Council tenants behind with their rent in Ongar and North Weald are to face a blitz on arrears.

A tough package of measures is being drawn up by Epping Forest District Council which could entail rent dodgers losing their homes.

Initially, letters will be sent to late payers warning them to clear their debt within seven days. If they do not, they will be visited by a bailiff seeking payment.

Those who do not pay up immediately face having possessions seized which will be sold at auction to recover the debt. And tenants face having their arrears increased if bailiffs are called in.

Housing services assistant head Roger Wilson explained: "This is because of the levy imposed by the company which is at least 12.5 per cent of the debt."

Epping Forest has been forced to get tough because arrears have risen to more than two per cent of total rent due.

Mr Wilson said: "In the council's corporate plan a target of 1.25 per cent has been set, although any debt is unacceptable.

"Rent arrears have been increasing for the last two years despite a number of initiative.''

He added: "We must take action quickly to be fair to those tenants who pay regularly. There's no excuse for late payment. Our rents are reasonable and tenants can claim housing benefit if their income is exceptionally low."

Other measures being used in the crackdown include an increase in the number of notices of seeking possession served on tenants in arrears, more visits and telephone calls to late payers, a poster campaign and stricter arrears targets.

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