TENANTS evicted from their homes will have to wait longer before being allowed back in social housing, under plans approved by a council this week.

North Herts District Council’s Cabinet approved an amendment to its Common Housing Allocation Scheme, which was given the green light in March.

Councillors voted on that occasion for a series of rules in a bid to cut down on numbers of people joining the social housing register. Among them was a clause which said evicted tenants could not be taken back for five years.

But, following discussions with social landlords North Hertfordshire Homes and Howard Cottage, councillors agreed on Tuesday to double that to 10 years.

Tenants can be evicted for a number of reasons, including falling into rent arrears and anti-social behaviour.

A further amendment was also agreed, in a bid to address residents hit by bedroom tax.

Councillors said they will set aside 30 per cent of one and two bedroom properties, for tenants who wish to downsize in order to avoid being hit by the tax.

The tax – officially known as the under-occupancy levy – charges social housing tenants for every additional bedroom they have which is not permanently occupied.