AN arguing couple who were making like a misery for a community while they were visiting a friend have been barred from returning to the house.

When residents complained about the constant fighting and bickering at a house in Perkins-ville, Chester-le-Street District Council officers asked their tenant to deal with the matter.

But he was not in position to do so, forcing officers to take action.

The council succeeded in getting two anti-social behaviour injunctions and a Statement of Undertaking, ordered by Durham County Court.

The ruling, preventing the couple from coming within ten yards of the house, is the latest in a series of actions taken by the authority against a number of tenants and their visitors as a result of breaches of their tenancy agreement.

This is the first time that the council has used the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 to resolve behaviour issues.

Anti-social behaviour officer Ann Hall said: "We got complaints from neighbours in Perkinsville about shouting swearing and arguing by visitors to one of our tenants. A man and woman who were visiting from the Bournmoor area, were arguing between themselves.

"The tenant was not in a position to address the issue at his property and, as a result, we took the decision away from him."

Ms Hall said the council had worked closely in partnership with officers from Chester-le-Street police station.

During the same period, two tenants in the Avenues area of Chester-le-Street have been evicted as a result of breaches in their tenancy agreement.

A tenant from The Avenues, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "Our street improved, indeed the whole area improved, from the minute the evictions were completed."

Paul Stephens, acting director of community services, said: "Tenants and their visitors need to know that the council will not tolerate anti-social behaviour.

"On most occasions, we are able to resolve complaints of anti-social behaviour, without the need to use the legal remedies. However, sometimes the only solution is to take legal action."

Tenants have applauded the council for taking the action, and the council's community engagement team was able to confirm that reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in the areas affected had decreased dramatically following the court hearings.