Part 1 Premises where drugs used unlawfully

1 Closure notice

(1) This section applies to premises if a police officer not below the rank of superintendent (the authorising officer) has reasonable grounds for believing—

(a) that at any time during the relevant period the premises have been used in connection with the unlawful use, production or supply of a Class A controlled drug, and

(b) that the use of the premises is associated with the occurrence of disorder or serious nuisance to members of the public.

(2) The authorising officer may authorise the issue of a closure notice in respect of premises to which this section applies if he is satisfied—

(a) that the local authority for the area in which the premises are situated has been consulted;

(b) that reasonable steps have been taken to establish the identity of any person who lives on the premises or who has control of or responsibility for or an interest in the premises.

(3) An authorisation under subsection (2) may be given orally or in writing, but if it is given orally the authorising officer must confirm it in writing as soon as it is practicable.

(4) A closure notice must—

(a) give notice that an application will be made under section 2 for the closure of the premises;

(b) state that access to the premises by any person other than a person who habitually resides in the premises or the owner of the premises is prohibited;

(c) specify the date and time when and the place at which the application will be heard;

(d) explain the effects of an order made in pursuance of section 2;

(e) state that failure to comply with the notice amounts to an offence;

(f) give information about relevant advice providers.

(5) The closure notice must be served by a constable.

(6) Service is effected by—

(a) fixing a copy of the notice to at least one prominent place on the premises,

(b) fixing a copy of the notice to each normal means of access to the premises,

(c) fixing a copy of the notice to any outbuildings which appear to the constable to be used with or as part of the premises,

(d) giving a copy of the notice to at least one person who appears to the constable to have control of or responsibility for the premises, and

(e) giving a copy of the notice to the persons identified in pursuance of subsection (2)(b) and to any other person appearing to the constable to be a person of a description mentioned in that subsection.

(7) The closure notice must also be served on any person who occupies any other part of the building or other structure in which the premises are situated if the constable reasonably believes at the time of serving the notice under subsection (6) that the person’s access to the other part of the building or structure will be impeded if a closure order is made under section 2.

(8) It is immaterial whether any person has been convicted of an offence relating to the use, production or supply of a controlled drug.

(9) The Secretary of State may by regulations specify premises or descriptions of premises to which this section does not apply.

(10) The relevant period is the period of three months ending with the day on which the authorising officer considers whether to authorise the issue of a closure notice in respect of the premises.

(11) Information about relevant advice providers is information about the names of and means of contacting persons and organisations in the area that provide advice about housing and legal matters.

2 Closure order

(1) If a closure notice has been issued under section 1 a constable must apply under this section to a magistrates' court for the making of a closure order.

(2) The application must be heard by the magistrates' court not later than 48 hours after the notice was served in pursuance of section 1(6)(a).

(3) The magistrates' court may make a closure order if and only if it is satisfied that each of the following paragraphs applies—

(a) the premises in respect of which the closure notice was issued have been used in connection with the unlawful use, production or supply of a Class A controlled drug;

(b) the use of the premises is associated with the occurrence of disorder or serious nuisance to members of the public;

(c) the making of the order is necessary to prevent the occurrence of such disorder or serious nuisance for the period specified in the order.

(4) A closure order is an order that the premises in respect of which the order is made are closed to all persons for such period (not exceeding three months) as the court decides.

(5) But the order may include such provision as the court thinks appropriate relating to access to any part of the building or structure of which the premises form part.

(6) The magistrates' court may adjourn the hearing on the application for a period of not more than 14 days to enable—

(a) the occupier of the premises,

(b) the person who has control of or responsibility for the premises, or

(c) any other person with an interest in the premises,

to show why a closure order should not be made.

(7) If the magistrates' court adjourns the hearing under subsection (6) it may order that the closure notice continues in effect until the end of the period of the adjournment.

(8) A closure order may be made in respect of all or any part of the premises in respect of which the closure notice was issued.

(9) It is immaterial whether any person has been convicted of an offence relating to the use, production or supply of a controlled drug.

3 Closure order: enforcement

(1) This section applies if a magistrates' court makes an order under section 2.

(2) A constable or an authorised person may—

(a) enter the premises in respect of which the order is made;

(b) do anything reasonably necessary to secure the premises against entry by any person.

(3) A person acting under subsection (2) may use reasonable force.

