Antisocial behaviour in public housing

We want to improve social housing for our tenants and for nearby communities.

Categories of antisocial behaviour

We have separated antisocial behaviour into 3 categories. Each category is treated differently for regulation purposes.

Severe illegal behaviour

Behaviour which poses a risk to the safety or security of residents or property. It includes behaviours which may result in criminal charges, conviction or significant damage to a Homes NSW property.

Serious antisocial behaviour

Behaviour that involves activities that severely disturbs neighbours. It may also include behaviours that risk the safety of tenants, their families, neighbours or Homes NSW. It may also cause damage to a Homes NSW property.

Minor and moderate antisocial behaviour

Behaviour that involves activities which disturb the peace, comfort or privacy of other tenants or neighbours.

How we manage antisocial behaviour

Minor and moderate behaviour

Tenants will receive a warning notice for the fist offence. If the behaviour continues, we may issue strike notices or activities like loud music of disruptive parties. Receiving three strikes with 12 months can lead to eviction.

Severe illegal behaviour

For serious offences like drug crimes or storing unlicensed firearms, we can apply directly to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for eviction.

Probationary leases

Most new tenants will be put onto a 12 month probationary lease when they come into public housing. Probationary leases set expectations of tenants from the start of their tenancy to pay rent, show respect for neighbours and meet the other conditions of their lease.

Reporting antisocial behaviour

To report antisocial behaviour:

Contact your client service officer.

You can also use the Serious Incident Diary and Witness Incident forms available on our website. Your client service officer can help you complete these forms.

When reporting antisocial behaviour, include specific times and dates of the antisocial behaviour, whether NSW Police were contacted, and the individuals involved.

Handling antisocial behaviours complaints

When a complaint is made, we will:

1. contact the complainant to gather evidence
2. speak with other witnesses and agencies, including NSW Police
3. contact the accused and invite them to a scheduled interview to discuss the allegations
4. respond to both parties with an outcome. This may include issuing a warning or a strike notice. It may also include seeking termination of the tenancy agreement through NCAT.

If we determine that the alleged antisocial behaviour is a neighbourhood dispute, we may recommend a referral to a Community Justice Centre. Where appropriate, we will refer tenants to a relevant support service to help them change their behaviour.

What to do if a complaint is made against you

If we receive a complaint about your tenancy we will send you a letter inviting you to attend a scheduled interview.

You can also find details of support services at your local office or online at Infoxchange Service Seeker. Accessing support may assist you to meet your tenancy obligations and reduce the risk to your tenancy. For independent and free advice you can contact:

• Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service
  To locate your closest office, enter your postcode in the TAAS service finder.
• Aboriginal Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services
  (local numbers provided)
• Tenants’ Union of NSW
  1800 251 101
  (Monday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm)
• NSW Fair Trading
  133 220
• Law Access NSW
  1300 888 529

Appealing a strike notice for antisocial behaviour

If you believe we’ve made the wrong decision about issuing a strike notice, talk to your client service officer about your concerns. If you’re still not satisfied, you can ask to have the decision reviewed. To do this, complete the review of decision form (PDF 343.9KB).

You must submit your request within 21 calendar days of receiving the notice. After this period, no other appeal to Homes NSW or the Housing Appeals Committee will be available.