Gentoo issues more than 60 tenancy breaches to lockdown rule-breakers in Sunderland

In partnership with Northumbria Police, the Sunderland-based housing association has now issued over 60 tenancy breaches to homes in Sunderland.

And Gentoo chiefs say further legal proceedings are set to start for those persistently breaking strict coronavirus rules.

Nigel Wilson, chief executive office for Gentoo Group said: ”Our number one priority is always the safety and welfare of our tenants, residents and employees, and that’s never been more important than now.

“We’re immensely proud of the resilience, strength and true northern spirit that’s been shown by our tenants over the past five weeks in adhering to the critical, but challenging government guidelines.

“However, we are aware of a small number of tenants who continue to not follow the rules and put the welfare of their family and those around them at risk, which we will not tolerate.

“Working with Northumbria Police, we will continue to actively challenge these tenants and seek to reprimand anyone found to be not following social distancing principles.

It comes as Sunderland County Court grants an injunction order against a tenant in Hendon who repeatedly failed to follow the Government lockdown measures put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Reports of numerous individuals visiting a property in Hendon were made to Gentoo, despite the strict ‘lockdown’ procedures.

The injunction, which will last six months, will lawfully prevent the tenant having more than two visitors to their home, as well as stopping anyone not named on their tenancy agreement to stay at the property overnight.

Sunderland currently ranks number one for the highest number of coronavirus cases per population in England.

Chief Superintendent Sarah Pitt, Southern Area Commander, said: “We are grateful to the overwhelming majority of people who continue to show resolve during these challenging times and adhere to the stay-at-home restrictions.

“However, from the outset we have been clear that we would take the necessary steps to enforce the lockdown rules in order to protect our communities.”

If you suspect someone is breaking the lockdown legislation, you can report it directly to Northumbria Police by clicking here.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.

How to subscribe to the print edition:

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.