30.04.07 - Magna put more bad tenants under the spotlight

This month has seen Magna Housing Association awarded with its second demotion order and means another bad tenant will be at risk of losing their tenancy if they do not mend their anti social ways.

Julie Martin, living at Brunel Court in Great Western Road, has been a Magna tenant since December 2005. Ms Martin had the demoted tenancy awarded against her earlier this month after a catalogue of anti social behaviour stemmed from her property.

Magna staff have worked closely with the local police to secure this result and were pleased to be able notch up another win against anti social tenants.

Housing officer, Victoria Letten, says, “The reports of anti social behaviour started as early as January 2006. Ms Martin was housed in this one bedroom flat as a single person which met her needs at the time. It was discussed that children may join her later and she was advised of the correct procedure should she require larger accommodation.

As the year moved the number of instances of anti social behaviour committed by Ms Martin, her children and numerous people visiting the property, was growing.”

The catalogue of anti social events included, loud music at all hours, large numbers of teenagers intimidating other Magna tenants and passers by, racist remarks and spitting. The property itself was generally used for truants and on occasions there could be anything up to 12-15 teenagers (between the ages of 13-18 years old), drinking alcohol and smoking here.

Victoria adds, “We had even received calls from the concerned parents of some underage children who were spending time in the property.

Although this appalling behaviour was having an effect on the entire immediate community, local residents were unwilling to complain officially for fear of reprisals. We are lucky however, to have the full backing of the local police and with their evidence and ours we were able to secure the demoted tenancy.”

Demoted tenancies reduce the security of a tenancy to that of an ‘assured shorthold tenancy’, lasting for a year. If in that time the tenant breaches any further terms of their tenancy agreement, Magna can serve them with two months’ notice to leave the property. This is the second demoted tenancy that has been awarded to Magna by the court and they are already proving to be an essential tool in the reduction of anti social behaviour.

The Section Commander for Dorchester, Police Inspector Les Fry, also added, “ I am very pleased with this result. This action shows the benefits that can be had by the community for partners to work together. None of us will accept behaviour that falls below what is a reasonable and all appropriate agencies will share information to enable positive action to be taken. We are all committed to making Dorchester Safer and make Dorchester feel safer. I do envisage many more joint actions being taken, in order to reduce Anti Social Behaviour”

 

Last updated 03.05.07