(4) But a constable or authorised person seeking to enter the premises for the purposes of subsection (2) must, if required to do so by or on behalf of the owner, occupier or other person in charge of the premises, produce evidence of his identity and authority before entering the premises.

(5) A constable or authorised person may also enter the premises at any time while the order has effect for the purpose of carrying out essential maintenance of or repairs to the premises.

(6) In this section and in section 4 an authorised person is a person authorised by the chief officer of police for the area in which the premises are situated.

4 Closure of premises: offences

(1) A person commits an offence if he remains on or enters premises in contravention of a closure notice.

(2) A person commits an offence if—

(a) he obstructs a constable or an authorised person acting under section 1(6) or 3(2),

(b) he remains on premises in respect of which a closure order has been made, or

(c) he enters the premises.

(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction—

(a) to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or

(b) to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale,

or to both such imprisonment and fine.

(4) But a person does not commit an offence under subsection (1) or subsection (2)(b) or (c) if he has a reasonable excuse for entering or being on the premises (as the case may be).

(5) A constable in uniform may arrest a person he reasonably suspects of committing or having committed an offence under this section.

5 Extension and discharge of closure order

(1) At any time before the end of the period for which a closure order is made or extended a constable may make a complaint to an appropriate justice of the peace for an extension or further extension of the period for which it has effect.

(2) But a complaint must not be made unless it is authorised by a police officer not below the rank of superintendent—

(a) who has reasonable grounds for believing that it is necessary to extend the period for which the closure order has effect for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of disorder or serious nuisance to members of the public, and

(b) who is satisfied that the local authority has been consulted about the intention to make the complaint.

(3) If a complaint is made to a justice of the peace under subsection (1) the justice may issue a summons directed to—

(a) the persons on whom the closure notice relating to the closed premises was served under subsection (6)(d) or (e) or (7) of section 1;

(b) any other person who appears to the justice to have an interest in the closed premises but on whom the closure notice was not served,

requiring such person to appear before the magistrates' court to answer to the complaint.

(4) If the court is satisfied that the order is necessary to prevent the occurrence of disorder or serious nuisance for a further period it may extend the period for which the order has effect by a period not exceeding three months.

(5) But a closure order must not have effect for more than six months.

(6) Any of the following persons may make a complaint to an appropriate justice of the peace for an order that a closure order is discharged—

(a) a constable;

(b) the local authority;

(c) a person on whom the closure notice relating to the closed premises was served under subsection (6)(d) or (e) or (7) of section 1;

(d) a person who has an interest in the closed premises but on whom the closure notice was not served.

(7) If a complaint is made under subsection (6) by a person other than a constable the justice may issue a summons directed to such constable as he thinks appropriate requiring the constable to appear before the magistrates' court to answer to the complaint.

(8) The court must not make an order discharging a closure order unless it is satisfied that the closure order is no longer necessary to prevent the occurrence of disorder or serious nuisance to members of the public.

(9) If a summons is issued in accordance with subsection (3) or (7), a notice stating the date, time and place at which the complaint will be heard must be served on—

(a) the persons to whom the summons is directed if it is issued under subsection (3);

(b) the persons mentioned in subsection (6)(c) and (d) (except the complainant) if the summons is issued under subsection (7);

(c) such constable as the justice thinks appropriate (unless he is the complainant);

(d) the local authority (unless they are the complainant).

(10) An appropriate justice of the peace is a justice of the peace acting for the petty sessions area in which the premises in respect of which a closure order is made are situated.

6 Appeals

(1) This section applies to—

(a) an order under section 2 or 5;

(b) a decision by a court not to make an order under either of those sections.

(2) An appeal against an order or decision to which this section applies must be brought to the Crown Court before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the order or decision is made.

(3) An appeal against an order under section 2 or 5(4) may be brought by—

(a) a person on whom the closure notice relating to the closed premises was served under section 1(6)(d) or (e);

(b) a person who has an interest in the closed premises but on whom the closure notice was not served.

(4) An appeal against the decision of a court not to make such an order may be brought by—

(a) a constable;

(b) the local authority.

(5) On an appeal under this section the Crown Court may make such order as it thinks appropriate.

7 Access to other premises

(1) This section applies to any person who occupies or owns any part of a building or structure—

(a) in which closed premises are situated, and

(b) in respect of which the closure order does not have effect.

