Council tenants who damage their homes through dodgy DIY or vandalism will no longer be able to transfer to a new property until they pay for repairs.

Brighton and Hove City Council is taking the tough new line in January as it prepares to invest tens of millions of pounds in its 12,000 social housing stock.

Councillor Maria Caulfield, cabinet member for housing, said the Recharge scheme was aimed at deterring damage to its properties and ensuring they can be quickly re-let.

The warning was made after it emerged that two properties in Manor Way, Brighton, had been empty for more than a year.

One tenant had made his roof unstable after DIY to the loft while another had removed walls in the kitchen and living room, destabilising the staircase.

Both homes are expected to be brought back into use in the New Year.

Coun Caulfied said: “It will no longer be possible for tenants to leave their properties in this state.

“We have got so much investment going into the houses we want to keep the properties well maintained.

“If people do major DIY projects then we have to put them right.

“We are talking about a small percentage of people but we have a shortage of housing and we cannot be leaving family homes empty.”