COUNCIL homes across Tendring will only be relet once they have been checked to ensure they are up to a standard suitable for people to move in.

Paul Honeywood, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for housing, made the promise at a meeting of the council’s cabinet on Friday.

He said the authority had been voted the country’s leading landlord by its tenants and it did not want to lose that accolade.

“We ensure that all properties are checked thoroughly before they are relet and remedial works are carried out,” he said.

“I have received calls from people who see a vacant council home and wonder why. The reason is that we will not let another person or family move in until it is up to our standards.

“It is about delivering the best possible service and a quality living environment and we want our tenants to have confidence in us.”

It was reported that rental income is running about £100,000 down on what was expected by December 2016.

This was due to the period some properties remain empty being greater than in previous years, often down to the state they were left in as well as checks and repairs that needed to be carried out.

The council has more than 3,000 properties across the district with an annual income from rents of around £13million.