When you have reported a problem to a Housing Officer, all cases will be assessed to establish the severity of the problem.
Non-severe cases may be resolved immediately, e.g. abandoned cars.
More severe cases will be referred to an officer for investigation, if urgent this will occur immediately.
What will the Housing Officer do then?
If appropriate an interview will be arranged with you to:
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Find out more about the anti-social behaviour
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Discuss what you can do to help yourself
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Explain what we and other agencies can do to assist e.g. talking to the alleged perpetrator
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If you or a member of your household are at serious risk we will contact you within 1 working day and arrange to interview you as soon as possible
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If you have experienced repeated incidents of harassment or nuisance or had one severe incident, we will interview you within 1 working day
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For other low level incidents we will ensure we arrange to interview you within 3 working days.
What will happen after my interview with my Housing Officer?
They will agree an action plan with you.
They will talk to the perpetrator if appropriate.
They will look at what repairs and security measures can be provided for you.
They will keep you regularly informed of any action they are taking.
They will work in partnership with other agencies such as the Police and other partners in the Community Safety Team to deal with anti-social problems.
What support can I expect if I make a complaint?
All reports of harassment are taken seriously and the safety of tenants and their households is always important.
Women reporting sexual harassment or domestic abuse will be offered an interview with a female member of staff wherever possible.
An appropriate interpreter will be arranged to be present if required.
We can visit you in your home, or arrange to see you at a local Council office if you prefer. If you cannot visit a Council office, for example because of a disability, please contact us by telephone or through a third party. We will arrange an appointment to visit you at your home.
Any reports of harassment will be treated confidentially.
No action will be taken against a person harassing a complainant without the victim’s consent.
We can arrange for any letters or other written material sent to you to be translated into your preferred language.
Any urgent repairs to council properties as a result of harassment will be carried out the same day where possible and any offensive graffiti will be attended to within 24 hours of it being reported. Less offensive graffiti will be removed as quickly as possible.
We will wherever possible put you in contact with other support services and appropriate agencies to enable support and practical assistance to be offered to you.
In serious cases of harassment where the victim’s personal safety is in doubt, temporary accommodation can be arranged. In the most severe cases emergency re-housing will be considered if there are no other options.