Spongers to face the boot (From Stroud News and Journal)

Spongers to face the boot

FREELOADING council tenants face eviction as part of a tough new crackdown on rent-dodgers.

Although nearly 99 percent of tenants pay up on time, Stroud District Council says a minority of persistent slackers owe a whopping £500,000.

Because the law prevents council housing being funded by council tax, it must pay for itself - which means tenants who play by the rules have to pick up the tab with higher rents.

Now, housing chiefs have decided enough is enough and have set up a dedicated debt-busting team, which begins operating on April 1.

Though it will provide help and support to those with genuine financial difficulties, swift legal action will be taken against shameless spongers.

Cllr John Jeffreys, cabinet member for housing, said it was good news for the majority of the council's 5,300 tenants.

"This sends a clear message to tenants about the importance of paying rent," he said.

"The more rent we collect, the more we can spend on maintaining and improving tenants' homes.

"Firm action, including eviction, will be taken against persistent non-payers.

"That means we can then re-let the property to some of the 2,534 people on our housing waiting list."

Tenants pay in the region of £60-75 a week for a two or three bedroom house, depending on location.

Stroud manages its own housing stock - unlike other councils in the area, which have passed on the job to housing associations.

Its rent collection record compares favourably with housing association Fosseway, which collected 97 percent of rent from its 5,300 tenants last year on behalf of Cirencester-based Cotswold District Council.

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The SNJ asked SDC's principal rent officer Kevin Topping for the most outrageous excuses he has heard from tight-fisted tenants. Here are the top 10:

1. I put it on a dead cert in the 3.30 at Haydock Park and will clear my arrears with the winnings. (The horse was still running.)

2. I can't make a payment as it's too cold and wet to leave the house.

3. The kids were playing shops and have ruined my giro card. Can you order a new one for me? I'll pay when I get it.

4. My wife has been hiding the post.

5. My husband spent it on his 20-year-old girlfriend - and I want his name off the tenancy.

6. The dog has eaten my rent card.

7. I just had sky installed.

8. My handbag was stolen with my rent money in it. "Have you reported it to the police?" asks the collection officer. Tenant's response - No, I didn't think it was worth it.

9. It's Christmas and the kids have to have the latest Xbox or my life will be hell.

10. I went a bit wild at Tesco and spent my rent too.