Social distancing: House parties could put your tenancy at risk

Published: 16 April 2020

Under the Government’s current social distancing rules, hosting social gatherings or parties in your home is illegal and a breach of your tenancy agreement.

While South Liverpool Homes (SLH) and Merseyside Police have seen the majority of tenants obeying the social distancing rules put in place to help slow the spread of coronavirus, there is a worrying minority who are breaking the rules, putting their lives, and their tenancies, at risk.

What do we mean by a social gathering?

This is a gathering or party in your home that includes people who do not live there. This includes family members who do not live with you. These gatherings might be inside the home or in the front or rear gardens.

How will these rules be enforced?

In the first instance SLH and Merseyside Police will try as much as possible to deal with these incidents by speaking to the tenant and reminding them of the current social distancing rules.  A failure to abide by the government guidelines is viewed very seriously and you should be aware that the police have been given new powers to prevent behaviour which puts other people’s health at risk.  SLH will co-operate fully in assisting the police in carrying out their duties to prevent illegal social gatherings.

SLH will remind the tenant of their tenancy obligations and explain that their actions represent a breach of their tenancy agreement.

If a tenant ignores this guidance and continues to have social gatherings, we will have no choice but to start legal proceedings against them. The civil courts have shown a willingness to grant injunctions where these gatherings pose a nuisance and a risk to the safety of the community.

We want to avoid this as much as possible and ask that tenants follow the government’s social distancing rules:

• Stay at home - Only go outside for food, daily exercise or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
• If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home
• Do not meet others, even friends or family. You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.

Full details of the government’s social distancing current rules can be found here.

Ways to keep in touch with friends and family

We don’t want people to lose touch with friends and family throughout coronavirus lockdown. There are many ways that we can socialise while obeying the social distancing rules:

• Enjoy spending time with people who live with you
• Use phone or video calls to keep in touch with friends and family
• Log into Facebook and get involved with groups such as Speke Past and Present, #LoveGarstonCommunity or Liverpool Virtual Pub
• Download apps such as House Party where you can chat and play online games

We know that the vast majority of our tenants are following social distancing rules and doing their bit to help fight coronavirus in our communities.

How to report your concerns

If you have any concerns about illegal social gatherings taking place in your community call us on 0330 303 3000 option 4, complete our online anti-social behaviour form or email info@southliverpoolhomes.co.uk.