Living in your Home

Pets:

If you do keep pets, you are also responsible for keeping them under control, making sure that they do not cause a nuisance to others and clearing up after them. If you have a dog, do not let it roam on its own, take it for regular walks on a lead and ensure that it does not foul public areas. Community Trust Housing will take action against you should you fail to keep control of your pets.

Neighbours:

An important part of any community is getting on with your neighbours. Your tenancy agreement gives you the right to occupy your home without interference from us, so long as you "comply with the terms of your agreement and have proper respect for the rights of other tenants and neighbours". All we ask is that you treat your neighbours as you would like to be treated yourself, having regard for their privacy and peace and quiet.

Noise and nuisance:

Noise is the most common form of nuisance. It is a term of your tenancy agreement that you will not "Create any noise so loudly that it causes nuisance and annoyance to neighbours".

If your neighbour is causing a nuisance you should firstly try to discuss it with them in such a way as to avoid conflict. In most cases they may not be aware that they are disturbing you. If the nuisance continues, report it to your housing officer, who will deal with it in accordance with our policies and procedures for noise and Nuisance or neighbour disputes.

We will aim to help resolve neighbour disputes wherever possible, however, firm and prompt action will be taken in dealing with disruptive tenants or any other persons causing a nuisance or harassment.

There are certain steps that you can do to avoid causing unnecessary noise and nuisance:

• keep your TV, radio or hi-fi etc, at a low volume, especially at night. (Use earphones if you like loud music)
• try not to slam doors
• avoid revving cars, vans or motorbikes - especially late at night
• avoid do-it-yourself (DIY) maintenance at unsociable hours (inform your neighbour in advance of what you are doing).
• keep pets under control
• warn people in advance if you are having a party (try to keep the volume down).
• in summer months if you are having a barbecue, let your neighbours know so that they can take in any washing they may have out.
• do not dump garden rubbish - take it to the local refuse tip.

Noisy parties and other constant noise problems may be dealt with by Lambeth Council's Environmental Health Officers, who can be contacted on 020 7926 6666. They have the power to not only take legal action, but to confiscate the Hi-fi or other equipment responsible for making the noise. You should however, inform your Housing Officer if your neighbours are constantly causing unnecessary noise or nuisance that spoils your peaceful enjoyment of your home. (See Community Trust Housing's policy and procedures for dealing with noise and nuisance)

Abandoned vehicles:

Abandoned vehicles are unsightly and attract vandalism, creating a danger to children. Where we are responsible for the road or parking area we will remove abandoned vehicles after leaving a notice on the vehicle, if we can trace the owner we will charge the cost of this to them. Where the road is a public highway the council is responsible for removing abandoned vehicles and it is best to report any direct to them. If you have a vehicle to dispose of, please arrange to do this responsibly.

Harassment and violence:

Your tenancy agreement states that "You will not commit or allow anyone living with or visiting you, to commit any form of harassment which may interfere with the peace and comfort of, or cause offence to, any other tenant, and member of their household, visitor, neighbour or employee of the Trust." Community Trust Housing will not tolerate, and will take prompt and effective action against all forms of violence (including domestic) and harassment occurring in or around our properties.