RESIDENTS in Bare are hoping people power will force the council to take tough action against nuisance neighbours and irresponsible landlords.

A petition calling on the council to do more has collected 38 names and residents say they are fed up with the mayhem caused by terrible tenants living in slum properties.

Tough new measures have been introduced to tackle these problems and the residents hope their protest will force the council to act.

"We've suffered break-ins, noise and nuisance, drug dealing and even convicted paedophiles being bailed to live here. We've had enough," said a member of Bare Residents' Association.

"How can landlords get away with letting properties in such a poor state of disrepair? They profit from people's misery and often attract tenants who have all sort of problems with no concern for them or the local residents who live close by."

MBI leader, Cllr Tricia Heath, said: "I have been been helping residents in this area get rid of nuisance tenants for several years now but as soon as one lot go they are replaced by others just as bad. In the meantime the properties in question are steadily deteriorating to the annoyance of local residents. There is legislation now in place to help alleviate these problems and we intend to see they are used to the full on problem properties and irresponsible landlords."

Cllr Shirley Burns added: "Some of these properties seem to be used as bail addresses where problem tenants are just left with absolutely no supervision - this cannot be right."

The residents petition has been handed in to the council's enforcement officer.

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