New ASB guidance published: what housing providers need to know

The Home Office has now published revised statutory guidance for frontline professionals ready for the implementation of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 on 26 10 26. 

While the legislation introduces significant changes to the anti-social behaviour (ASB) framework (closure orders extended to housing associations and changes to the criteria for and enforcement of ASB injunctions), the guidance provides much-needed insight into how those powers should be used.

The guidance clearly signals the Government's expectations around enforcement and decision-making. Key themes include:

• A stronger victim-centred approach.
• Increased use of Respect Orders (being extended to housing associations).
• Greater emphasis on safeguarding and vulnerability.
• Recognition of cuckooing as a form of exploitation requiring careful handling.
• Enhanced partnership working between agencies.
• Expanded enforcement powers for accredited officers. 

Mandatory risk assessments

The most significant content perhaps relates to risk assessments.

The guidance confirms that a risk assessment must be completed before applying for any of the new or amended injunctions, namely the Respect Order, Youth Injunction or Housing Injunction. The assessment must consider:

1. the risk of any person being caused harassment, alarm or distress by the respondent’s conduct, 
2. any vulnerabilities of the respondent, 
3. any alternative means of preventing the respondent from engaging in anti-social behaviour, and 
4. such other matters as the relevant authority considers relevant.

Importantly, the guidance describes the assessment process as ‘flexible’, leaving individual authorities free to determine the format and level of detail required. Annex B of the guidance includes a useful example risk assessment. 

The guidance confirms that there is no requirement for the risk assessment checklist itself to be provided to the court. However, the guidance encourages landlords to consider doing so, to prove they have done the risk assessment and to help enable the court to fully understand the circumstances of the case when deciding whether to make an order.

What does this mean for housing providers?

For registered providers, the message is clear: effective ASB management is about more than enforcement alone.

The guidance reinforces the importance of balancing robust action against perpetrators with careful consideration of vulnerability, safeguarding concerns and the wider needs of victims and communities. It also reflects the increasing expectation that landlords work closely with partner agencies when responding to anti-social behaviour, particularly where exploitation or complex support needs are identified.

In practice, the revised guidance is likely to influence how housing providers assess risk, gather evidence and determine the most appropriate enforcement tool in each case.

Action needed

Housing providers should therefore take the opportunity to review existing ASB policies and procedures. Introduce or review risk assessment processes to ensure they align with this guidance 

For further information on the changes introduced by the Crime and Policing Act 2026, including Respect Orders, Closure Orders and cuckooing provisions, see our previous blogs:

• Crime and Policing Act 2026
• Using Closure Orders to tackle persistent ASB
• Crime and Policing Act – CPR changes
• Respect Orders confirmed from 26 October 2026

For further information, please contact Banita Gogia or Rebecca Sembuuze.