ASB and hate crime - what are they and our response | Tenant news

Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home and community, but we recognise that Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and hate crime - which can sometimes be linked - can leave people feeling vulnerable and unsure where to turn.

At Habinteg, we take these matters seriously, and we’ll act quickly to support you, and make our neighbourhoods safe for everyone.

What is ASB

ASB is when someone acts in a way that upsets, scares or disturbs other people.

This can include things like loud noise, threatening behaviour, damage to property, drug or alcohol misuse, or ongoing problems with neighbours.

Even if it’s not a crime, people’s behaviour can still have a serious impact on how safe and comfortable you feel in your home.

Neighbours can have different lifestyles, habits, and opinions, and sometimes this can cause minor problems. However, not every issue is considered anti-social behaviour.

Examples of what is not ASB includes:

• Children making noise while playing
• Babies crying
• Cooking smells
• Everyday household sounds, like doors closing or walking upstairs
• One-off parties (BBQs, birthdays, Christmas) that don’t cause a serious disturbance
• Differences in lifestyle or cultural practices
• Minor personal disagreements
• Putting rubbish out on the wrong day
• Parking in the wrong parking bay.

These situations are usually part of normal day-to-day living and are not something Habinteg can take formal action against.

What is hate crime?

The Home Office recorded 115,990 hate crimes reported to the police in England (and Wales) in 2025.

A hate crime is any criminal or abusive act that targets someone because of who they are or are perceived to be. It can make people feel unsafe, unwelcome, and isolated - even in their own home.

Hate crime can appear in many forms such as physical attacks and verbal abuse, online harassment, property damage, or graffiti.  It can include prejudice against disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or other protected characteristics.

Report the problem

Reporting hate crime and anti-social behaviour is important because it helps protect everyone and makes sure that anyone affected can get the support they need.

The easiest way to report hate crime or ASB to Habinteg is by using our online form. We aim to act promptly and there are three different time frames for us to agree an initial action plan depending on the seriousness of the report:

• one working day for high-risk cases
• five working days for medium-risk cases
• seven working days for low-risk cases

Tenants will receive the agreed actions in writing within six weeks.

If a person is in immediate danger or the issue constitutes criminal activity, you should report it directly to the Police.

To find out more, visit our website at www.habinteg.org.uk/asb.

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