Hart District Council has announced that housing association VIVID, which operates across the district, will now be able to tackle anti-social behaviour directly without waiting for council intervention. As of 24 March 2026, the organisation has been given the power to issue warnings and notices for persistent problems such as loud noise, dog fouling, and intimidating behaviour to help make neighbourhoods safer.
This initiative makes Hart the first council in Hampshire to give these specific enforcement powers to a housing provider. Residents can expect faster resolutions to local issues, including drug-related nuisances and persistent disturbances that affect the quality of life in their streets.
The process requires that a person causing a nuisance receives a written warning before any formal legal action is taken. If the behaviour does not stop, the housing association can issue a formal Community Protection Notice (CPN). Failing to comply with a CPN is a criminal offence that can result in a 100 pound fixed penalty notice or prosecution.
Councillor Tina Collins described the partnership as a pioneering model that will help protect residents and keep the community welcoming. Beth Holmyard from VIVID said the new powers will allow the organisation to support its customers more effectively and resolve neighbourhood issues more quickly.
