Your Neighbourhood

Community safety and anti-social behaviour

We believe that everyone has the right to live the way they want to, provided that this does not interfere with or disturb others. It is part of your tenancy agreement that you do not cause a nuisance to your neighbours. We do not tolerate anti-social behaviour (ASB) and have set procedures to follow when you
report an incident to us. All reports are treated seriously, regardless of whether immediate action is taken.

What Is ASB?

The term ASB is used to describe a whole range of behaviour that upsets other people. This can include criminal activity and serious nuisance, as well as less  severe but frequent and annoying behaviour. It can be quite difficult to agree on a definition of ASB as we all have different lifestyles, expectations and tolerance levels. However, we believe that every person has a right to enjoy life in their own way providing they do not adversely affect the lives of those living and working
around them.

Examples of ASB may include:

• noise nuisance
• vandalism and graffiti
• intimidation and harassment
• using our properties to sell or use illegal substances
• violence
• racial harassment
• domestic abuse

Common issues that occur on our estates that may NOT constitute ASB include:

• children playing
• DIY activities
• smoking
• lifestyle clashes
• noise caused by normal living (e.g. watching TV or closing doors)

How do I report ASB?

If you are affected by ASB, please do not hesitate to contact the Tenancy Services Team by: 

• using the online form on our website www.myaccount.great-yarmouth.gov. uk/make-a-tenancy-complaint
• you can also contact us via email at tenancy@great-yarmouth.gov.uk
• if you regularly witness loud noise nuisance please also use the Noise App that can be downloaded from App stores for your phone/mobile device. The Tenancy team will support you with access. The evidence collected will go straight to the Tenancy Services Team to investigate and where appropriate take reasonable actions to support change of behaviour by the perpetrator
• Calling 01493 846839
• If you notice environmental crime you can report this through the Love Clean Streets App Which is also available to download from App stores

What we will do?

We will identify the most appropriate solutions to your problems. We look to develop an understanding of what triggers the perpetrators behaviour before considering what appropriate action to take. Informal actions can include:

• mediation offered to resolve neighbour disputes Acceptable Behaviour Contracts
• joint visits and working with partner agencies
• Community Protection Warnings

We have a wide range of legal powers and effective tools at our disposal that could be used where other alternatives have failed including:

• Community Protection Notices to deal with problems or nuisance that has a negative effect on your community
• working with the Environmental Health team issuing Noise Abatement Notices to control statutory noise pollution
• ASB Injunctions to protect you from an individual who acts in an anti-social or threatening manner
• Closure Orders where a property and its persons are causing a continual nuisance 
• Possession Orders where it is reasonable and proportionate

We work in collaboration with the Community Hub which includes representation from the Police, Social Services, and other voluntary organisations to prevent  and reduce ASB.

Action you can take

Sometimes people do not realise that their actions are upsetting others. If you feel comfortable, please speak to your neighbour and explain why their behaviour  is upsetting you; listen to their point of view; try not to lose your temper and reach a mutual agreement; walk away from an argument. 

Domestic Abuse

If you, or someone you know, are a victim of domestic abuse, please contact us. We can help you. We can give you advice and details of specialist organisations  that can help. We will keep the details of your case confidential. Domestic abuse is a crime and always phone 999 in an emergency if it is safe to do so.

Looking after communal spaces

Action you can take to be a good neighbour

These are the shared areas of a block of flats or an estate which all residents and visitors can use or have the benefit of looking at. This includes:

• lifts and stairs
• balconies and landings
• bin areas
• drying areas
• car parks
• footpaths
• grass areas
• shrub beds
• hedges

Caretaking

We have Estate Caretakers who keep the communal areas and grounds of the estates clean and tidy. Their responsibilities include:

• cleaning of communal areas on estates including in and around flats and maisonettes.
• reporting and supporting issues that impact the environment including rubbish and recycling
• carrying out site inspections
• removal of rubbish and health hazards such as syringes as quickly as we can
• arranging the removal of graffiti: if graffiti is racist or sexist we aim for this to be removed within 24 hours of being reported
• reporting unauthorised, badly parked, abandoned or untaxed vehicles
• reporting communal repairs and monitoring until completed
• supporting the work of the Tenancy Services Team along with residents to reduce and tackle anti-social behaviour
• developing the service to make sure we are meeting all our tenants' needs (we welcome views and suggestions on how we can improve)
• testing communal lighting and fire alarms

Safety in communal areas

You must not store or leave any items in communal lifts or stairwells as this could be a potential hazard due to:

• people may not be able to escape quick enough from a fire or any other incident particularly if the lighting fails due to power issues linked to the emergency.
• young children or people with sight or mobility problems may hurt themselves tripping-up, slipping on or falling over obstacles
• children could be injured playing with dangerous materials
• can restrict the service and cleaning of the shared communal space

If you notice something that is not right where you live, please report this to us. As example, this could be faulty landlord lighting, fly-tipping or communal  repairs.

