ASB cost management overview

The latest data available on the cost of anti-social behaviour indicates that landlords are currently dealing with approximately 300,000 ASB cases each year, at an estimated cost of £300M. This also equates to a significant amount of workload for all agencies involved. The majority of incidents are related to environmental ASB (e.g. litter, graffiti, noise) or public nuisance (e.g. drunken and rowdy behaviour), although it is well understand that these can lead ultimately to more serious crime, if not addressed effectively. One of the principal direct costs incurred by social landlords as a result of anti-social behaviour is the amount of staff time involved, which may be spent on: investigating complaints; devising appropriate interventions; where necessary, preparing for legal action; and providing witnesses and victims with support. Other direct costs resulting from specialist interventions must also be considered: mediation; provision of support to anti-social households in order to change their behaviour; neighbourhood street warden services; and provision of diversionary activities such as outreach youth works.

The legal costs associated with interdicts, notices of seeking possession, possession summons and anti-social behaviour orders will vary widely according to whether in-house or commercial solicitors are used, the complexity of the case and whether or not the case is contested. On top of court and legal fees, court action may incur additional costs e.g. hiring professional witnesses, or supporting key witnesses in the lead up to the final hearing through the provision of temporary re-housing, etc.

Civica Cx Housing facilitates the recording and tracking of all such costs against each individual ASB case.

Separate help articles have been created for each key aspect of ASB cost management, including:

• To add an incurred cost to an ASB case
• To view the costs incurred within an ASB case