‘NIGHTMARE’ TENANTS KICKED OUT AS HOUSE IS BOARDED UP
Closure notice means property is out of bounds for three months
NEIGHBOURS can breathe a sigh of relief after nightmare tenants were kicked out of their street.
They demanded action after problems with anti-social behaviour and crime connected to the property in Chesterton.
The issues included used needles in the street, shouting and fighting. Police have now boarded up the address – 142 London Road – after securing a closure order from the courts.
It means no one can live at the terrace house for three months, until February 6. And anyone who gets into the property without permission now risks being jailed.
One neighbour said: “It’s a nightmare, shouting in the street in an evening; them arguing with each other – it doesn’t feel safe to be getting my son from the car to the house once it’s dark – neighbours finding used needles outside their houses.”
North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard two tenants were served with a warning notice, then a community protection notice. Fixed penalty notices were then issued to one tenant issued for two breaches.
Under the terms of the closure notice, the landlord will still be able to access the property to carry out repairs. However, anyone entering the property without the permission of Staffordshire Police will be committing an offence.
A notice stuck to the door states: “This premises has been sealed and no further entry will be allowed, except to those authorised to enter by the landlord or Staffordshire Police. The occupier will therefore be required to find alternative accommodation.
“Anyone entering the premises without the permission of the landlord, Staffordshire Police, or North Staffordshire Justice Centre commits an offence and can be arrested.”
Chief Inspector John Owen, of Staffordshire Police, above, has welcomed the closure order.
He said: “We are committed to actioning community priorities by implementing measures like this to target problem addresses and tenants in the area.
“We use a variety of tools to disrupt these individuals who cause distress within our community and will be continuing to implement high visibility patrols to target those responsible.
“I encourage the public to speak to your local officers regularly and attend engagement sessions to ensure your priorities are dealt with robustly by officers who are passionate about serving the Newcastle community.”