Tenants evicted

FENLAND District Council has sent a strong message to its tenants that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated after evicting tenants from two homes in Wisbech in the last few weeks.

It is a message that will be reinforced by Roddons Housing Association when it takes over council tenancies next week.

The robust approach to anti-social behaviour will be strengthened by the appointment of an anti-social behaviour officer, whose role will be to provide additional specialist help to deal with those committing anti social behaviour and to support those affected.

In recent weeks the council took a Wisbech woman with five children to court in King's Lynn to secure an immediate possession order for breach of tenancy. The council was awarded costs of £2,934.

The case against the woman in Ollard Avenue relied on evidence from a neighbour who had suffered noise, nuisance, drunkenness, arguments and many other anti-social incidents over a lengthy period. The judge complimented the witness on his evidence and said such cases hinge on witnesses coming forward and being prepared to stand up and be counted.

There was also police evidence which showed the ongoing conduct not only of the tenant but of the conduct of her sons, others who had stayed at the property and her boyfriend. This part of the evidence showed the great working relationship between the police and the council's housing department.

The judge also commented on the quality of the file presented to the court and that it included all steps the housing department and police had taken in an effort to prevent court action.

The council also took successful court action to remove an unlawful occupant of a council property in Cherry Road, Wisbech. The man, with a history of violence now has an injunction against him preventing him staying in, or occupying, any council property for a period of six months. The injunction will be extended to Roddons properties once the housing transfer has been completed.

Councillor Kit Owen, portfolio holder for housing, said: "It is important to show tenants that we have their interests at heart and that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. The council's tough approach to bad behaviour and breaches of tenancy will be further reinforced when Roddons Housing Association takes over the running of council properties next week.

"As part of the transfer deal, a new post has been created to deal specifically with problems of anti-social behaviour. I hope that these two court cases send a clear message that behaviour that impacts on other tenants is not acceptable and will be dealt with robustly.