Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of regulations for making private landlords accountable for anti-social behaviour caused by their tenants; and whether he plans to introduce measures comparable to those applied to social landlords.

Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.

We will crack down on those making neighbourhoods feel unsafe and unwelcoming by introducing the new Respect Order, which local authorities will be able to apply for, and which will carry tough sanctions and penalties for persistent adult offenders.

The police, local authorities and social landlords may already apply for a Civil Injunction under Section 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to prevent behaviour that is causing housing-related nuisance and annoyance.

Landlords have powers to regain possession where necessary. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 shortened the notice period for the existing mandatory eviction ground (7A). Landlords can make a claim to the court immediately in all cases of anti-social behaviour. The Act also ensures judges in possession cases have particular regard to whether tenants have engaged with efforts to resolve their behaviour and the impact on other tenants within HMOs.

Under selective and HMO licensing, local authorities can also use licence conditions to require landlords to take steps to manage and deal with ASB caused by their tenants.