Nuisance tenant is forced out by council
A20-YEAR-OLD man has been evicted from his West Lancashire home, after neighbours complained about anti-social behaviour by him and his friends.
The man also failed to pay the first six months of his rent.
Complaints were made to West Lancashire Borough Council that Jordan Smith and his associates had been “destroying what used to be a nice, peaceful, trouble-free estate”.
The court heard that Mr Smith moved into the property in Skelmersdale in June last year.
Just 10 days later, other residents of Hallcroft, in Birch Green, complained to the council about antisocial behaviour from a large group hanging around inside and outside the property.
It was reported that some members of the group were sitting on the roof and others were shouting and screaming.
Further incidents were reported to the council in July and August, and rent arrears began to mount up. In late August and early September of last year, the council received complaints that Mr Smith had been banging on the windows of his own property, shouting and swearing and demanding to be let in.
Council staff also received complaints that bottles were being smashed against Mr Smith’s property.
Permission of the property was granted back to the council at a hearing at Wigan County Court.
West Lancashire Borough Council had been renting the property to Mr Smith but he has now been evicted and ordered to pay back rent arrears of £1,956.19 and costs up to a total of £2,000.
Portfolio holder for community safety Cllr Kevin Wright said: “The council received a series of allegations of antisocial behaviour about this tenant and people visiting his home. This case should serve as a warning to tenants that we do not tolerate such behaviour and we will take action wherever possible that may result in them being evicted.”
Portfolio holder for housing and landlord services Cllr Jenny Patterson said: “Tenants are responsible for their behaviour and that of people visiting their property.
“Mr Smith’s behaviour, and that of groups of people visiting the property, along with the large rent arrears that had mounted up, left the council with no choice but to take action to evict him.
“The council tries to work with its tenants who find themselves in rent arrears. If there are any tenants who find themselves in this situation, they should contact their housing officer immediately so the council can help them.
“They may be able to make an agreement with us to pay off what they owe gradually.”