Gardening

We call gardening of communal areas grounds maintenance and this is provided by GY Services. They mow the grass; prune hedges; tidy flower/shrub beds and  ensure paved areas are free from leaves and weeds. How often we maintain these areas depends on the type of plants and the need not to disturb nesting birds or other wildlife. We aim to keep these areas free of litter and will ensure that shrubs and hedges do not obstruct paths, windows and roads. Road verges are not owned by us and are the responsibility of Norfolk County Council Highways Team who maintain them. Therefore, they may be mown at different times to other grass areas. If you need to report any verges, please use the Love Clean Streets App.

Trees

We regularly inspect trees to ensure they are in as safe a condition as reasonably possible and undertake any safety and structural work required. We will not  prune or remove a tree just because it has fruit or leaves falling from it.

Parking

Some estates have very little provision for non-adopted parking areas which can lead to conflict and frustration for people living in those areas. We ask everyone to be considerate in how and where they park as many estates were developed prior to the increase in vehicle ownership.
Some problems are:

• obstructive parking - vehicles blocking dropped kerbs or in front of garages
• untaxed/abandoned vehicles

Generally, we rely on everyone being considerate to their neighbours. However, when needed and if possible, we will take action. For example, where there are  vehicles parked on grass areas causing damage or impacting the community or untaxed/ abandoned vehicles on any GYBC land. In addition, please do not  park/store motorbikes, mopeds or mobility scooters on paths, drying areas or open green spaces.

If you require the provision of a disabled parking bay to support your usage of a communal car park linked to your disability please contact the Tenancy Services Team.

Gardens

You are responsible for maintaining your garden to a satisfactory standard ensuring you:

• keep any garden area well maintained and free from rubbish
• trim boundary hedges at least once a year to keep them below two metres high and not to restrict access to communal areas
• do not remove or plant any trees, hedges or large shrubs from the boundary of your garden until you get the Council's written permission to do so
• hedges & shrubs are regularly pruned so they do not overhang over the road/pavement and are not exceeding 2 metres
• borders are regularly maintained and free of weeds
• if you live in a flat you are able to plant out one meter surrounding your home (permission required for larger areas)

Scheme improvements

If you have an idea about improving the outside environment where you live, please email the Estate Services Team. We have an area grant that can  be used to make a space greener, cleaner or safer.

Garden Maintenance Scheme

If you need help with your garden, you can apply to join the Garden Maintenance Scheme. For a small weekly cost, we will cut your grass and prune hedges /  shrubs. For more information and to apply please visit our website or speak to the Tenancy Services Team.

Responsible pet ownership

There are many benefits to owning a pet, but animals can cause a nuisance to others if they are not looked after properly. You are responsible for their care and  control inside your home and within communal areas. If your pet is using the communal areas please ensure you are with your pet and in control at all time,  please do not let dogs run freely in communal shared areas and please always pick up after fouling.

Communal garden areas

We encourage you to enjoy the outside spaces, however when leaving the area, we ask that no items are left behind and are returned into your property. Please  be considerate to your neighbours who may not wish to be interrupted by shouting and large gatherings. Please always supervise children, use any litter bins  provided this will help us maintain a nice area for everyone.

We don't permit bouncy castles, trampolines, swimming pools, BBQs or fire pits on communal areas due to health and safety and our insurance does not cover this. When these items are found in communal areas we take action to remove these. Anyone wishing to make use of a skip on communal areas please contact the Tenancy Team.

Mobility Scooters

We recognise that many people rely on mobility scooters to get out and about and the safe use and storage is important to everyone. Mobility scooters come  with risks during battery re-charging and storage. They can both be a cause of a fire and lead to escape routes being blocked. The overall safety of all tenants and leaseholders is our primary concern. Under our policy, in accordance with the fire safety act, all tenants and leaseholders are encouraged to contact us before  obtaining one. We will complete an assessment to identify if there is a safe place to store and charge your scooter. If you already have a mobility scooter and you have not informed the council, please contact us. Our policy aims to give improved options for tenants and leaseholders to safely own and use a mobility scooter.