A REVIEW of how Renfrewshire Council deals with anti-social tenants is set to be conducted after an elected member told how residents were left “almost in tears” by unruly neighbours.

Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone and surrounding villages, called on housing bosses to look closely at how they sanction disruptive people living in council-run buildings and consider whether stronger punishments should be issued.

At a meeting of the communities, housing and planning board, he claimed the “balance of human rights” is currently on the side of anti-social tenants and insisted the council must do more to support decent ones who are “living through Hell.”

Councillor Doig said that, while it is right the council legally ensures no-one goes homeless, bosses should look at ways of deferring or delaying these rights in the most severe cases of unacceptable behaviour.

He said: “It is high time the council declared war on anti-social tenants with a comprehensive review of its procedures.

“I am dealing with three severe cases of anti-social behaviour at the moment  and we simply must do more to defend the human rights of decent tenants.

“Anti-social tenants all too often know their rights but we need to remind them of their responsibilities.

“In particular, I want to float the concept of deferred rights. Under the current law, no-one is allowed to be homeless – and I support that – but, in dealing with the most severe cases of anti-social behaviour by council tenants, I think we must look to see if, under the law, councils have the scope to defer and delay these rights as a form of sanction on the worst offenders.”

Councillor Doig, who serves as an Independent, added: “I have had constituents recently on the phone to me in tears through sustained and targeted harassment.

“Enough is enough. All councillors on the board have a duty and responsibility to look at how we can do better in future.”

The council has now agreed, as part of a review, to examine best practice in the rest of the UK, improved ways of dealing with anti-social cases which involve owner-occupied and privately-let households and greater sanctions for anti-social tenants.

It will also look at giving greater funding and powers to housing officers and stronger co-operation with the police, social work and the voluntary sector.

Following the probe, a report will be brought back to the full council in due course.