On 29 April 2026, the Crime and Policing Bill received Royal Assent and will now be known as the Crime and Policing Act 2026. It is anticipated that the legislation will come into force on 29 June 2026 however, this is yet to be confirmed. This Act represents a major shift in how antisocial behaviour (ASB) is tackled, with important implications for social housing landlords as follows:
Respect Orders
The Act introduces Respect Orders (RO), available to housing providers and local authorities (amongst others) in the High Court or County Court against individuals aged 18 or over. A court may make an order where it is satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that a person has engaged in, or threatens to engage in, ASB which is defined as conduct causing harassment, alarm or distress. Applications can be made on a without notice basis.
ROs allow a court to impose both prohibitions and requirements. This means individuals can be restricted from certain behaviour while also being required to take positive steps which will help them to address their behaviour, provided these do not interfere, so far as practicable, with employment, education or other court orders.
ROs also allow a Court to exclude someone from their home if that person has engaged in, or threatens to engage in, ASB which consists of or includes the use, or threatened use, of violence against other persons, or there is a significant risk of harm to other persons from the perpetrator.
Breach of a RO is a criminal offence, allowing the police to arrest immediately. This represents a step change from the current civil injunction, which lacks automatic arrest powers and can be difficult to enforce in fast moving ASB cases.
However, whilst ROs will have greater enforcement powers than the existing civil injunction, Ground 7A has not been amended to add proven breach of a RO as a standalone mandatory basis for possession.
Youth Injunctions and Housing Injunctions
Alongside ROs, the Act sits within a framework that continues to include youth injunctions and housing injunctions as distinct tools and amends the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime & Policing Act 2014.
Youth injunctions remain the mechanism for addressing ASB by those aged at least 10 and under the age of 18, recognising the need for measures that reflect safeguarding considerations and proportionality.
Housing Injunctions continue to apply where ASB relates to "housing related anti-social conduct". The Act appears to allow an overlap with ROs, which ensures that cases can be directed into the most suitable legal route without unnecessary duplication. For example, if a court is not minded to make a RO, it may use its discretion to grant a Housing Injunction.
Closure powers and premises linked to ASB
The Act has extended closure notice powers to registered providers of social housing (RPs). Previously, only local authorities and the police could issue closure notices to shut premises linked to serious ASB or disorder.
The timeframe for applying for a Closure Order following service of a closure notice has been extended from 48 to 72 hours.
The offence of cuckooing
The Act introduces a specific offence targeting cuckooing, often described as the takeover of a person’s home for criminal purposes.
This reflects a recognition within the legislation that ASB can overlap with exploitation, particularly where vulnerable individuals are targeted, and their homes are used for unlawful activity.
Whilst this will no doubt be a welcome change, it will be vital for those on the front line to be able to distinguish genuine victims of cuckooing and willing participants of a crime.
Data sharing
The Secretary of State will be able to require local bodies, including social housing providers, to share specified ASB data with central government.
This will improve data on ASB available for the government to assist in shaping policy.
Conclusion
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 signals a stronger and more consistent approach to tackling anti-social behaviour. For social housing landlords, it provides recognition of their central role in maintaining community safety, by supporting them with greater enhanced enforcement powers.
Social landlords should review and update their ASB policies, continue to build effective partnerships with police and local authorities, and ensure they are ready to meet increased expectations around information sharing.
