Data obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that, since 2015, the council has taken 428 cases to court with only 63 resulting in evictions – costing the tax payer £17,812.

The figures do not include data from the years 2020-21, 2021-22 or 2022-23 due to insufficient numbers during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Herald reports.

The year 2020-21 saw no court cases or evictions, while 2021-22 saw less than five for the year. There were 11 cases brought to court in 2022-23 but less than five resulted in an eviction so an exact number cannot be revealed.

The council has said the low success rate is down to eviction being a “last resort”. It said: “Court action is not taken with eviction as the default outcome. In fact, it is most often a tool to resolve problems before eviction happens.

“Legal proceedings frequently prompt re-engagement, allowing repayment plans or support measures to be agreed so tenants can remain in their homes.”
However, court fees for each case now average around £123.