COUNCIL chiefs have launched a renewed clampdown on rent arrears.

And more former Bury Council tenants have found themselves before the courts.

The local authority, determined to recoup rent money owed to it, has stepped up its efforts to track down and take action against those who have failed to pay in the past.

That has seen the first batch of debtors, some 45 cases altogether, having County Court judgements made against them.

Bury Council housing chairman, Councillor John Smith, said: "Our housing services have been working hard to tackle the rent arrears owed to us.

"Where possible, that has involved trying to come to some amicable and reasonable arrangement with present or former tenants to achieve recovery."

He added: "Unfortunately though, there are a hard core of non-payers with whom we have had no alternative but to take court action. "This is a serious step, for a county court judgement made against someone means it will adversely affect their credit rating and may well prevent them from obtaining goods and services."

Coun Smith went on: "At the same time, it opens the way to enforcing payments through the use of bailiffs and attachment of earnings orders.

"The debtor will also be liable to pay the council's legal costs of taking this action.

"For former tenants with unpaid debts who do receive a final warning from the council solicitor, we would warn them that this really is the last chance, Coun Smith warned: "If they do not pay their debt immediately, or make arrangements to pay by affordable instalments, they should be in no doubt we will take action to recover the monies owed to us."

Tenants, past or present, who are in arrears and have not yet made arrangements to settle their debts, should contact their housing services office.

They will be able to discuss their present situation and a reasonable arrangement can then be reached to pay off outstanding rent.