The Ulster Unionists have welcomed new plans unveiled by Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour by tenants which makes the lives of neighbours a living hell.

The Party’s Social Development spokesperson Michael Copeland MLA said;

“The new system is designed to make it easier to target problem tenants who make life hell for their neighbours. It is similar to the Scottish model of Short Scottish Secure Tenancy (SSST) which offers a tenant a short term or probationary agreement by NIHE, Housing Associations or Co-op which offers limited rights and tenants can be evicted more easily and acts as a “yellow card” to tenants who do not act in an appropriate manner. This offers law abiding tenants some form of redress, on people who can make their lives intolerable.

The new plans are included in Northern Ireland’s first housing strategy which has been put out for consultation and the final action plan will be published in early 2013 and people should make their views known to the Department."

He was supported by Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA Tom Elliott who said:

 “I have been aware in certain developments of social housing in my own constituency in Fermanagh & South Tyrone - examples being in Aughnacloy, Clogher & Dungannon - when the actions of certain tenants have had a huge impact on the lives of neighbours and the wider community.

 For too long NIHE & Housing Associations have been severely restricted on what actions they can take and often cases can last for months if not years. More scrutiny is required by NIHE & Housing Associations of tenants who have a history of anti- social behaviour or who have been evicted from other properties before being allocated a house.”