NUISANCE neighbours living in council homes are being warned to expect firm action as a city housing boss reveals that one tenant is evicted on average each month.

During the Liberal Democrat's 18-month rule at the City of York Council, 18 people have been forced to leave their homes for breaching their tenancy agreement.

Another two people could soon face the same treatment as the council seeks possession orders.

Coun Sue Sunderland, the executive member for housing, said the figures mirrored those of the previous administration.

"I do not delight in other people's misery, which for me is what an eviction represents," she said.

"But as a local authority with a responsibility to our customers, we have to take measures to ensure the safety and peace of mind to our tenants who behave in a responsible and orderly fashion while getting on with their daily lives.

"Nuisance neighbours should heed the warning that this council will take firm action to deal with any sustained breech of tenancy conditions."

High-profile evictions this year alone include council tenant Karen Warwick and her family who lost their home in Acomb in July after a string of complaints from neighbours which dated back more than a decade. Problems reported included serious noise pollution, threatening neighbours with physical violence and trespassing.

In September, York Council evicted teenager Nicola Brown from a property in Bramham Road, Chapelfields, Acomb, following numerous complaints about serious noise nuisance and drug use at the property.

Meanwhile, the current level of council rent arrears stands at £1,242,960 compared with £1,379,900 in October 2002.

Coun Sunderland said the council had set up a specialist arrears team to target the problem while attention would focus on high arrears cases as well as pushing direct debit as the preferred payment method to tenants.

Extra targets which have been set up also include issuing notices when arrears reach £250, with cases brought before the court when arrears reach £500.

Updated: 10:12 Tuesday, November 16, 2004