Local authority and police powers to close premises

The police or a local authority have powers to close premises for the purpose of dealing with, or preventing, public nuisance and disorder.[1]

In order to close premises, the police or local authority must issue both a:

• closure notice

• closure order

A closure order can prevent people from occupying a property, or part of a property. Closure orders normally apply for up to three months, but can sometimes be extended.

A closure notice prohibits access to the premises for the period specified in the notice.

Only the police or a local authority can initiate the process to close premises which are causing antisocial behaviour, if they reasonably believe that there is, or is likely to be either:[2]

• a nuisance to members of the public

• disorder relating to the premises and in its vicinity

In addition, the notice must be necessary to prevent occurrence or re-occurrence of the nuisance or disorder.

Before issuing a closure notice, the police or local authority must inform the owner, landlord and anyone living on the premises. They must also consult any person or agency they consider appropriate.

The notice must:

• state that access by any person other than the owner and someone 'habitually' living on the premises is prohibited

• state that failure to comply with the notice is a criminal offence

• provide details of where and when the Magistrates' Court will consider the notice for the purpose of issuing a closure order, and

• provide details of local organisations able to provide housing and legal advice

A notice is valid for a maximum of 48 hours. It can be cancelled or varied. In order to be confirmed as a closure order, the police or local authority must apply to the Magistrates' Court.

A closure order can prohibit access to the premises, or part of them:

• at all times, or at specified times only

• by everyone (including the tenant and other residents), or by specified persons only

A closure order can be made for a maximum of three months. However, the police or local authority can apply, before expiry of the original term, for an extension up to a (overall) maximum of six months.

A Magistrates' Court can make a closure order only if it is satisfied that:[3]

• a person has engaged, or is likely to engage, in disorder, antisocial or criminal behaviour on the premises

• the use of the premises is, or is likely to be, associated with disorder or nuisance to members of the public

• the order is necessary to prevent the occurrence, or re-occurrence, of the disorder, nuisance or antisocial/criminal behaviour

Breach of a closure order without reasonable excuse is a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment and/or a fine.[4]

In addition, breach of a closure order (prohibiting access to the tenant's property for more than 48 hours) by a secure or assured tenant, or by someone living in the property or visiting, can lead to eviction under the mandatory ground for antisocial behaviour.

A similar regime for the closure of premises is in force under Part 2A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. In relation to specified prostitution, pornography and child sex offences:

• the police can issue a closure notice[5]

• a Magistrates' Court can make a closure order for a period of up to six months[6]

The relevant legislation does not address the effect of a closure order on a tenant's rights and obligations under a tenancy agreement.

Occupiers made homeless by a closure order can make a homelessness application, although they may be considered intentionally homeless. It should be noted that a tenant's inability to control their children's behaviour might not justify an intentional homelessness decision.[7]

Although the rights under the European Convention on Human Rights have to be considered when making a closure order, it has been held that the making of such an order is a proportionate response to the misuse of premises for criminal activities.[8]

Benefit payments during absences from home

A tenant might be able to claim housing benefit or universal credit while they are temporarily absent from their home.

Find out about housing benefit during temporary absences from home and the universal credit housing costs element occupation condition on Shelter Legal.