Anti-social behaviour policy
Most public housing tenants do the right thing, look after their homes and contribute positively to their local communities.
However, a small number of households engage in unacceptable behaviour, including:
- illegal activity
- deliberate damage to the public housing property
- unreasonably disturbing their neighbours.
From 1 July 2025, we are making changes to how we manage anti-social behaviour at public housing properties, to support peaceful and safe neighbourhoods, including ending tenancies where anti-social behaviour persists.
What the new policy means for me
Your responsibilities as a tenant are outlined in the State tenancy agreement you signed at the start of your tenancy. These responsibilities have not changed.
We expect that public housing tenants and household members do not disturb their neighbours by disruptive or dangerous behaviour and must not use the public housing property for illegal activity. This behaviour won’t be tolerated, and we will investigate and take action.
Public housing tenants are responsible for their behaviour and the behaviour of the people who live with them, their visitors, and anyone they allow to be on the property.
Key changes
We are taking stronger action when anti-social behaviour occurs in public housing.
The new policy will apply to:
- public housing tenants and their household occupants
- visitors
- other persons allowed by the tenant to be at the property.
Zero tolerance for severe behaviour
If a tenants’ behaviour or that of their household members is dangerous and/or illegal we will immediately end the tenancy. When this occurs, they can’t reapply for social housing for two years.
Progressive enforcement for serious and nuisance behaviour
If a tenants’ behaviour or that of their household members is intentionally or recklessly causing disturbance, they’ll receive 2 formal warnings and breach notices before their tenancy is ended on the third incident within 12 months.
Disturbances include:
- aggressive language
- harassment
- deliberate or reckless damage
- disturbing the peace, comfort and privacy of other tenants and neighbours.
Behaviour agreements will also be mandatory for tenants to commit to stopping anti-social behaviours and the consequences if they don’t.
For breaches relating to serious anti-social behaviour, they can’t reapply for social housing for 12 months.
If you have any concerns about how behaviours in your household are impacting your tenancy or you require support, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre.
We can provide information and refer you to support services if needed.
Action for severe, dangerous or illegal behaviour
There is an expectation that people living in public housing follow the rules of their tenancy and don't engage in behaviours or activities that are:
- illegal
- intentionally or recklessly cause danger
- cause a nuisance
- disturb others.
In cases of severe breaches, such as where illegal and dangerous anti-social behaviours are confirmed, we'll immediately end the tenancy.
Risk of eviction
We are committed to sustaining tenancies and won’t end public housing tenancies without good cause and careful consideration.
When tenants engage in severe or dangerous behaviours, we will end the tenancy and seek possession of the property.
Serious and general behaviours
Households in public housing whose tenancies are ended because of their behaviour may not be able to reapply for social housing for 12 months for serious behaviours, for general behaviours they will be offered a short-term, fixed term tenancy only, and must sign an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement.
They may be required to find and keep their own housing for a period of time before we accept an application for social housing.
Where tenants are issued with a Notice to Leave under the Anti-social Behaviour Policy, we will offer to work with them to consider alternative housing options, including help to access a rental property and referrals to support organisations.
Policy changes
We expect tenants and household members to be good neighbours and care for their public housing homes.
We set clear expectations of behaviour for public housing households and their visitors and will take action to address anti-social behaviour, including ending tenancies where anti-social behaviour persists and can be proven.
If a public housing tenant or their household engage in dangerous or illegal behaviour, their tenancy will end immediately and they won’t be able to reapply for social housing for 2 years.
Other measures will be used to address anti-social behaviour, such as:
- written warnings
- breach notices
- behaviour agreements.
Tenants are responsible for their own behaviour, as well as the behaviour of those living with them, their visitors, and anyone they allow on the property.
Reporting anti-social behaviour in public housing
To report incidents of disruptive behaviour by public housing tenants, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre.
You can also submit information through the online form.
Some complaints must first be reported to the relevant authority
You can contact the Queensland Police Service:
- for immediate safety concerns, triple zero (000)
- for suspected illegal activity
- if a neighbour is physically or verbally abusive to you
- if illegal substances are being used
- for incidents such as excessive noise or wild or rowdy parties.
Contact your local council for:
- excessive dog barking
- dangerous or roaming dogs.
The personal information of the person who made the complaint is treated as confidential wherever possible.
Protection from false accusations of disruptive behaviour
We investigate all complaints of disruptive behaviour, ensuring that only factual, accurate, truthful, and relevant information is considered.
When we receive a complaint, we consider the all the information provided. We may also seek further information from nearby residents. For alleged illegal or criminal activity, we may also contact the police for further information.
We will also talk to you about the complaint and get your side of the story.