Antisocial behaviour (ASB) remains a key topic of discussion in legal and parliamentary commentary, with further legislative developments anticipated in 2026
The Crime and Policing Bill
The Crime and Policing Bill is progressing through Parliament and is currently sitting at the House of Lords committee stage at the time of writing. The Bill aims to ‘tackle’ antisocial behaviour through the introduction of the Respect Orders, expanded authority for police and local agencies, and reinforcement of existing ASB powers (including permitting social housing providers to apply for Closure Orders).
These proposals are outlined in the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill ASB factsheet and form part of the wider Safer Streets Mission, which signals a more robust approach to persistent ASB. Social housing providers should closely monitor the Bill’s progress, as its passage is likely to have a significant impact on the legal framework governing ASB enforcement and related possession and injunction proceedings.
The Sentencing Act 2026
After gaining Royal Assent on 22 January 2026, the Sentencing Act 2026 (‘’the Act’’) also brings notable change for ASB cases that proceed to Court. The Act intends to shift the focus from custodial sentences to community-led punishments as a way tackle ASB and repeat offences. The Act will look to suspend shorter sentences (under 12 months) in favour of community sanctions and expand the use of suspended sentence orders for sentences of up to 3 years in some cases.
The Housing Ombudsman’s Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) consultation
Alongside legislative reform, the Housing Ombudsman has opened a consultation on Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs). The consultation seeks views from social housing providers and tenants on the initiation, and understanding of, complaints processes, fairness of current time limits and whether the Ombudsman’s planned approach to STAIRs investigations will provide improved outcomes.
The proposals are anticipated to provide social housing tenants with clearer rights to access information about how landlords manage housing services, including their handling of ASB reports. STAIRS is therefore likely to increase scrutiny of housing providers' ASB decision-making, potentially leading to an increase in complaints alongside possession or injunction proceedings. For social housing landlords being transparent and maintaining consistent ASB record keeping is even more critical in 2026.
This follows the Housing Ombudsman’s Annual Complaints Review 2024-25, in which ASB remained a prominent source of complaints, and of which a considerable proportion were upheld. The Ombudsman's Learning from Severe Maladministration report also highlighted recurrent failings in how landlords handle ASB, scrutinising poor risk assessments, action plans, and communication with tenants, all of which are central to the proper handling of ASB complaints.
ASB in 2026
Taken together, the Crime and Policing Bill, the Sentencing Act 2026 and the Housing Ombudsman’s STAIRs consultation, point towards a more transparent ASB landscape in 2026. Social housing providers can expect greater scrutiny of how ASB cases are investigated, escalated, and enforced, as well as greater expectations around record-keeping, and accountability.