organised crime
What is organised crime in the context of Supported Housing?
Whether tenants are using illegal drugs, selling illegal drugs, or producing illegal drugs, it’s a fact that illegal drugs blight communities. They are also linked to organised crime. Sadly, landlords are sometimes forced to deal with the problems caused by tenants and illegal drugs. In the case of supported housing, properties or rooms can potentially be used to grow illegal drugs, sell drugs, prostitution and the list goes on.
It is our responsibility as a support provider to make sure such activities do not take place in our services.
The main signs to watch out for include:
- Illegal drug paraphernalia in evidence when you carry out a property inspection
- The smell of cannabis or complaints from neighbours about the smell of cannabis
- Neighbours report a lot of visitors to the property, especially late at night
- Housemates report illegal drug use in an HMO
- Antisocial behaviour issues – illegal drug using tenants are often paranoid, irritable, aggressive, and generally unpleasant to be around
- Tenant stops paying service charge
- Tenant reluctant to grant access to their room for inspections or maintenance
Birmingham Housing has a duty of care to ensure its residents don’t cause problems in the local community. If the worst does happen despite our best efforts, an immediate eviction will be issued, and the local authorities notified to take further action helping to prevent any further effect on the wider community.
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