(2) A person to whom this section applies may at any time while a closure order has effect apply to—

(a) the magistrates' court in respect of an order made under section 2 or 5;

(b) the Crown Court in respect of an order made under section 6.

(3) If an application is made under this section notice of the date, time and place of the hearing to consider the application must be given to every person mentioned in section 5(6).

(4) On an application under this section the court may make such order as it thinks appropriate in relation to access to any part of a building or structure in which closed premises are situated.

(5) It is immaterial whether any provision has been made as mentioned in section 2(5).

8 Reimbursement of costs

(1) A police authority or a local authority which incurs expenditure for the purpose of clearing, securing or maintaining the premises in respect of which a closure order has effect may apply to the court which made the order for an order under this section.

(2) On an application under this section the court may make such order as it thinks appropriate in the circumstances for the reimbursement (in full or in part) by the owner of the premises of the expenditure mentioned in subsection (1).

(3) But an application for an order under this section must not be entertained unless it is made not later than the end of the period of three months starting with the day the closure order ceases to have effect.

(4) An application under this section must be served on—

(a) the police authority for the area in which the premises are situated if the application is made by the local authority;

(b) the local authority if the application is made by a police authority;

(c) the owner of the premises.

9 Exemption from liability for certain damages

(1) A constable is not liable for relevant damages in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him in the performance or purported performance of his functions under this Part.

(2) A chief officer of police is not liable for relevant damages in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by a constable under his direction or control in the performance or purported performance of the constable’s functions under this Part.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply—

(a) if the act or omission is shown to have been in bad faith;

(b) so as to prevent an award of damages made in respect of an act or omission on the ground that the act or omission was unlawful by virtue of section 6(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998 (c. 42).

(4) This section does not affect any other exemption from liability for damages (whether at common law or otherwise).

(5) Relevant damages are damages in proceedings for judicial review or for the tort of negligence or misfeasance in public duty.

10 Compensation

(1) This section applies to any person who incurs financial loss in consequence of—

(a) the issue of a closure notice, or

(b) a closure order having effect.

(2) A person to whom this section applies may apply to—

(a) the magistrates' court which considered the application for a closure order;

(b) the Crown Court if the closure order was made or extended by an order made by that Court on an appeal under section 6.

(3) An application under this section must not be entertained unless it is made not later than the end of the period of three months starting with whichever is the later of—

(a) the day the court decides not to make a closure order;

(b) the day the Crown Court dismisses an appeal against a decision not to make a closure order;

(c) the day a closure order ceases to have effect.

(4) On an application under this section the court may order the payment of compensation out of central funds if it is satisfied—

(a) that the person had no connection with the use of the premises as mentioned in section 1(1),

(b) if the person is the owner or occupier of the premises, that he took reasonable steps to prevent the use,

(c) that the person has incurred financial loss as mentioned in subsection (1), and

(d) having regard to all the circumstances it is appropriate to order payment of compensation in respect of that loss.

(5) Central funds has the same meaning as in enactments providing for the payment of costs.

11 Interpretation

(1) References to a controlled drug and (however expressed) to the production or supply of a controlled drug must be construed in accordance with the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (c. 38).

(2) A Class A controlled drug is a controlled drug which is a Class A drug within the meaning of section 2 of that Act.

(3) Premises includes—

(a) any land or other place (whether enclosed or not);

(b) any outbuildings which are or are used as part of the premises.

(4) A closure notice is a notice issued under section 1.

(5) A closure order is—

(a) an order made under section 2;

(b) an order extended under section 5;

(c) an order made or extended under section 6 which has the like effect as an order made or extended under section 2 or 5 (as the case may be).

(6) Each of the following is a local authority in relation to England—

(a) a district council;

(b) a London borough council;

(c) a county council for an area for which there is no district council;

(d) the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority;

(e) the Council of the Isles of Scilly.

(7) Each of the following is a local authority in relation to Wales—

(a) a county council;

(b) a county borough council.

(8) References to a local authority are to the local authority for the area in which premises—

(a) to which a closure notice applies are situated;

(b) in respect of which a closure order has effect are situated.

(9) Closed premises are premises in respect of which a closure order has effect.

