Completing diary sheets

Collecting evidence – filling in diary sheets

We recognise that every case of ASB is different and we assess each case on an individual basis. We have a variety of legal powers to help us tackle ASB and will discuss these with you during your interview.

We cannot take action against someone without evidence. As part of your complaint, you may be asked to complete a diary booklet. Diary booklets are used to evidence the ASB you are experiencing. It is very important that you complete your diary booklets thoroughly to ensure that we know exactly what has been happening.

Completed diary sheets are used for a variety of purposes:

They enable our staff to get a clear understanding of the type of nuisance you are experiencing;
They give an indication of the frequency and severity of the nuisance;
They enable our staff to see if there are any patterns to the behaviour - it may be that someone always goes out on Tuesday and Friday nights and comes home drunk and noisy. Noise monitoring equipment could then be installed at the most appropriate time to catch the nuisance on tape;
They enable staff to raise specific incidents with the perpetrators when they are visited / interviewed;
They are translated into a witness statement should the nuisance be serious enough to warrant legal action; and
Should you be cross examined in court about the allegations you have made, they can enable you to provide accurate and detailed information, and therefore be more confident.

Diary booklets are fairly straightforward to complete and require some very basic information. This includes:

The date, time and location of an incident;
Details of what happened. If for instance your complaint is of noise nuisance, don’t just put ‘noise’, describe the type of noise for example ‘It was exceptionally loud music. The Kaiser Chiefs CD was playing until 02.00am.’ They were arguing and shouting all night. At one point I could clearly hear him shout ‘Shut the **** up. I’ll ****in’ kill you.’

NB Although you may find it distasteful, you should write out in full any foul or abusive language you can hear.
Who is responsible for the nuisance behaviour. If you don’t know their name, provide the address and a brief description.
Give the contact details of any witnesses to the nuisance.
If you’ve phoned the police, make sure you ask for an incident number which you should then include on your diary sheet.
State how the behaviour you are experiencing makes you feel. You need to remember that your diary sheets may be used in court as evidence and that what may seem a reasonable comment to you in the heat of the moment, doesn’t look too good in court. You should state how the behaviour affects your life for example ‘I couldn’t get to sleep and I was tired at work all day. It is making me ill and I have been prescribed tablets by my doctor. I don’t enjoy living here any more’.

When you have finished the sheets always remember to sign and date the entry.

If you are unable to complete diary sheets for any reason, you should contact us. We may be able to assist you in a number of ways. For example:

Some people worry that their spelling isn’t too good and that puts them off filling in the sheets. Don’t worry about that…this isn’t a spelling test! So long as your entries can be understood there isn’t a problem;
If you are unable to write, we can supply you with a dictaphone on which you can record your complaints; and
Under certain circumstances, we may be able to complete the sheets on your behalf. You will just be required to sign them.

Without diary booklets, Six Town Housing generally cannot take action against perpetrators.

DVD's - Six Town Housing - Click to watch