Threshold reserves the right to accelerate the warning process, including issuing an immediate Notice to Quit, where behaviour presents a serious risk to residents, staff, visitors, neighbours or the wider community.
Each incident will be assessed on its individual circumstances, including severity, risk, vulnerability, previous incidents, engagement with support and safeguarding considerations.
Stages of warning process to be followed depending on severity of issue/incident:
| Stage | Action | Typical Outcome |
| Informal | Verbal discussion | Support/action plan |
| Stage 1 | Written warning | Monitoring |
| Stage 2 | Final warning + ABC | Formal behaviour contract |
| Stage 3 | NTQ | Move-on / eviction |
All discussions/letters should be recorded on Inform with explanations regarding why they have been issued as well as any support required alongside this to help manage tenancy - referrals/support from other agencies/safeguarding etc.
Where we suspect a room has been abandoned, a 7-day notice to quit will be issued and left in the resident’s room advising them to contact their support worker.
The ABC process is used where there is anti-social behaviour and/or a breach of licence.
STAGE 1: This is issued at the point of the person being identified as being responsible for causing or being involved in unacceptable behaviour or breaches of licence.
STAGE 2: This is issued at the point of the person being further identified as to being responsible for causing or being involved in unacceptable behaviour or breaches of licence and typically within 3 months of a Stage 1 warning letter already being issued. Stage 2 is the stage where an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) is being offered.
Please note that Stage 1 stays “live” for 3 months from date of issue and Stage 2/ABC stays “live” for 6 months from date of issue.
ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR CONTRACT: On receiving the stage 2 letter, the person concerned will be invited to a meeting where the ABC will be offered to them. The ABC is a formal contract with conditions set by all involved parties which could include Police, Probation, Council, and other services working with the person and the person themselves. Various offers of assistance will be noted on the contract as means to help the person involved to achieve any set conditions. The person involved will be asked to read, raise any concerns with the individual terms specified and sign the contract.A copy of which will provided to them for their records.If the ABC needs to be amended following concerns raised, then this action will be completed before signing.
Should the person in question refuse to engage and sign the contract then this offer of help will only be offered once more, after two refusals to sign then no further offers will be made, and the unsigned ABC will be used as evidence should further actions need to be taken.
The Contract will typically last for a six-month period from date of signing and the Support Worker will make regular contact through the life of the contract to address any issues using regular support sessions and monthly specific review meetings.
Should the person adhere to all the conditions set through-out the life of the contract then as near to the expiry date as possible the keyworker will arrange a final meeting to discuss how things have progressed and what if any further work is required.
However, if the person continues committing anti-social behaviour and/or breaching any of the set conditions then the contract can/will be extended on a rolling monthly basis for no more than 3 months with any further issues being used as evidence for further action to be taken.
STAGE 3 (Notice to Quit): This is issued when the person has been identified as causing further unacceptable behaviour or breaches of licence and not adhering with the conditions of the Acceptable Behaviour Contract. This letter is the formal notice asking to person to leave the accommodation within 28-days, in line with the licence agreement. Depending on the severity of the incident, this may be an immediate notice.
For example: Physical violence
- Punch/Kick/Weapon involved – Stage 3 (Immediate NTQ)
- Push/grab – Stage 2 final warning (ABC) or Stage 3 (Immediate NTQ) depending on severity
| Examples of Scheme Rule Breaches and Likely Enforcement Action | |
| Scheme Rule Breach | Likely Enforcement Action (“normally”,“may result in” etc.) |
| Failure to engage with support | Verbal discussion - Stage 1 warning if persistent |
| Repeated refusal to engage with support | Stage 2 final warning (ABC) and support review |
| Continued non-engagement impacting tenancy sustainment | Stage 3 warning (NTQ) |
| Property left insecure (doors/windows unlocked) | Verbal discussion or Stage 1 warning |
| Repeated security breaches placing residents/property at risk | Stage 2 final warning (ABC) |
| Deliberate or reckless damage to property | Stage 1 or Stage 2 final warning (ABC) depending on severity |
| Serious intentional damage/vandalism | Stage 2 final warning (ABC) or NTQ depending on severity |
| Poor cleanliness / waste accumulation | Verbal discussion - Stage 1 warning |
| Persistent cleanliness issues affecting others or creating health & safety concerns | Stage 2 final warning (ABC) or Stage 3 (NTQ) warning |
| Non-payment of rent/service charge | Support intervention and repayment plan |
| Persistent arrears/non-engagement with payment arrangements | Escalation in line with arrears process and possible NTQ |
| Keeping pets at the property | Stage 1 warning |
| Refusal to remove pets following warning | Stage 2 final warning (ABC) or Stage 3 (NTQ) warning |
| Storing or charging e-bikes/e-scooters at the property | Stage 1 or Stage 2 final warning (ABC) warning due to fire risk |
| Repeated breach relating to e-bikes/e-scooters | Stage 2 final warning (ABC) or NTQ consideration |
| Unauthorised overnight visitors | Stage 1 warning |
| Repeated visitor breaches or visitors causing disruption | Stage 2 final warning (ABC) or Stage 3 (NTQ) warning |
| Smoking inside the property | Warning process to be followed |
| Repeated smoking breaches indoors | Stage 2 final warning (ABC) or Stage 3 (NTQ) warning |
| Alcohol use on premises | Stage 2 final warning (ABC) |
| Repeat alcohol breach | NTQ consideration |
| Illegal drug use on premises | Stage 2 final warning (ABC) or Stage 3 NTQ depending on severity/risk |
| Drug supply/dealing | Immediate NTQ (Stage 3) |
| Anti-social behaviour (ASB) | Stage 1–3 warning process depending on severity |
| Serious ASB, threats, intimidation, or harassment | Final warning or immediate NTQ depending on risk |
| Violence/threats linked to substances | Immediate NTQ |
| Possession of weapons | Immediate NTQ and police involvement where appropriate |
