Problems at home

We understand that home life is never perfect and from time to time problems can arise. It is important to know that you are not alone in your suffering and that there is plenty of help available to assist with your difficulties.

Domestic Violence

People often think of domestic violence as physical abuse but it can also apply to verbal, sexual or emotional harassment. It usually takes place in the home and anyone can be a victim - men, women, children and elderly people.

In an emergency you should call the Police 999 . They have specially trained Domestic Violence Officers who will handle the situation. The local Domestic Violence Officer can be contacted on 01322 283063 or you could call the national helpline which has been launched by the government (www.crimereduction.gov.uk) This provides support to people affected by domestic violence. The Freephone number is 0808 2000247 and sees the joining together of existing services from Women's Aid and Refuge. This number provides access to advice on 24 hour emergency refuge accommodation and an information service that includes safety planning and translation for non-English speakers.

The telephone number for the local Women's Aid is 01322 384792.

A new Kent-wide domestic abuse telephone information line has also been set up to provide victims of domestic abuse with information on who they can contact in their local area for advice and support services. This information line is available for anyone to access 24/7 and is run by Shepway Lifeline. The telephone number is 0845 603 6813.

The number will show up on an itemised phone bill as the 0845 number above, but there would be no text besides this saying what/who the number belonged to. If victims are likely to be put in danger if they have to explain items on their phone bill (or the abuser is likely to ring the number to see what it is) they should be advised to use public/agency phones to get the information from the phone line if necessary.

Details of the recently opened Dartford Domestic Abuse One Stop Shop is also available from this number. The shop runs every Tuesday morning at Dartford’s CAB with representatives from Dartford Borough Council’s housing serves, the police, Women’s Aid and Neves Scott Brand Solicitors all offering free advice on issues concerning domestic abuse.

Also, the fear of having no support or finding themselves homeless confronts many victims of domestic violence.

If the decision to leave is taken or you are considering such an action, you can speak to a Housing Advisor based at the Housing Advice Centre, Civic Centre in Dartford or phone 01322 343083/343082/343814.   

If you are homeless and the Council offices are closed, you should telephone the Council's Emergency Out of Hours service on 0845 6341212.

Useful numbers -

Anti-social Behaviour

Anti-social behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

Some aspects of anti-social behaviour are:

If you think you are being affected by anti-social behaviour (ASB) you should contact Housing Management (01322 343065) who are responsible for dealing with complaints of this nature and for ensuring all necessary action is taken until the case is resolved.  

Housing Services will accept complaints about ASB whether made by telephone, in writing or in person.   They can be made by the person affected by ASB or a third party on their behalf i.e. Social Worker, officer of a local residents' group or Councillor.

The group includes representatiaves from Dartford Borough Council, North Kent Police, KCC Social Services, KCC Youth and Community, KCC Eduation and KCC Youth Offending Service.   The group takes action, where appropriate, to address anti-social behaviour incidents in the Borough.

Acceptable Behaviour Agreements - Anti-social behaviour is caused by people of all ages.   Legal action is often not appropriate or fast enough.

An Acceptable Behaviour AGreement is an early intervention procedure which is currently used to sign up individuals causing anti-social behaviour.

Anti-social Behaviour Orders - ASBOs prevent the person responsible for committing behaviour continuing to cause distress, harassment or alarm and keep offenders out of particular areas. Orders are seen as the final step if all other forms of intervention have failed.

Nuisance And Harassment

Your Tenancy Agreement sets out obligations and responsibilities for living as part of the community. Above all, tenants are expected to show respect and tolerance. Housing Services will take action against instances of nuisance or harassment under the terms of the Tenancy Agreement and also in conjunction with the police and other agencies, in accordance with the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Nuisance - examples of nuisance behaviour include playing loud music, arguing and swearing, dogs barking and fouling, offensive drunkeness, dumping rubbish, playing ball games close to someone's house or any criminal activity.

If you are disturbed by the behaviour of a neighbour or their family or guests, begin by speaking politely to them. They may not be aware that they are causing a problem. If this does not work:

We will discuss matters with you and your neighbour to try and sort out the problem or may refer your complaint to a mediation service with your agreement.

If there is still no improvement and where the nuisance is serious, legal action may be taken and you may have to go to Court as a witness. If you have kept written details, this will greatly help the case.

For Court action to be considered, at least two complainants need to be prepared to go to Court as witnesses and if the case is to succeed, there must be enough evidence.

Harassment - Harassment may be a criminal offence and Housing Services will act very quickly to stop people who victimise others or those who discriminate against others without justification.

Examples of harassment include abusive behaviour and language, using or threatening to use violence, damaging or threatening to damage another person's home, writing threatening, abusive or insulting graffiti. Interfering with the peace, comfort or convenience of other people.

Mediation Service

There are times when neighbours don't always get along together.  

The Council always tries to help resolve disputes in a friendly and calm manner in the first instance and we work with neighbours to help them arrive at a solution that meets the need of both groups.   But there are occasions when some extra help or independent advice is needed.  

M.I.N.K (Mediation in North Kent) is now working in partnership with the Council to provide a service to help resolve disputes.   This is a FREE service based in the community and works INDEPENDENTLY of other agencies e.g. police and social services.

The mediation process aims to help people involved to reach an agreement that satisfies everyone.   The volunteer mediators will not take sides and all conversations are strictly confidential.

They will:

If you think that this service could help you with a neighbour problem, please call them on:

01322 383311

or leave a message if no-one is there

The address is:

6 The Parade,
Swanscombe
Kent
DA10 0AJ
e-mail:  mediationinnorthkent@hotmail.com


If you need to speak to us about your housing issues there are many ways that you can do it:

Dartford Borough Council
Civic Centre
Home Gardens
Dartford, Kent
DA1 1DR

Chat online with one of our officers:Live Support

View properties:

Check (eCitizen service):

PDF Forms to download:

Documents and policies:

Contact:

Copyright © 2008 Dartford Borough Council If only all councils were like Dartford