THURROCK Council is to review the wording of documents it sends to residents as part of its tenancy agreement with them after admitting they were not being courteous.

An angry resident, Terry Read from Purfleet, took the council to task after receiving what to all intents and purposes was a threatening letter, accusing him of not responding to previous communications about the tenancy audit.

In fact Mr Read had been in touch, not once - but twice.

He has since received an apology but says the way the council is treating residents is wrong and it could cause distress and worry to some of them.

The council has conceded the point and in a statement to Thurrock Nub News said: "The council undertakes an audit with every tenant every three years to make sure that the property is in good condition and is meeting the tenant's needs.

"!This audit is part of the council's tenancy conditions. Tenancy Audits usually take place face-to-face through an officer visit to the property but that has not been possible this year so they have been done by phone.

"The vast majority of residents have responded quickly and thousands of audits were carried out promptly. Where we receive no response from a tenant, we send a second follow up letter, and where that fails to elicit a response, a third letter is sent to all tenants yet to take part in the audit.

"This month, 700 letters like this were sent to tenants and the response has been very good.

"This is the only complaint we have received in relation to these letters. The council will investigate this complaint and respond to this tenant following the outcome of our investigations. We have reviewed the letter in question and will be revising its wording to ensure that it is clear and courteous

"Thurrock Council welcomes feedback from residents on how we can more effectively communicate with them and we will take on board the comments provided to help ensure we interact in a polite and collaborative way with our tenants."