Closure Order granted to protect tenants from persistent antisocial behaviour | News

We’ve taken action to protect tenants affected by serious and ongoing antisocial behaviour at one of our properties.

Working in partnership with Bolton Council and Greater Manchester Police, our Neighbourhood Safety and Enforcement Team secured a Closure Order following a court hearing. This means no one is allowed to enter the property unless given permission by Bolton Council or Bolton at Home—and the offending tenant is leaving.

Closure Orders are only used when other approaches haven’t worked. They’re designed to stop serious disruption—such as drug-related activity and damage to shared spaces— and to restore safety and peace of mind for neighbours.

In this case, the offending tenant was vulnerable and was offered support, but they didn’t accept help or change their behaviour. Over time, the property became a source of distress for other tenants, who reported feeling anxious, unsafe, and unable to enjoy their homes.

We always aim to help people stay in their homes—but support must go hand in hand with responsibility. Everyone has a duty to respect their tenancy and their community. 

This outcome shows what’s possible when organisations work together to protect those who experience antisocial behaviour and uphold community standards. Thank you to those affected for their patience while this was resolved.

New powers for social housing providers in 2026

From next year, under proposed changes to the Crime and Policing Bill, social landlords like us should be able to apply for Closure Orders directly—without needing to rely on the police or council.

This change would mean: 

• Stronger legal tools to protect tenants
• Quicker action against serious antisocial behaviour
• Happier communities and safer neighbourhoods.

We’ll continue working to make sure our tenants feel safe, supported, and heard.

Find out more about how we tackle antisocial behaviour and tenancy breaches here: www.boltonathome.org.uk/tackling-asb