Rent arrears tenants get red card

Council tenants in a district of County Durham who are behind with their rent are to be given the red card.

Over the next few weeks, residents in the Wear Valley area will receive visits from staff at Dale and Valley Homes to discuss their accounts.

If they are in credit, or in arrears but trying hard to make payments, they will be given a green card.

Those behind with payments will be given a red card but will be encouraged to discuss their problems.

The scheme was the brainchild of debt recovery officer Kevin Dawson.

He 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."