Noisy tenants who made life hell for a neighbour undergoing chemotherapy have been kicked out of their home after magistrates served a three-month closure order.

Croydon magistrates ordered the flat in Sylvan Road, Upper Norwood, closed after they were told about failed attempts by Croydon Council officers and the police to resolve the problems.

The court heard complaints about noise from the property started in September 2013.

It did not stop in July last year despite new tenants moving in as the previous occupants regularly returned to the property.

For a short while in the winter the occupants agreed to quieten when told a neighbour was undergoing chemotherapy, but quickly it escalated again and in February police issued a noise-abatement notice, followed by arrests for harassment and obstruction.

In March the council took steps to mediate, but when the landlord and tenants failed to respond and then tried to argue new tenants had moved in when ordered to leave, a closure notice was served.

Cabinet member for communities, safety and justice Councillor Mark Watson said: "This might not have been the usual type of premises-closure case, concerned with alcohol or drug abuse.

“This case was, from the outside, one of low-level nuisance. However, it was having such a devastating impact on the neighbours that flipping our focus, from behaviour to impact, meant seeing quite clearly that the test for the closure application could, in our opinion, be met.

“This case will set a new precedent in Croydon, showing victims and perpetrators of nuisance and antisocial behaviour that we will tackle the problem effectively, and where landlords decide not to intervene and assist in the prevention of nuisance and ASB, we may act independently and seek, where appropriate, all costs incurred by us.”

Magistrates made the order at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on June 3.

The landlord did not attend court, nor did he oppose the application.