OTTERY council tenants have been evicted from their homes after repeatedly failing to pay their rent.

OTTERY council tenants have been evicted from their homes after repeatedly failing to pay their rent.

Housing chiefs went to court to oust residents and, with a housing waiting list of more than 2,500, have vowed to take a tough line against anyone who breaches their contract. “There are plenty of people waiting for a council home who would be happy to keep to their tenancy agreement,” said Councillor Jill Elson, East Devon District Council (EDDC) portfolio holder for communities, adding: “No council likes to evict tenants, but if they breach their tenancy agreement, this can result in legal action being taken.”

The authority revealed its Housing Rental Service was granted court repossession orders against Ottery tenants. Having agreed a repayment plan with the courts at an earlier hearing, the residents still didn’t comply and were subsequently evicted, said an EDDC spokesperson.

The council won’t reveal where the tenants lived in the town. The spokesperson added: “We are not keen to name and shame people, preferring to work with them through persuasion and understanding wherever possible. We do want tenants to know that we will not tolerate serious breaches of their tenancy agreement and we want the public in general, and would-be tenants in particular, to know that we will act fairly towards people who act responsibly.”

Councillor Elson urged tenants struggling to pay rent to speak to council officers on hand to give advice.

EDDC has 2,530 applicants on its Housing Register.