NIGHTMARE neighbours could be a thing of the past with a new tenancy scheme on Blackpool's council agenda this month.

Housing chiefs are presently considering whether to implement an introductory scheme that would enable them to evict persistent problem tenants during their first 12 month's occupancy.

People moving to Blackpool's council estates for the first time under the scheme would have to prove they can be good neighbours for a year before becoming permanent residents.

Unlike with a secure tenant, the council would not have to prove grounds to repossess a house or flat held under an introductory tenancy or even reveal the complainant if the case went to court - reducing fear of intimidation for witnesses and encouraging more people to come forward.

Introductory tenants would otherwise enjoy many of the rights held by secure tenants and would retain the right of review if they were served with a notice on the property.

Blackpool's housing chairman, Councillor Les Kersh, said that nuisance neighbours were in a minority across Blackpool's 6,300 council properties, but were capable of making life utterly miserable for a number of people.

He added: "A small minority give our estates a bad name that isn't deserved.

"Introductory tenancies would add to our existing package of measures to combat what anti-social behaviour we do have on our estates and would send out a message that we are no longer prepared to tolerate it."

The council has asked existing tenants about the idea and their views will be taken into consideration when the housing committee meets to make a decision later this month.

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