Servite's new test of good behaviour

From 31 July this year, new tenants who move in to a Servite home will have to prove their good behaviour if they are to keep their tenancy for more than one year.

We are one of the first housing associations to tackle anti-social behaviour by introducing new tenancy conditions.

The Starter Tenancy will mean new tenants have a twelve month probationary period to show they can be good tenants. They will receive all the same services from Servite but if they or their visitors engage in any anti-social behaviour, they can be quickly evicted. 

The aim of the change is to send a message to tenants that nuisance and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and to set a norm of good behaviour. At any time during the first 18 months of the tenancy, if an internal investigation proves the tenant has been engaging in anti-social behaviour, Servite will be able to apply the Court for an eviction order, and the tenant will not be able to defend the case. This means if we have to go to Court frightened and intimidated neighbours will not have to come to give evidence.
 
Of course, we will thoroughly investigate all complaints of anti-social behaviour using our specialist in-house ASB Team.
 
Colin Lydon, Anti-social Behaviour Manager, said "This is really going to help us sort out ASB problems quickly for our tenants. It will be much easier to deal with new tenants who come in and cause trouble. Although good behaviour in the first year doesn’t guarantee good behaviour in the future, in practice most anti-social tenants come to our attention during their first 12 months with us. Of course there’s a risk of unfair allegations. But we will always carry out a thorough investigation before we use these new powers.”

Servite welcomes good neighbours. After a successful probationary period tenants will move to an assured tenancy.

Ends

Press release issued: July 19 2006