Tenancy Enforcement Actions

Darlington Council does not tolerate tenants who cause and engage in any form of nuisance, crime or anti-social behaviour whether it is caused by tenants or their visitors.

All tenants, when signing their Tenancy Agreement, agree to comply with certain terms and conditions which aim to ensure they, and their neighbours, can live in safety, free from discrimination and harassment and in a pleasant environment.

If you feel that a neighbour (who is a Council tenant) is breaching any of their terms and conditions you are initially asked to speak to them about their behaviour (for example if they are playing loud music), let them know what the problem is, how it is affecting you and that you would like them to be more considerate. However, if you feel you cannot do this, or their behaviour does not change, you can complain by contacting or visiting Customer Services at the Town Hall or contact us. Alternatively, you can write to the Housing Service at the Town Hall or e-mail housing@darlington.gov.uk

If you are a Council tenant and are experiencing problems with your tenancy please contact us by the same methods and we will work with you to offer you the support you need to comply with your Tenancy Agreement.

Below are details of actions taken against those who have breached their Tenancy Agreement.

April 2012

On the 20th April 2012 – a tenant at Red Hall was served with a notice of extension of introductory tenancy advising that they would not achieve a secure tenancy by a further 6 months. This was following regular parties, loud music and disruption from visitors congregating inside the property. The tenant has been advised that if the problem continues then possession will be sought.

On the 23rd April 2012 - Darlington County Court ordered that a tenant from Red Hall be evicted following a long history of nuisance behaviour. This included noise nuisance, keeping dangerous dogs, failure to remove rubbish and abusive and threatening behaviour.

On the 30th April 2012 – a Notice of Seeking Possession (NSP) was served on a tenant at Bank Top after their property was found in a neglected state. When officers visited to carry out a number of inspections the tenant was verbally abusive and threatening to the visiting officers. When a NSP is served a person risks losing their home.

March 2012

On the 2nd March 2012 – A tenant from Red Hall was served with a Notice of Seeking Possession (NSP) due to the condition of their property and garden. They were in a neglected state and this meant the tenant was in breach of their tenancy agreement. A series of inspections was arranged to ensure that the property and garden were brought up to a satisfactory standard. When a NSP is served a person is at risk of losing their home.

On the 29th March 2012 – a warrant of entry was obtained from the Magistrates Court for an outstanding gas service. The tenant from Red Hall failed to respond to numerous letters, visits and telephone calls from Housing and building services who were trying to arrange a free and compulsory annual service of their gas appliances. This is a legal requirement. A warrant of entry allows officers to gain entry by force, the method used is by drilling the door locks.

On the 29th March 2012 – Two neighbouring tenants from Branksome attended a mediation session held by Housing Services. This was arranged as the two neighbours were both complaining that the other was causing loud noise. Both tenants left the meeting with a better understanding of each others needs and made promises to each other that in the future if there were problems then they would deal with things in a neighbourly and considerate manner.

February 2012

Date: 09/02/12
Action: Magistrates Warrant obtained to enter property
Reason: Tenant failed to arrange annual gas service
Location: Eastbourne

Date: 09/02/12
Action: Magistrates Warrant obtained to enter property
Reason: Tenant failed to arrange annual gas service
Location: Eastbourne

Date: 09/02/12
Action: Magistrates Warrant obtained to enter property
Reason: Tenant failed to arrange annual gas service
Location: Eastbourne

Date: 14/02/12
Action: Voluntary termination of tenancy
Reason: Noise Nuisance & Damage to property
Location: Cockerton East

Date: 23/02/12
Action: Magistrates Warrant obtained to enter property
Reason: Tenant failed to arrange annual gas service
Location: Eastbourne

January 2012

Date: 04/01/12
Action: NSP and Notice of Demotion Intent served
Reason: Racial harassment of a Council employee
Location: Eastbourne

Date: 04/01/12
Action: Notice of Seeking Possession served
Reason: Burglary of another Council tenant
Location: Lascelles

Date: 06/01/12
Action: Notice of Possession Proceedings served
Reason: Keeping a dog in a property where a dog was not allowed
Location: Haughton West

Date: 06/01/12
Action: Notice of Possession Proceedings served
Reason: Keeping a dog in a property where a dog was not allowed
Location: Haughton West

Date: 17/01/12
Action: Re-homing of a dog
Reason: Owner was unable to manage the dog
Location: Park East

