What do we mean by nuisance and anti-social behaviour
If you, your family or any visitors to your home are involved in any of the following
activities then the tenancy to your home may be at risk.
Noise nuisance
Noise nuisance can range from playing loud music, parties, shouting, dogs barking and DIY activities
at unreasonable hours. WDH can take action where there is evidence of serious and persistent noise nuisance.
We will also work in partnership with Wakefield Council, who can take enforcement action if the noise is proven
to be a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Criminal activity
This behaviour includes drug related activity, burglary, and the handling of stolen goods.
These acts are a breach of your tenancy agreement and against the law. If you suspect a neighbour of committing these
crimes then please report the matter to the Police.
Harassment
WDH does not tolerate any form of harassment and will take action where people are subject to threatening, insulting or abusive behaviour.
We do not tolerate any harassment due to ethnic origin, sexuality, disability, gender or religious belief.
All Service Access Points are designated Hate incident Reporting Centres and will help deal with reports of incidents
where the victim or anyone else believes it is motivated by the offenders 'hate' against people because of who they are.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, help is available.
Certain business activity
Tenants are in breach of their tenancy agreement if they run certain businesses from home such as the repair and
maintenance of vehicles and dealing in scrap materials etc. Anyone wishing to carry out basic car maintenance to
their own vehicle must do so in reasonable hours and not cause a nuisance to neighbours. Please note that we do
allow residents to act as official child minders if registered with the Wakefield Council's Family Services Department.
Graffiti, vandalism and damage to WDH property
Any form of graffiti, vandalism or damage to our property is not only a breach of the tenancy agreement but can also
lead to criminal action being taken by the Police. If you witness anyone causing damage to WDH property then you should
immediately contact your local Service Access Point, OneCALL or the Police.
Abuse of communal areas
The irresponsible dumping of rubbish in communal areas can cause nuisance and danger to
others. All household rubbish must be disposed of in the bins provided and any bulky waste must be reported to Cleansing
Services for removal or disposal at your local household waste site.
Vehicle maintenance
You can carry out minor repairs to your own vehicle, or that belonging to a member of your
household, as long as you:
- Do not cause a nuisance to your neighbours.
- Do the work on your own drive or in your garage.
- Do not keep unroadworthy or illegal vehicles within the boundary of your home.
- Get rid of unwanted oil, engine or vehicle parts properly and at an authorised site.
Abandoned vehicles
WDH will request the removal of a vehicle from our land if it is considered to be abandoned and a danger
to the public's health and safety. We will work closely with Wakefield Council's
Neighbourhood
Action Team to ensure that these vehicles are quickly dealt with. Those responsible for the vehicle will be
charged for all removal costs. Please give consideration to your neighbours, their safety and the appearance of
your estate when parking your vehicle. You must only park in authorised places and not block access to driveways
or park on grassed areas.
Untidy gardens
We expect tenants' gardens to be kept clean and tidy at all times. Gardens that are overgrown
or filled with rubbish are unsightly and give a poor appearance to the neighbouring area.
All gardens are monitored on their condition and action will be taken if no effort is made to maintain gardens
to an acceptable standard. If you require assistance for basic garden work due to poor health or disability then
please contact your local Service Access Points because we may be able to help you.
We also hold a garden competition every year which is open to all residents of our estates. There are several
categories which people can enter with prizes for the winners. Further information is available at your local Service
Access Point, or read more about garden inspections or
the annual garden competition.
Rubbish and flytipping
Flytipping is the illegal dumping of waste. It can happen anywhere, including roadsides, lay-bys and on communal land.
Please help protect your local environment by disposing of your waste responsibly.
Wakefield Council's Waste
Services Team will collect your rubbish on a particular day. You must put all household rubbish in the bins provided.
Please report bulky waste (such as a sofa or a fridge) to the Cleansing Services Department or take it to your local household
waste site. For more information on collection days and other services, please phone Waste Services' Action Line on 0845 8 506 506.
We encourage residents to keep yards and common areas tidy and free from bulky rubbish and other unreasonable mess.
To make sure no one has to put up with neighbours with very unkempt gardens or lawns cluttered with rubbish, we hold a
garden inspection each year. Read more about the inspection.
Keeping pets
You can keep a domestic pet such as a cat or dog. However, we expect you to look after them responsibly so that they
do not cause a nuisance to your neighbours.
You are not allowed to keep:
- More than one dog or cat without first getting our written permission.
- Dogs or cats if your home has a shared entrance.
- Pigeons, non-domestic animals or livestock (for example, cows, sheep or pigs).
- Snakes.
- Any animal considered dangerous by law.
If you own a dog, please do not let it foul the verges or open areas on your estate.
This is unsightly, unhygienic and a danger to health. Please also make sure that your
dog does not become a stray. The
Council's Dog
Warden Service may take away stray dogs that have no identification tag. You can phone the Dog Warden Service on 0845 8506 506.