By Andrew Jarret

ANGUS COUNCIL issued a clear warning to anti-social tenants after agreeing to evict a “nightmare” resident from one of its Arbroath properties.

The unanimous decision was taken at the meeting of the authority’s Neighbourhood Services committee after director Ron Ashton admitted that all other routes in relation to the tenant had been exhausted.

Although decisions to evict tenants are not taken lightly, the biggest concern in this individual’s case was how long it had taken and “how many hoops” the council had been forced to jump through before securing this final sanction.

A report on the individual, whose identity or address was not revealed, indicated that they had taken up residence in the two-bedded apartment on May 15, 2006.

The first verbal warning against anti-social behaviour was delivered two weeks later on May 30, followed up by a written warning on June 5, 2006.

A final written warning was issued on June 20, 2006, before the tenant signed an acceptable behaviour agreement on July 5, 2006.

“The tenant breached the acceptable behaviour agreement on July 6 and 7,” said Mr Ashton.

“It was then considered appropriate following further complaints to seek an interim anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) which was granted on July 16.”

The report revealed that the tenant had breached the above order on six occasions and that a visitor to the address had been convicted of assault against one of the neighbours who has suffered repeatedly from the ongoing anti-social behaviour.

“As the situation was of such a serious nature, and could not be resolved, the community housing team sought and successfully obtained a decree for eviction on April 14, 2008,” added Mr Ashton.

“Committee approval is being sought to evict the tenant.”

After the committee agreed, Councillor Helen Oswald said it was “unfortunate” that it had taken two years to reach this position.

“We really need a bit more muscle,” she said.

“The unfortunate people who have had to live beside this tenant have been living lives of misery. It must have been a nightmare.”

Councillor David May added, “It’s very disappointing that we have to go through all these steps and jump through all these hoops but I hope others will get the message.”

Councillor Ralph Palmer said, “Sometimes I wonder if we do have enough powers to deal with these kind of people.”

Fellow member Ian Mackintosh revealed he was “not apologetic at all” about evicting this tenant.

“This is the type of person who gives nothing to society. They simply cannot be tolerated,” he said.