Date: 19/01/12
Action: Notice of Seeking Possession served
Reason: Noise nuisance and damage to the property
Location: Cockerton East

Date: 26/01/12
Action: Magistrates Warrant Obtained to Enter Property
Reason: Tenant failed to arrange annual gas service
Location: Eastbourne

Date: 26/01/12
Action: Magistrates Warrant Obtained to Enter Property
Reason: Tenant failed to arrange annual gas service
Location: Eastbourne

December 2011

Date: 07/12/11
Action: NSP and Notice of Demotion Intent served
Reason: Ongoing harassment of and verbal abuse directed at another Council tenant
Location: Hurworth

November 2011

Date: 01/11/11
Action: Introductory tenancy extended
Reason: Noise Nuisance and behaviour of visitors
Location: Park East

Date: 13/11/11
Action: Voluntary termination of tenancy
Reason: Noise Nuisance, damage to council property, racial harassment
Location: North Road

October 2011

Date: 17/10/11
Action: Notice of Extension of Introductory Tenancy
Reason: Noise nuisance and behaviour of visitors
Location: Park East

Date: 27/10/11
Action: Magistrates Warrant Obtained To Enter Property
Reason: Tenant failed to arrange annual gas service
Location: North Road

September 2011

Date: 05/09/11
Action: Postponed Possession Order
Reason: Theft of lead/copper and personal belongings from other residents properties
Location: Haughton East

Date: 05/09/11
Action: Possession Order
Reason: Ongoing noise nuisance & anti-social behaviour
Location: Lingfield

Date: 23/09/11
Action: Postponed Possession Order
Reason: Possession of drugs and nuisance behaviour
Location: Lingfield

Date: 29/09/11
Action: Notice of Intention to Seek Possession served (NSP)
Reason: Abuse and threats towards Council employees/property not being cared for
Location: Cockerton East

August 2011

Date: 24th August
Action: Eviction
Reason: Ongoing Noise nuisance and breach of suspended possession order
Location: Haughton East

Date: 12th August
Action: Notice of Seeking Possession &Demotion Intent served
Reason: Noise nuisance & condition of garden
Location: Haughton East

Date: 5th August
Action: Notice of seeking possession & Demotion Intent served
Reason: Noise & failing to control visitors
Location: North Road

Date: 5th August
Action: Voluntary termination of tenancy
Reason: possession of class A drugs within a council property
Location: Eastbourne

Date:  1st August
Action:  Notice of seeking Possession served
Reason: ongoing nuisance and criminal damage to council property
Location: Eastbourne

July 2011

Date: 29/07/11
Action: Mediation
Reason: Neighbour dispute
Location: Haughton West 

Date: 28/07/11
Action: Notice of Seeking Possession
Reason: Property conditions
Location: Lascelles 

Date: 12/07/11
Action: Undertaking signed
Reason: Damage to council property & nuisance, annoyance and harassment
Location: Hurworth

Date: 05/07/11
Action: Pet owner contract signed
Reason: Failing to pick up after a pet
Location: Haughton East

June 2011

Date: 03/06/11
Action: Tenant evicted
Reason: Rent arrears & failure to co-operate with Housing Services
Location: Haughton East

Date: 03/06/11
Action: Tenant evicted
Reason: Criminal damage to council property & noise nuisance
Location: Cockerton East

Date: 09/06/11
Action: Magistrates warrant obtained to enter the property
Reason: Tenant failed to arrange annual gas service
Location: Eastbourne

Date: 17/06/11
Action: Pet owner contract signed
Reason: Failing to control a pet
Location: Haughton East

Date: 24/06/11
Action: NSP & Demotion Intent served
Reason: Drug misuse at the property
Location: Haughton East

Date: 24/06/11
Action: Notice of Possession Proceedings
Reason: Noise & rowdy behaviour, failure to engage with housing staff, not controlling visitors and not responding to advice/warnings from housing staff
Location: Lingfield

May 2011

Date: 24/05/11
Action: Possession Order
Reason: Tenant failed to clean and maintain the Council Property
Location: Park East

Date: 23/05/11
Action: NSP Served
Reason: Theft of lead/copper from council properties
Location: Haughton East

Date: 13/05/11
Action: Possession Order (previously obtained) - Tenant now evicted
Reason: Ongoing noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour
Location: Haughton East

Date: 11/05/11
Action: Postponed Possession Order
Reason: Keeping drugs in a council property
Location: Eastbourne