Private and social landlords set to clash with MPs over consultation released on Tuesday
MPs are on a collision course with social and private landlords over a plan to dock antisocial tenants' housing benefit.

The proposal, put out for consultation on Tuesday by the government, is understood to enjoy the backing of the majority of MPs from all parties as it would address the concerns of constituents tormented by their neighbours.

However Hilton Dawson, Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre, said there was "absolutely no way" he would back the plan and said there should be more initiatives like the Dundee Families Project, which rehouses problem tenants to encourage them to behave better.

The plan was backed by former minister Frank Field, who proposed a similar idea that was talked out of parliament last July.

Social and private landlords have opposed the plan on the basis that it is inequitable, bureaucratic, ineffective and may contravene the Human Rights Act.

In the consultation, which ends in August, the Department for Work and Pensions proposes to make receipt of housing benefit conditional on good behaviour.

It offers two methods for deducting benefits. The first is that council could deduct benefit from people who have a criminal conviction for antisocial behaviour. The second option – the one preferred by the DWP – is a "two strikes and you're out" system. On the first instance of antisocial behaviour, a council officer would warn the tenant and find the appropriate help for them. The second time, the officer would inform the housing benefit service, which would reduce the tenant's benefits.

Claire Castle, chief executive of contractor Antisocial Behaviour Operations, said existing powers were sufficient. She said possession orders had acted as a deterrent.

One council antisocial behaviour coordinator said the proposals "would not address the causes of antisocial behaviour".

He said the creation of support packages across housing, education and social services would tackle the problem more effectively. "We have enough enforcement measures in place and do not need another," he said.

Geoffrey Cutting, president of the National Federation of Residential Landlords, said there was an increased risk of tenants getting into arrears if benefits were cut. Landlords would have to wait up to nine months for an eviction order and would lose income in the mean time.