Under the Anti-Social Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004, antisocial behaviour is where a person:

· Acts in a manner that causes, or is likely to cause alarm or distress, or

· Pursues a course of conduct that causes, or is likely to cause alarm or distress to at least one person who is not in the same household.

We categorise antisocial behaviour into three levels:

Bield cannot intervene in every instance where something may be distressing or inconvenient. The following are not normally considered antisocial behaviour:

· Reasonable noise from children playing

· Personal disputes between tenants or within families

· People coming and going, unless their behaviour is disruptive

· Being stared at or feeling uncomfortable (without other behaviour)

· Parking issues – spaces are unallocated and first come, first served

· Everyday domestic noise, such as:

o Footsteps or walking

o Toilets flushing

o Conversations through walls

o Household activity such as vacuuming or reasonable TV/music levels

o Banging internal doors

While these may cause frustration, they are not breaches of tenancy. We may speak to tenants to raise awareness, but formal action is unlikely unless part of a broader pattern of behaviour.

If you are experiencing persistent issues:

· Talk to your neighbour if safe and appropriate – they may not realise the impact of their behaviour. However, be mindful that there may be underlying support needs, cognitive impairment or behaviour issues you are not aware of.

· Speak to your Local Manager or Area Housing Manager

· Record what’s happening – keep a diary of dates, times, and nature of the issue (eg, loud TV, shouting, mechanical noise).

· Collect evidence if safe to do so (photos, recordings)

· Report criminal behaviour to the police – for example drug use, assault or hate incidents.

Ask yourself:

· Is this affecting your sleep, wellbeing, or health

· Is it happening frequently?

· Is the situation escalating?

You can speak to your Local Manager or Area Housing Manager in confidence. We will:

· Listen to your concerns

· Provide advice and support

· Explain what actions we can take

· Keep your identity confidential

For serious or threatening issues, always contact the police first, then notify your housing team.

We aim to resolve cases as soon as possible, but our response will depend on the severity of the complaint.

Whether you are experiencing antisocial behaviour or accused of it, you may benefit from additional support. We may signpost or refer you to:

· Social work services

· Citizens Advice Scotland (CAB)

· GP or mental health services

· CADS - local alcohol and drug services

· MoodJuice – online mental health support

· Police Scotland

Please be aware

· Legal action is a last resort – it is complex, takes time (12 – 24 months in some cases), and depends on strong evidence

· We cannot act on anonymous complaints unless there is corroboration

· Without evidence of a clear tenancy breach, we may not be able to take formal action

· We will always seek to resolve issues informally before progressing to formal action or court

We understand that the smell of cannabis can be unpleasant or distressing for some tenants. However, it is important to note the following:

· Cannabis use is a criminal offence, and the responsibility for investigating and taking action lies primarily with Police Scotland.

· If you are concerned about regular smells or suspected use, we encourage you to report this directly to the police by calling 101. You can also report anonymously through Crimestoppers.

· In most cases, unless the police investigate and confirm criminal activity, we are unable to take direct tenancy enforcement action – particularly when the smell is in the communal areas or the source cannot be identified.

· If the source is known and the issue is persistent, your Area Housing Manager may issue a tenancy warning, depending on the circumstances. However, our ability to intervene is limited when there is no clear evidence or corroboration.

Victim Support Scotland

Helpline 0800 160 1985 (Mon–Fri: 8 am–8 pm; Sat–Sun: 10 am–4 pm)

Website victimsupport.scot

Scottish Women's Aid

Helpline 0800 027 1234 (24/7)

Website Safer.scot

Rape Crisis Scotland

Helpline 08088 01 03 02 (daily, 6 pm–midnight)

Scottish Women’s Rights Centre (SWRC)

Helpline 08088 010 789 (Mon–Wed & Fri—varied hours)

Action Against Stalking (Scotland)

Helpline 0800 820 2427

Abused Men in Scotland (AMIS)

Helpline 03300 949 395

Amina – Muslim Women’s Resource

Centre

Helpline  0808 801 0301

FearFree (LGBT+)

Helpline  0131 624 7270

Breathing Space

Helpline 0800 83 85 87

Shelter Scotland

Helpline 0808 800 4444

Samaritans

Helpline 116 123