Housing

Acceptable Behaviour Contracts

What is an Acceptable Behaviour Contract?

An Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) is a written agreement between you and your parent/guardian, and us and the police. By signing the contract you are agreeing that you will not act antisocially in the future. The contract tells you what type of behaviour you promise not to take part in.

Why am I being asked to sign an Acceptable Behaviour Contract?

You have been found to have acted in a way which has caused other residents harassment, alarm, nuisance or distress. We will not allow this type of behaviour and wants to make sure that you understand this. By signing the ABC you are showing that you understand what types of behaviour we/police will not allow.

It is also a promise between you, your parent/guardian and the police and us that you will not act antisocially in the future. The contract also makes it clear what action will be taken against you or others, if you break the agreement.

What happens if I break the contract?

If you do something the contract does not allow, we may:

1. Ask a Magistrates Court for an Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO) against you.

An Antisocial Behaviour Order is an order made by a court which tells you what type of behaviour you must not take part in. If, after the court makes an ASBO against you, you do something which the court has told you that you should not do, you can be imprisoned for up to 6 months or be fined.

2. Take legal action against the tenancy of someone who should be responsible for your behaviour.

If the person you live with (or visit) rents their home from us, they have rules that they should follow called 'Conditions of Tenancy'. One of these rules is that the tenant of a Council property should make sure that everyone who lives with them or visits them behaves properly.

If you do something which the Acceptable Behaviour Contract says you should not do, we may ask a court to take that persons home away from them. The Contract you are being asked to sign shows that you understand this.

How long does the Acceptable Behaviour Contract last for?

An ABC usually lasts for 6 months. However, if we and the police do not think that you have behaved properly during this time, the Contract time can be made longer.

Where must I behave myself?

You should not break the Acceptable Behaviour Contract anywhere in the borough.

Who will be checking that I behave?

A copy of the ABC will be kept by the police and us. You will have broken the agreement if either we or the Police get complaints about your behaviour. We will take action if these complaints are proved to be true.

What happens if I will not sign the Acceptable Behaviour Contract?

You do not have to sign the ABC. However, we and the police can still apply to court for an Antisocial Behaviour Order against you or take legal action against the tenancy of someone who is responsible for your behaviour.

By signing the ABC you are showing that you understand what behaviour is expected from you in the future. This is also a chance for you to change your behaviour before further action (like an ASBO) is taken.

Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) Form PDF 51K