Woman, 61, evicted over anti-social behaviour

Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) has become one of the first housing providers to successfully apply for the closure of a property due to the occupant's behaviour

Wakefield Magistrates' Court heard a successful application to close the property on Duke of York Avenue, Portobello.

As well as ordering the closure of the property, the court also issued an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) on the occupant, Ms Susan Harris which prohibits her from causing harassment, alarm and distress to any person, playing loud music from any other address, or approaching her neighbour.

The closure order prevents her from returning to the property.

"This closure is a great success for the local community," said WDH tenancy support officer Pc Ozzie Malik. "We have spent a lot of time building a case against the tenant after it became obvious that she was making life intolerable for her neighbours.

"We have spent many hours getting this result – from sitting in neighbours' homes 'till early in the morning recording the noise levels to taking statements and serving injunctions.

"On its own, a closure would mean that while she couldn't live in that particular home there was nothing stopping her moving-in somewhere nearby, but the restriction order means she can't be anywhere near the people she has previously upset."

WDH director Richard Forster said the closure was not only a testament to its commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour, but also to the very strong partnership it had with local Neighbourhood Policing Teams and Wakefield council's anti-social behaviour unit in its desire to make a difference to the lives of tenants.

Mr Forster said: "In this partnership, our approach is to intervene at the earliest opportunity to ensure that people are aware of the consequences of their actions and the damage their behaviour can cause to others.

"We work to offer support to those who need it most and promote positive behaviour to help tenancies be successful."