NEW council tenants in York will be put on "probation" for 12 months under tough housing regulations aimed at tackling nuisance neighbours and anti-social behaviour.

Under the scheme anyone seeking a new tenancy with City of York Council will have to complete the probationary period, when the authority will be able to throw them out if they run up rent arrears or are guilty of anti-social activities.

The council has stressed the rules will not apply to tenants transferring between properties.

But new measures have been brought in relating to transfers, such as a ban on transfers for any tenant subject to an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO), or anyone living with them who has an ASBO.

Young people aged under 18 are to get a support package as part of their tenancy to help them appreciate their responsibilities.

The move has been welcomed by the council's Liberal Democrat group, whose housing spokesman, Coun David Livesley, claimed it put forward the introductory tenancy idea five years ago.

He said: "We need to tighten up in our dealings with the small number of tenants who make life unbearable for the majority.

"The aspect of introductory tenancies which has been emphasised by Labour members was its effectiveness in encouraging tenants who might otherwise fall into arrears with their rent."

Coun Livesley said: "Introductory tenancies do enable closer supervision of tenancies and encourage early payment, which is welcome, but it is the benefit of this measure in the struggle against anti-social behaviour, which is its most important effect."

Coun Ruth Potter, the council's executive member for housing, said any complaints against a tenant would be "thoroughly and properly" investigated before an eviction.

The Labour group welcomed the move and had received "very positive" feedback from residents and residents' groups, she said.

She denied the Labour group placed dealing with rent arrears over anti-social behaviour.

Coun Potter said: "They are both very important issues, we want to deal with them both and have not prioritised one area over another.

"As for the Liberals campaigning on this issue, I have been on the council for four years and in that time I don't recall them forwarding any motions on it in that time."

Other points included in the introductory tenancy policy are:

Targeting people with particular needs, such as physical disabilities

A minimum two-year council home ban, subject to a two-year review, on anyone evicted for neighbour nuisance or harassment

A year's ban on tenants evicted for rent arrears. Requirement to pay off debts and costs before being considered again

As previously reported in the Evening Press, a minimum three-year ban on convicted drug dealers.

Updated: 09:56 Friday, January 24, 2003