NEW powers to suspend council tenants from housing waiting lists if they act in an “immoral or illegal” manner are being introduced in East Lothian.

The tough new measures also give East Lothian Council the right to suspend applicants for up to three years if they have been anti-social neighbours, received a jail term for a crime committed locally or in their home, or built up rent arrears.

Among the offences which are now punishable by being taken off the waiting list for a period of time are harassment and if the applicant “has been convicted of using a house for immoral or illegal purposes”.

That could include activity such as drug use, drug dealing or operating a brothel from the property.

Applicants who refuse two “reasonable” offers of housing will also be suspended for 12 months.

The powers are part of a new Housing Allocation Policy which has been approved by the council’s cabinet.

It follows  consultation with council tenants and staff, who were asked for their views on the current points system and possibility of suspensions.

On the whole, they backed many of the changes overwhelmingly, including action against applicants deemed to break the rules.

Other key changes to the policy will see an increase in overcrowding points for families with a boy and girl sharing a room  when one is over 10 years old.

Applicants who own property and people who live with them who are property owners will also be taken into account under new powers approved by the Scottish Government.

The new policy comes into effect from May 1.

Councillor Jim Goodfellow, cabinet member for housing, said: “Concerns have been expressed about overcrowding where a family has two children of different sex sharing a room, and many of our tenants will also be glad to see home ownership brought into it.

“Changes made ensure our policy is as fair as it can be, is up to date and is also in line with the Government’s homelessness legislation.”

And Councillor Willie Innes, council leader,  said: “The allocations system will never meet everybody’s approval; there will be people who feel they are being disadvantaged and will see it as unfair.

“The changes being brought forward will benefit the current system.”