COUNCIL tenants who flout safety rules have been warned they may face eviction.

By law, Middlesbrough Council must carry out checks for carbon monoxide emissions on gas heaters in council houses every year.

Contractors employed by the council arrange to inspect the heaters and most tenants keep appointments.

However, the council has told tenants who persistently fail to keep their appointments they face eviction.

Councillor Michael Carr, executive member for housing, said the council had taken the decision as a last resort and added: "If a few people will not co-operate then they will have to face the consequences."