DEBT collectors are on the trail of Kirklees Council tenants who haven't paid their rent.

Three agencies have been called in to chase up ex- tenants who owe cash.

Officials vowed late last year they would not give up on £1.14m in unpaid rent.

Now specialist collectors aim to seek out the rent dodgers.

And those who haven't paid are being urged to get in touch before the agencies find them.

Cliff Whiteley, chairman of Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, said: "Our performance on collecting arrears is improving every year. But we realise that we need to improve further to enable us to reinvest this money in our stock. Tenants who leave their home owing us money must realise that we will do all we can to collect this.

"The agencies we have selected have staff working in all parts of the country. They will trace these people and collect the arrears," added Mr Whiteley.

Housing chiefs are relying on agency staff's powers of persuasion to make people pay up.

The principal housing manager at Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, Roy Ibbotson, said: "They're skilled at talking to people and explaining that it's in their best interest to pay.

"They can also get extra information, such as where people are working, that we can use," he added.

As a result of the investigations, cases could be brought to county court and bailiffs brought in to seize people's possessions.

The court can also order that debts are paid directly from wages.

Arrears from existing Kirklees tenants have been reduced to £1.8m, the lowest for many years.

The debt collection agencies will not collect these, but will concentrate on the arrears of former tenants and payments for rechargeable repairs.

Several staff from the agencies will be working on the Kirklees contracts and will operate on a no collection, no fee basis.

The agencies will receive a percentage of arrears that are collected.

But a Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing spokesman said: "This is money that has already been effectively written off, so what they collect is a bonus."

Mr Whiteley added: "I would urge all tenants in arrears - both former and current tenants - to contact us as soon as possible to discuss it.

"So far this year we have evicted more than 160 tenants for not paying their rent - and we will continue to take this tough line.

"Those tenants who do not pay are reducing the amount of money we have to invest in our houses.

"It is not fair on those tenants who pay their rent on time."

Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing has a team of money advisers and any tenant in difficulties with his or her rent can contact the team for free confidential advice on 01484 223262.