A court has ordered a rented property be closed for three month following complaints of anti-social behaviour going back nearly a year.
Teesside Magistrates Court made the Closure Order yesterday, Thursday 18 February, which means tenants Peter Breckon, 31, and Natalie Hunter, 27, must leave 11 Railway Terrace, Brotton, East Cleveland.
Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council applied to the court for the closure order following months of complaints from neighbours including 13 calls to the police since January 3.
The council was supported by the landlords, housing association Beyond Housing, and also worked closely the area's Neighbourhood Police team. The property will now be screened for three months before it comes back into use.
Jonathan Gittins, prosecuting for the council, told the court that there had been complaints relating to threats, assault, criminal damage, weapons and violence reported to the authorities. He added that problems started around March 2020 at which time councillors were approached by residents reporting anti-social behaviour.
Residents were given diary sheets and since then have documented more than 30 separate incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime relating to the occupants and their associates at 11 Railway Terrace. Neighbours have also reported numerous anti-social behaviour problems to Beyond Housing including threats and also regarding playing loud music, banging doors, frequent cars visiting causing noise nuisance, shouting, swearing, dog fouling, arguing in the street, fighting and breaching Covid-19 regulations.
Mr Gittins said that the tenants received a number of warnings from the council and Beyond Housing before the decision was made to apply for an order.
Mr Breckon contested the order in court, denying the more serious allegations and arguing he was being confused with other culprits.
After considering the evidence, the District Judge ordered the house should be closed for three months from today, Friday 19 February, which means no-one will be allowed to live in the property.
After the case was heard, Councillor Barry Hunt, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “We won't hesitate do what we have to in order to protect people who deserve to live in peace in their homes. The decision to go to court is never, ever taken lightly – but we will do it whenever necessary so ensure people have quality of life where they live."