(10) A person is the owner of premises if either of the following paragraphs applies to him—

(a) he is a person (other than a mortgagee not in possession) who is for the time being entitled to dispose of the fee simple in the premises, whether in possession or in reversion;

(b) he is a person who holds or is entitled to the rents and profits of the premises under a lease which (when granted) was for a term of not less than three years.

(11) This section applies for the purposes of this Part.

Part 2 Housing

12 Anti-social behaviour: landlords' policies and procedures

(1) In Part 8 of the Housing Act 1996 (c. 52) before section 219 (power of Secretary of State to give directions as to certain charges by social landlords) there is inserted the following section—

“218A Anti-social behaviour: landlords' policies and procedures

(1) This section applies to the following landlords—

(a) a local housing authority;

(b) a housing action trust;

(c) a registered social landlord.

(2) The landlord must prepare—

(a) a policy in relation to anti-social behaviour;

(b) procedures for dealing with occurrences of anti-social behaviour.

(3) The landlord must not later than 6 months after the commencement of section 12 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 publish a statement of the policy and procedures prepared under subsection (2).

(4) The landlord must from time to time keep the policy and procedures under review and, when it thinks appropriate, publish a revised statement.

(5) A copy of a statement published under subsection (3) or (4)—

(a) must be available for inspection at all reasonable hours at the landlord’s principal office;

(b) must be provided on payment of a reasonable fee to any person who requests it.

(6) The landlord must also—

(a) prepare a summary of its current policy and procedures;

(b) provide without charge a copy of the summary to any person who requests it.

(7) In preparing and reviewing the policy and procedures the landlord must have regard to guidance issued—

(a) by the Secretary of State in the case of a local housing authority or a housing action trust;

(b) by the Relevant Authority under section 36 in the case of a registered social landlord.

(8) Anti-social behaviour is any conduct to which section 153A or 153B applies.

(9) Relevant Authority has the same meaning as in Part 1.”

(2) In section 36(2) of that Act (functions of the Housing Corporation relating to guidance and corresponding functions relating to Wales) after paragraph (h) there is inserted the following paragraph—

“(i) the policy and procedures a landlord is required under section 218A to prepare and from time to time revise in connection with anti-social behaviour.”

13 Injunctions against anti-social behaviour on application of certain social landlords

(1) The Housing Act 1996 (c. 52) is amended as follows.

(2) Sections 152 (power to grant injunctions against anti-social behaviour) and 153 (power of arrest for breach of certain injunctions against anti-social behaviour) are omitted.

(3) Before section 154 (power of arrest in ex parte applications) there are inserted the following sections—

“153A Anti-social behaviour injunction

(1) This section applies to conduct—

(a) which is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to any person, and

(b) which directly or indirectly relates to or affects the housing management functions of a relevant landlord.

(2) The court on the application of a relevant landlord may grant an injunction (an anti-social behaviour injunction) if each of the following two conditions is satisfied.

(3) The first condition is that the person against whom the injunction is sought is engaging, has engaged or threatens to engage in conduct to which this section applies.

(4) The second condition is that the conduct is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to any of the following—

(a) a person with a right (of whatever description) to reside in or occupy housing accommodation owned or managed by the relevant landlord;

(b) a person with a right (of whatever description) to reside in or occupy other housing accommodation in the neighbourhood of housing accommodation mentioned in paragraph (a);

(c) a person engaged in lawful activity in or in the neighbourhood of housing accommodation mentioned in paragraph (a);

(d) a person employed (whether or not by the relevant landlord) in connection with the exercise of the relevant landlord’s housing management functions.

(5) It is immaterial where conduct to which this section applies occurs.

(6) An anti-social behaviour injunction prohibits the person in respect of whom it is granted from engaging in conduct to which this section applies.

153B Injunction against unlawful use of premises

(1) This section applies to conduct which consists of or involves using or threatening to use housing accommodation owned or managed by a relevant landlord for an unlawful purpose.

(2) The court on the application of the relevant landlord may grant an injunction prohibiting the person in respect of whom the injunction is granted from engaging in conduct to which this section applies.

153C Injunctions: exclusion order and power of arrest

(1) This section applies if the court grants an injunction under subsection (2) of section 153A or 153B and it thinks that either of the following paragraphs applies—

(a) the conduct consists of or includes the use or threatened use of violence;

(b) there is a significant risk of harm to a person mentioned in section 153A(4).

(2) The court may include in the injunction a provision prohibiting the person in respect of whom it is granted from entering or being in—

(a) any premises specified in the injunction;

(b) any area specified in the injunction.

