Irwell Valley’s Managing Director Neighbourhoods, Angela Raftery and Neighbourhood Manager, Michael Sinnott tell BBC court procedures need to be speeded up to evict problem tenants.
Irwell Valley’s action with Greater Manchester Police to evict a tenant from one of their properties for anti-social behaviour underlines the organisation’s commitment to creating safe and peaceful neighbourhoods and protecting law-abiding residents.
It also highlights the work of Irwell Valley’s Neighbourhood Management Team and the legal processes that have to be followed to secure an eviction.
Irwell Valley’s Media Department contacted BBC Radio Manchester to offer listeners an insight into what is involved to re-gain possession of a property where there is unlawful and anti-social behaviour and how the legal processes operate.
Michael Sinnott's interview with Mat Trewern, BBC Radio Manchester
Irwell Valley began proceedings against the man, who was using the house in Bury as a drugs den, on February 28 after receiving a number of complaints about anti-social behaviour at the house on Rake Street.
After the tenant failed to leave within the 28-day notice period, Irwell Valley applied for an emergency eviction order.
It took until 15 April to obtain a magistrates' eviction order - by which time the house had been vandalised and stripped of anything of value.
The interview with Michael Sinnott, Irwell Valley’s Neighbourhood Manager and a resident affected by the anti-social behaviour of his neighbour was played throughout Beswick at Breakfast on Wednesday May 4 and sparked such a positive response from listeners – as well as the station – that it became the peg for a ‘phone-in on nuisance neighbours in the Heather Stott Show following Beswick at Breakfast.
Angela Raftery told Heather during the ‘phone in that Irwell Valley had made attempts to change the offender’s behaviour and issued warnings before starting legal proceedings for an eviction. She said the procedure needed to be speeded up and social landlords given extra powers to secure an eviction so that law abiding residents can enjoy living safe and peacefully in their homes and communities.
In January, Housing Minister Grant Shapps announced proposals that would see tenants with a track record of anti-social behaviour being evicted more quickly.