COUNCIL officials are getting tough with tenants who refuse to allow essential maintenance work to be carried out.

Darlington Borough Council issued the warning yesterday after a series of incidents involving householders denying officials access for annual gas servicing.

Eight tenants have so far been ordered to pay an average of £130 to cover the costs incurred by the council in taking them to court.

Local authority officers have urged others not to be added to the list.

Gas servicing is part of the council's yearly checks on all its properties and is carried out on a yearly basis.

Prior to the service visit, the tenants receive a card to let them know when the check will take place and to contact the team if it is not convenient.

If there is no response to the first card, another card is delivered requesting the tenant to make an appointment. If that fails, a letter is sent stressing the importance of the checks and urging the tenant to contact the council. Failure to respond will lead to a formal legal letter being sent with a court injunction.

If upheld, the injunction will order the tenant to allow access to the council and pave the way for the authority to forcibly gain access to the property if denied again.

The tenant will then not only have to pay court costs but will also be responsible for the costs of repairing any damaged locks.

Cabinet member for housing, Councillor Lee Vasey, said: "It is in the tenant's best interest to allow us access to carry out these essential checks.

"As landlords it is our responsibility to ensure that our properties are safe and well maintained and those gas servicing visits form an important part of our regular checks. We are happy to be flexible and will give every assistance to tenants who need help."

Details on gas servicing and assistance is available from local Neighbourhood Houses.