Housing (Interim Management Orders) (Prescribed Circumstances) (England) Order 2006

The front is looking nervous, although I cannot actually see them. Apparently, there will be draft regulations, so we will be able to let you have copies of those. In terms of antisocial behaviour, the discretion is set out in the Act itself in relation to the interim management orders. Antisocial behaviour has to be significant and persistent. On that basis, we would not expect intermittent, casual behaviour. It has to be identifiable. ASBOs have become a more familiar part of the armoury against social disorder. Local authorities are getting more used to assessing levels of antisocial behaviour and determining the proportionate response, so there is a growing experience there. We are expecting that local authorities will draw on that and take a reasonable approach. However, they also have a clear set of criteria against which actions can be justified. They will have to be justified, because the residential property tribunal will be involved in determining issues of selective licensing. There has obviously got to be a careful and not a frivolous approach to this. Essentially, we are looking at putting in place the definition ““persistent and significant””. Again, monitoring will pick up any inconsistent behaviour. I have answered all the points that have been raised. I am very grateful for the work of the noble Baronesses over the years to see this into legislation. It is a careful set of regulatory requirements which will make a difference, particularly to vulnerable people. We look forward to seeing changes in living standards and expectations as a result.