Injunctions
Injunctions are another means of tackling Anti-Social Behaviour.
What is an Injunction?
Injunctions are civil orders obtained from the County Court. An injunction prohibits the person concerned from engaging in the anti-social behaviour detailed in the injunction. Injunctions can be used to prevent a range of anti-social behaviour relating to housing and the wider neighbourhood, for example using a property for drug dealing, playing loud music at night, verbal abuse and vandalism.
Some injunctions can exclude the person from specified places or areas. The Court may grant an injunction for a specified period as it sees fit, or may decide that the injunction will apply until it is varied or discharged. This means that an injunction can be in force for the lifetime of the person it has been served on.
Injunctions are discretionary, which means that a Court has to decide whether it is appropriate for one to be issued.
What are housing injunctions?
Section 13 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 introduced new provisions allowing councils (and other social landlords) to apply for injunctions to prohibit anti-social behaviour that affects the management of their properties. For example, if a tenant were making unlawful use of their home by running a brothel or handling stolen goods, the council could apply for an injunction to prohibit this. More information on housing injunctions is contained on the government's Together website.
What happens if an injunction is breached?
Breach of an injunction can result in up to two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine for contempt of Court.