A COUNCIL has hit back at claims that its 12-month 'good behaviour' tenancy agreements will make people homeless, arguing that it will reduce the need for evictions.

National housing charity Shelter voiced concern about the introductory agreements, piloted by Manchester City Council and recently adopted by Pendle and Blackburn with Darwen councils.

It claims neighbours no longer have equal rights and town halls could use the powers to evict people on any breach of any aspect of the agreement.

But Pendle Council's housing and community care manager Ken Bury said: "We have always viewed eviction as a failure and loathe and detest having to do it.

"The aim of these agreements is to avoid eviction by tackling the problem before it starts. Eviction is a very expensive business and not something we relish. We want to make estates nice places to live." Five years ago there was uproar in Pendle about a family dubbed the "Brierfield Hillbillies".

The council took court action to take back the Coronation Street council home of a couple nicknamed The Clampetts by neighbours.

A court was told the garden was a wilderness, dogs perpetually howled and barked and complainants were threatened and abused.

When the family were due to be rehoused in Casserley Road, Colne, tenants petitioned the council and it is understood the family finally moved to Burnley.

Mr Bury said: "We have had 300 new agreements signed since this was introduced and have had no evictions.

"Tenants have had the agreement explained to them and in fact we have had quite a bit of support and no adverse reactions.

"If there is no problem and no harassment then after a year they will get a secured tenancy, just like all the other residents. The onus is on them.

"As a good landlord we have to consider the people who already live in an area and that is what this agreement does.

"If there is a dispute we do not immediately evict - we sit down with all the parties concerned and try to work a way through it. Eviction is a very last resort.

"We have had problems before when a resident has come into an area and caused havoc in what was a nice community. Some have played music at 3am and others kept rabbits and dogs tied up in the shared entrance to flats.

"I could not believe the responses I received from other council tenants when they were told about the good behaviour agreements. They were delighted and my postbag was full."

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