Increase in number of tenants evicted from homes for drug abuse

A "ZERO-TOLERANCE" crackdown on city tenants involved in drugs has led to a rise in people being evicted from their homes.

The number of people who have been forced to leave their property after breaching Nottingham City Homes' strict rules about the use of drugs has risen by more than a third.

And the number voluntarily surrendering their homes after being found to be involved in drugs has doubled.

Richard Antcliff, head of neighbourhood enforcement and operational support for the city council's community protection department, said: "Housing is a precious commodity. There are lengthy waiting lists and we want people in properties who deserve them."

There were 67 possession orders granted by the courts between April 1, 2010, and March 31 this year, compared with 49 in 2009-10. The orders give Nottingham City Homes the power to force someone to leave their property.

But in some cases, the threat of this action is enough to make people leave and tenants surrendering property after being found to be involved in drugs crime rose from 15 to 29 in 2010-11.

Nottingham City Council leader Jon Collins said: "We have a zero-tolerance approach to tenants who engage in drug use and supply."

Gill Moy, director of housing services at Nottingham City Homes, said: "I think the message is getting out to people that we do mean business."

But single parent Sarita Rehman-Wall, who has been asked to leave her home due to a family member's drug offence, said: "Things aren't as black and white as they are making out."

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503354/s/154d3afb/l/0L0Sthisisnottingham0O0Cnews0CDrug0Eabuse0Etenants0Ethrown0Carticle0E360A19720Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

Amir Khan Ryan Babel France Lee Cattermole Japan BlackBurn Rovers