a bespoke agreement.

The Department appreciates that implementation of a ‘Good Neighbour’ agreement for existing tenancies will require consultation with individual tenants therefore we are content that a ‘Good Neighbour’ agreement is introduced for new tenancies and re-lets as they arise.

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