(3) The court may attach a power of arrest to any provision of the injunction.

153D Injunction against breach of tenancy agreement

(1) This section applies if a relevant landlord applies for an injunction against a tenant in respect of the breach or anticipated breach of a tenancy agreement on the grounds that the tenant—

(a) is engaging or threatening to engage in conduct that is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to any person, or

(b) is allowing, inciting or encouraging any other person to engage or threaten to engage in such conduct.

(2) The court may proceed under subsection (3) or (4) if it is satisfied—

(a) that the conduct includes the use or threatened use of violence, or

(b) that there is a significant risk of harm to any person.

(3) The court may include in the injunction a provision prohibiting the person in respect of whom it is granted from entering or being in—

(a) any premises specified in the injunction;

(b) any area specified in the injunction.

(4) The court may attach a power of arrest to any provision of the injunction.

(5) Tenancy agreement includes any agreement for the occupation of residential accommodation owned or managed by a relevant landlord.

153E Injunctions: supplementary

(1) This section applies for the purposes of sections 153A to 153D.

(2) An injunction may—

(a) be made for a specified period or until varied or discharged;

(b) have the effect of excluding a person from his normal place of residence.

(3) An injunction may be varied or discharged by the court on an application by—

(a) the person in respect of whom it is made;

(b) the relevant landlord.

(4) If the court thinks it just and convenient it may grant or vary an injunction without the respondent having been given such notice as is otherwise required by rules of court.

(5) If the court acts under subsection (4) it must give the person against whom the injunction is made an opportunity to make representations in relation to the injunction as soon as it is practicable for him to do so.

(6) The court is the High Court or a county court.

(7) Each of the following is a relevant landlord—

(a) a housing action trust;

(b) a local authority (within the meaning of the Housing Act 1985);

(c) a registered social landlord.

(8) A charitable housing trust which is not a registered social landlord is also a relevant landlord for the purposes of section 153D.

(9) Housing accommodation includes—

(a) flats, lodging-houses and hostels;

(b) any yard, garden, outhouses and appurtenances belonging to the accommodation or usually enjoyed with it;

(c) in relation to a neighbourhood, the whole of the housing accommodation owned or managed by a relevant landlord in the neighbourhood and any common areas used in connection with the accommodation.

(10) A landlord owns housing accommodation if either of the following paragraphs applies to him—

(a) he is a person (other than a mortgagee not in possession) who is for the time being entitled to dispose of the fee simple in the premises, whether in possession or in reversion;

(b) he is a person who holds or is entitled to the rents and profits of the premises under a lease which (when granted) was for a term of not less than three years.

(11) The housing management functions of a relevant landlord include—

(a) functions conferred by or under any enactment;

(b) the powers and duties of the landlord as the holder of an estate or interest in housing accommodation.

(12) Harm includes serious ill-treatment or abuse (whether physical or not).”

(4) In section 154—

(a) in subsection (1) for “section 152(6) or section 153” there is substituted “section 153C(3) or 153D(4)”;

(b) in subsection (1)(b) for “152(1)(a) or section 153(5)(a)” there is substituted “section 153A(4)”.

(5) In section 155—

(a) in subsection (1) for “section 152(6) or section 153” there is substituted “section 153C(3) or 153D(4)”;

(b) in subsection (3) for “section 152(6) or section 153” there is substituted “section 153C(3) or 153D(4)”.

(6) In section 157—

(a) in subsection (1) for “section 152(6) or section 153” there is substituted “section 153C(3) or 153D(4)”;

(b) in subsection (3) for “section 152(6) or section 153” there is substituted “section 153C(3) or 153D(4)”.

(7) In section 158—

(a) in subsection (1) the entries relating to “child”, “harm”, “health” and “ill-treatment” are omitted;

(b) subsection (2) is omitted.

14 Security of tenure: anti-social behaviour

(1) In the Housing Act 1985 (c. 68) section 82 (which makes provision in relation to security of tenure) is amended as follows—

(a) in subsection (1) for the words from “of the court” to the end of the subsection there is substituted “mentioned in subsection (1A)”;

(b) after subsection (1) there is inserted the following subsection—

“(1A) These are the orders—

(a) an order of the court for the possession of the dwelling-house;

(b) an order under subsection (3);

(c) a demotion order under section 82A.”

