With Labour making antisocial behaviour (ASB) a central part of its plans for government, landlords must prepare for changes in how they manage community safety.

The government’s new policy emphasises a zero-tolerance stance on ASB, with a focus on restoring order in communities. This includes a commitment to stronger enforcement measures and ensuring that repeat offenders face swift and effective action.

Under the Labour Government’s plan, local councils will be given more resources and powers to address ASB, working closely with landlords to identify and tackle issues before they escalate.

Landlords will be expected to play an even more proactive role, with clear expectations on how to manage these issues.

The Renters (Reform) Bill, which is set to be a cornerstone of the government’s housing policy, will introduce further changes for landlords, including new requirements for dealing with ASB and a new, wider definition of ASB.

Under the bill the notice period for possession orders has been reduced from four weeks to zero days for both convictions and low-level ASB cases. While this significant change allows landlords to seek immediate eviction, it potentially leaves tenants little time to contest wrongful accusations.

We will hear from expert speakers on issues including:

• Legislative changes and new powers available to our teams
• Balancing prevention with enforcement
• Community engagement
• The new government’s plans for addressing ASB and what this means for teams
• ASB complaints handling.

This event is essential for anyone working in ASB:

• ASB officers and managers
• Neighbourhood managers
• Other frontline staff dealing with ASB.

10:30am  Opening remarks from the Chair

• Adam Frame, ASB Manager, L&Q

10:40am  Understanding the new ASB framework

• Rebecca Bryant OBE, Chief Executive, Resolve

Rebecca will give an overview of the new ASB framework, how it differs from the old approach and what it means for landlords.  She will also talk about the challenges and opportunities this brings for landlords and the impacts on tenants and wider communities.

11:10am  Practical approaches to implementing new ASB regulations

• Donna McCarthy, Partner, Head of Housing Management & Property Litigation, Devonshires

Donna will give an overview and legal perspective on new and upcoming ASB regulations and what these mean for landlords and tenants.  Donna will discuss the impact of the Renters’ Reform Bill on ASB, particularly changes in tenancy agreements and grounds for eviction, as well as what the new Labour government means for ASB issues and practical steps landlords can take to prepare.

11:40am  Community engagement case study

• Steve Neale, NSW Community Development Manager, Community Housing Ltd

Steve will discuss details of his work with community elders to overcome vandalism problems by young people in New South Wales.    He will share insights on engaging with these groups to help identify the root causes of vandalism and ASB, using examples of innovative techniques and best practice working with police, authorities and schools.

12:10pm  Chair’s reflections on the morning session and delegate Q&A

• Adam Frame, ASB Manager, L&Q

12:30pm  Lunch

1:10pm  Improving Tenant Engagement and support

• Amy Nathan, Tenancy Enforcement Manager, Places For People

• Kelly Street, Community Safety Area Manager, Places For People

Amy and Kelly will discuss how Places For People are improving their tenant engagement and support, with examples of case studies and best practice.

1:40pm  ASB and Complex Needs case study

• Adam Frame, ASB Manager, L&Q

2:10pm  Closing remarks from the chair

• Adam Frame, ASB Manager, L&Q

2:40pm  Close

Adam Frame, ASB Manager, L&Q

Adam has 14 years’ experience working in the field of investigating, reviewing cases, taking enforcement actions, and supporting victims and alleged perpetrators who have experienced anti-social behaviour or criminal activity. He is passionate in delivering exceptional customer service and learning from past experiences to get it right first time. Previous roles include leading teams specialising in ASB, DA, Vulnerability & Support and complex tenancy management issues.

He has worked across the home counties and London in various roles from being a police officer to ASB Manager at a London local authority and housing association. Working in different organisations has provided him with a deep understanding of the challenges and constraints of each role he has undertaken and what partner agencies regularly face.

He has successfully led teams on tackling community concerns such as entrenched anti-social and high-level criminal behaviour. He has spearheaded and coordinated joint action plans with stakeholders to utilise all available tools and powers to reduce risk and provide sustainable support plans for residents. An example of this was that he was the first person in the local authority housing management department to successfully obtain a closure order and possession order on a property which was involved with criminal activity putting vulnerable families at risk.

Steve Neale, Community Development Manager, Community Housing Ltd

Stephen Neale is the NSW Community Development Manager for Community Housing Limited, where he leads a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing the mental and physical health, as well as the overall wellbeing, of social housing tenants. Under his leadership, numerous impactful initiatives have been implemented, addressing specific community needs from Coffs Harbour down the NSW east coast to Sydney.

Notable programs include the establishment of a community centre in the West Kempsey estate, spearheading the Local Drug Action Team, and launching comprehensive environmental health programs. These initiatives have significantly contributed to improving the quality of life for residents in these areas.

Before his current role in community development, Stephen made substantial contributions at the Northern Territory Department of Education, where he led a team in creating culturally appropriate resources and education programs for Aboriginal students in remote NT communities. His dedication to education extended to teaching youth at risk and people with disabilities at TAFE Western (NSW).

With a successful career focused on empowering disadvantaged communities, Stephen now channels his passion for grassroots development into creating and nurturing projects that make a tangible difference in the lives of social housing tenants.

In his spare time, Stephen enjoys family life and manages a small property on the mid-north coast of NSW.

Donna McCarthy, Partner and Head of Housing Management & Property Litigation, Devonshires

Donna heads up a team at Devonshires Solicitors advising on all aspects of housing management law and practice, acting for Local Authorities, Registered Providers and private landlords in complex litigation, including possession proceedings; actions to restrain Anti-Social Behaviour; injunctions and disrepair actions.

Donna started her legal career in the in house legal team at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, combining part time studies with a mixed litigation practice including housing law. She qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 1994.

Between 1994 and 1999 she worked as a specialist housing litigator, predominantly advising and representing tenants with particular specialism in representing those with mental capacity issues, regularly taking instructions from the Official Solicitor.

Donna’s expertise in complex dispute resolution, both in and out of court, sits alongside her extensive experience in advising on non-contentious policy and procedure in addition to regulatory matters.

She has particular specialism advising on mental health, safeguarding and capacity issues both is respect of litigated matters as well as from a regulatory perspective where she advises on health and social care aspects including enforcement action and dealing with adverse incidents. She also advises on issues arising from care contracts and service level agreements, including dispute resolution.

Donna regularly contributes and writes articles, including contributing to Devonshires Housing Management Brief, as well as articles on upcoming legislative changes and sector updates and is Devonshires most prolific trainer, regularly presenting seminars, workshops and webinars and is responsible for co-ordinating the Housing Management training programme..

In her spare time Donna volunteers at Inspiring the Future, presenting in schools and college on legal career options.

Rebecca Bryant OBE, Chief Executive, Resolve

Rebecca became Chief Executive in 2018 after previously working as Manchester City Council’s Head of Crime and Disorder.

Rebecca is widely recognised as a thought leader for the sector.

Amy Nathan, Tenancy Enforcement Manager, Places For People

Kelly Street, Community Safety Area Manager, Places For People

If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected]

Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

Cancellations must be made in writing, and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited.