People who fail to look after their council-owned properties in the Cannock Chase district face being evicted.

The warning was issued after council workers were shocked by the state of a Cannock property. The tenants – a married couple in their 30s – were evicted because of rent arrears.

The council offered support and a range of support networks were involved before the eviction. It says that action will be taken against the small minority of tenants who fail to look after their properties.

Other tenants have been served notices in the past and eventually tidied up their homes and paid for any damage, but the latest case was one of the worst seen by housing officials for many years.

The council is introducing a new tenancy agreement for tenants in April. The agreement, which will be distributed to tenants during February, is clearer and more user-friendly, as well as being more robust in regard to the responsibilities of tenants and anti-social behaviour.

Nigel Haywood, Cannock Chase Council tenancy services manager, said: “It is very important to state that the huge majority of council tenants cause no problem. It is equally important, however, to warn the small minority of tenants who let their homes fall into terrible states of disrepair, like the couple who were recently evicted, that we will not tolerate this.

“Our estate management team has been cracking down on tenants whose gardens are in a state.

“Additionally, our allocations team stops tenants from moving if their homes and gardens are in a poor state.”

Mr Haywood added: “If you are a council tenant and wish to move to another council property, or maybe a new Housing Association property, we need to establish that you have looked after your current home.”