(2) After section 82 of that Act there is inserted the following section—

“82A Demotion because of anti-social behaviour

(1) This section applies to a secure tenancy if the landlord is—

(a) a local housing authority;

(b) a housing action trust;

(c) a registered social landlord.

(2) The landlord may apply to a county court for a demotion order.

(3) A demotion order has the following effect—

(a) the secure tenancy is terminated with effect from the date specified in the order;

(b) if the tenant remains in occupation of the dwelling-house after that date a demoted tenancy is created with effect from that date;

(c) it is a term of the demoted tenancy that any arrears of rent payable at the termination of the secure tenancy become payable under the demoted tenancy;

(d) it is also a term of the demoted tenancy that any rent paid in advance or overpaid at the termination of the secure tenancy is credited to the tenant’s liability to pay rent under the demoted tenancy.

(4) The court must not make a demotion order unless it is satisfied—

(a) that the tenant or a person residing in or visiting the dwelling-house has engaged or has threatened to engage in conduct to which section 153A or 153B of the Housing Act 1996 (anti-social behaviour or use of premises for unlawful purposes) applies, and

(b) that it is reasonable to make the order.

(5) Each of the following has effect in respect of a demoted tenancy at the time it is created by virtue of an order under this section as it has effect in relation to the secure tenancy at the time it is terminated by virtue of the order—

(a) the parties to the tenancy;

(b) the period of the tenancy;

(c) the amount of the rent;

(d) the dates on which the rent is payable.

(6) Subsection (5)(b) does not apply if the secure tenancy was for a fixed term and in such a case the demoted tenancy is a weekly periodic tenancy.

(7) If the landlord of the demoted tenancy serves on the tenant a statement of any other express terms of the secure tenancy which are to apply to the demoted tenancy such terms are also terms of the demoted tenancy.

(8) For the purposes of this section a demoted tenancy is—

(a) a tenancy to which section 143A of the Housing Act 1996 applies if the landlord of the secure tenancy is a local housing authority or a housing action trust;

(b) a tenancy to which section 20B of the Housing Act 1988 applies if the landlord of the secure tenancy is a registered social landlord.”

(3) Section 83 of that Act is amended as follows—

(a) in subsection (1) for the words from “the possession” to the second “tenancy” substitute “an order mentioned in section 82(1A)”;

(b) in subsection (2)(b) for the words from “an order” to “tenancy” substitute “the order”;

(c) after subsection (4) insert—

“(4A) If the proceedings are for a demotion order under section 82A the notice—

(a) must specify the date after which the proceedings may be begun;

(b) ceases to be in force twelve months after the date so specified.”;

(d) in subsection (5) for “or (4)” substitute “(4) or (4A)”.

(4) In the Housing Act 1988 (c. 50) after section 6 (which makes provision about fixing the terms of a statutory periodic tenancy) there is inserted the following section—

“6A Demotion because of anti-social behaviour

(1) This section applies to an assured tenancy if the landlord is a registered social landlord.

(2) The landlord may apply to a county court for a demotion order.

(3) A demotion order has the following effect—

(a) the assured tenancy is terminated with effect from the date specified in the order;

(b) if the tenant remains in occupation of the dwelling-house after that date a demoted tenancy is created with effect from that date;

(c) it is a term of the demoted tenancy that any arrears of rent payable at the termination of the assured tenancy become payable under the demoted tenancy;

(d) it is also a term of the demoted tenancy that any rent paid in advance or overpaid at the termination of the assured tenancy is credited to the tenant’s liability to pay rent under the demoted tenancy.

(4) The court must not make a demotion order unless it is satisfied—

(a) that the tenant or a person residing in or visiting the dwelling-house has engaged or has threatened to engage in conduct to which section 153A or 153B of the Housing Act 1996 (anti-social behaviour or use of premises for unlawful purposes) applies, and

(b) that it is reasonable to make the order.

(5) The court must not entertain proceedings for a demotion order unless—

(a) the landlord has served on the tenant a notice under subsection (6), or

(b) the court thinks it is just and equitable to dispense with the requirement of the notice.

(6) The notice must—

(a) give particulars of the conduct in respect of which the order is sought;

(b) state that the proceedings will not begin before the date specified in the notice;

(c) state that the proceedings will not begin after the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the date of service of the notice.