A COUNCIL housing company is showing the red card to people with rent arrears.

Representatives from Dale and Valley Homes, the group which manages Wear Valley District Council's housing stock, have been visiting householders in the district to discuss their rent accounts.

If the tenant is in credit with their rent, or if they are in arrears but are making efforts to make repayments, staff have been issuing them with a green card.

But if the tenant is avoiding paying their rent and has not tried to get help, they will be given a red card.

The idea was thought up by debt recovery officer Kevin Dawson, who said: "The scheme is as much to say, thank you to people who pay their rent on time as sending out a message to those who don't.

"We have to make it clear that we will not let people get away with rent arrears and anyone having difficulties must make an appointment with their housing officer."

The scheme is an attempt to encourage tenants who may be struggling to pay their rent to talk to housing officers in the hope of finding a solution.

The team headed to Willington as their first port of call and will make their way across the district in the coming weeks.

Peter Chaffer, chief executive of Dale and Valley Homes, said: "The majority of services provided by the company are funded from the collection of rent.

"Customers not paying can have a significant impact on our ability to provide services. The showing of a red card is meant to remind customers of this."