It has been revealed that in Carmarthenshire, council chiefs are putting their foot down when it comes to bad neighbours, rent arrears and tenants. The shake-up comes after a family in Llanelli’s Cefncaue area, have been evicted, when a court order was gained to kick them out. Following a long period of anti-social behaviour, the council and other local residents worked as a team to find out how to evict the family and gathered evidence. Area housing manager Les James, commented on the sitting tenants: “The family had been causing problems for some time including noise nuisance, friends coming and going causing disturbances, dumping rubbish, having an untidy garden, being abusive to neighbours and generally being a bad neighbour. This family were making their neighbours' lives hell and thought we couldn't touch them.” In the battle of nightmare neighbours, the council has also taken out a restraining order as part of possession proceedings against one local tenant who assaulted a housing officer and his partner. The individual has since voluntarily surrendered his tenancy. Another tenant in Llanelli who behaved anti-socially, has had his secure tenancy demoted to a 12-month probationary tenancy. In addition, a Tyisha man now faces being demoted because of his anti-social behaviour. A council spokesman stated: “Once the tenancy has been demoted and there continues to be breaches, eviction is inevitable.” Councillor Hugh Evans, executive board member for housing and public protection, said: “People who behave anti-socially and persistently breach their tenancy conditions by making their neighbours' lives hell will face being evicted. “The council is applying the law where necessary to those who are involved in anti-social behaviour. If there is supported evidence against perpetrators, we will take tough action.” Robin Staines, head of housing, commented: “This is a result of the council and the community working together to send out a strong message that we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour on our estates.” £1m scheme to save homes In similar news, in an attempt to avoid squatters, graffiti and empty houses, 17 councils are in line to receive £1million to train staff as part of a scheme to turn hundreds of empty private homes into first-time properties or social housing. Housing minister John Healey announced the grant programme on February 5th, stating that some tentants and landlords were not aware that councils had the power to take over derelict properties if the owners refused to bring them back into use. Empty homes will be renovated and let to families on housing waiting lists, or private funding raised, so they can be sold through low-cost ownership schemes. Healey stated: “Empty houses are both a blight on communities and a waste of much-needed homes. I want councils using every tool available so that people can see action being taken against antisocial behaviour in their area.” The crackdown is also intended to lower antisocial behaviour, including drug-taking and vandalism, which commonly occurs where large numbers of properties stand empty. Up to 10,000 frontline workers and community champions (including 1,000 tenants) will be trained to work alongside specialist teams with the knowledge to guide the clearout. One council in Devon has already said that they have allocated 68 empty properties to be renovated in the scheme.