THURROCK Council has been accused of "sneakily" getting new tenants to pay to clear unkempt gardens.

Resident Peter Perrin, a regular questioner at full council meetings who frequently holds the authority to account, called on the council to explain why tenants who accept social housing properties "as is", later find themselves being asked to finance garden clearances which should have been done by the council.

The council has a duty to ensure properties are let to new tenants in good condition but speaking at full council, Mr Perrin said: "I believe the council, when letting or reletting a property far too frequently falls short of the standards it sets in its housing tenancy agreement, particularly with regard to gardens.

"Are you aware that the council offers an "as is" agreement when letting a property with an existing overgrown or cluttered garden, thereby abrogating its responsibilities to the tenant. If tenants decline to accept this take-it-or-leave-it agreement they may well have to wait weeks or months for another available property."

Mr Perrin added: "To add insult to injury, having coerced a tenant into signing an "as is" agreement regarding an already overgrown garden, the council informs the tenant if he or she does not cut the grass the council will cut it and charge the tenant for doing so. How sneaky is that?"

Mr Perrin called on the council to discontinue this "disreputable agreement".

Cllr Mark Hooper, the portfolio holder responsible for health and wellbeing called on anyone treated in this manner to get in touch with him.

He added: "The council is bound by its fit to let standards and void policy. According to the standards and policy gardens must not be overgrown and must be free of rubbish and debris. These standards apply to tenants with any charges for non-compliance being rechargeable to them

"If the garden becomes overgrown while the property is void responsibility for its maintenance falls to the voids team or in some cases estate staff.

"Additionally, under the council's void policy there is some flexibility to defer repairs to speed up reletting in some cases.

"Gardens may well be left to complete when a new tenant moves in, thus the council aims it's fit to let standards by a voids policy has an exception to those rules when it comes to letting a property quickly."