A TOUGH crackdown is on the cards for council tenants who fail to pay their rent and ignore the problem.

And with nearly 500 tenants, some from the Leigh area, being taken to court since April and 32 being evicted, the Housing Department is showing it is more than prepared to flex its muscles.

A further 85 cases have already been passed to the bailiff for action to be taken.

Peter Gee, Housing Director, said: "This is not a new policy, since the council has always taken rent arrears very seriously and it has a good record in collecting rent. But we intend to crack down now rather than allow arrears to mount up."

He stressed that eviction is a last resort for the council and added that anyone struggling to pay their rent should be up front about it and tell the housing department early so they can offer help, including filling in Housing Benefit forms for them.

But Mr. Gee had strong words for those who blatantly ignored warnings about arrears and who didn't bother to ask for assistance.

"If tenants continue to build up rent arrears and don't make arrangements to reduce the debt the council will always take action to evict. Only in the most exceptional circumstances does the council ever rehouse tenants."

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