A HOUSING company is warning that it will take strong action against tenants involved in drug dealing.

East Durham Homes (EDH), which runs Easington's former council housing, has won a tenancy order against a female tenant convicted of supplying Class A drugs and jailed for 18 months.

Under EDH tenancy agreements, the company can re-possess the homes of anyone who is convicted of supplying controlled drugs or other illegal substances from their home. Because she breached the tenancy agreement, EDH this week secured an order against her that effectively puts her on a year's probation. If she breaches the agreement again, the company will move to evict her.

An EDH spokesman said that the county court granting of the order "sends out a stark warning. This type of conduct will not be tolerated and is clearly in breach of the terms of the tenancy agreement".

He added: "This case demonstrates how EDH and the police are working together to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour."

The order - known as a demoted tenancy order -means that tenants also lose the right to buy and to exchange tenancies. Demotions last for an initial 12 months but can be extended if action is taken to repossess the home.

Repossession is easier with a demoted tenancy as the landlord only has to demonstrate that proper procedure has been followed - they do not have to present evidence to court to back up their action.