Erdington ‘party house’ forced to shut after neighbours report ‘upsetting incidents’

Birmingham officers have secured a temporary closure notice on a property being used as a ‘party house’ in Erdington.

West Midlands Police said that for more than six months neighbours have endured anti-social behaviour, excessive noise and suspected drug taking in the property on Chester Road as the current tenant has rented out the house nearly every night via short term rental websites.

Between January and April this year, police have received at least 10 calls from local residents, reporting a catalogue of distressing and upsetting incidents.

These ranged from all night music and drug taking to reports of illicit activity and fireworks being let off in the street.

The force have worked closely with neighbours, the housing provider, the owner of the property and the council for months to try and resolve this behaviour.

A community protection warning and a community protection notice were both ignored by the tenant, leading Erdington officers to work with Birmingham City Council to seek a closure order to prevent any further anti-social behaviour to safeguard the local community.

The temporary closure order was granted on 21 April, and the tenant was given 10 days to hand back the keys and vacate the property.

The housing association are now looking to place a family in the home.

What has West Midlands Police said?

Sergeant Rachel Darby said: “We applied for the closure order to protect local residents from on-going criminality and anti-social behaviour.

“We have gratefully received help from the community whilst tackling these issues, and the closure order could not have been obtained without their support.

“I am pleased to know that the tenant has now moved out of the property and the local residents will once again be able to enjoy their neighbourhood.

“We will continue to listen to our communities, and work with our partners and the courts to tackle antisocial behaviour when it is reported to us.”

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