Would-be tenants with a history of antisocial behaviour will not be given social housing as part of a drive by Oxford City Council to get tough on yobs.

Nearly 5,000 people are on the council's housing waiting list, with only 400 properties becoming available every year.

The Town Hall and city housing associations are drawing up a single register on which the details of all tenants will be held.

At present the organisations have their own lists, but a common roll would enable better information sharing and reduce the chances of problem tenants getting accommodation.

City housing manager Graham Stratford said: "If there's a way we can make it less easy for those with a history of antisocial behaviour accessing social housing, then we will do it.

"I think we're pretty tough at the moment, but we're looking at ways we can tighten up."

The council already uses powers in the Homelessness Act 2002 to evict tenants who use unacceptable behaviour.

Labour city councillor Ed Turner, executive member for strategic planning, housing and economic development, said: "We will do everything possible to avoid providing social housing to those who have a history of antisocial behaviour.

"Some people might feel uncomfortable at the robustness of this approach, but we don't want people with a history of causing trouble having a second chance of doing so again.

"We'll be doing everything we can to stop antisocial behaviour, but we don't want to end up in a situation where we're challenged in the courts and end up having to compensate those who perpetrate antisocial behaviour."

Oxford's homelessness problem not just rough sleepers but those without permanent accommodation is the worst outside inner city London.

Liberal Democrat city councillor David Rundle said: "This is a difficult balancing act. We need to think of the lives of those who live next to nightmare neighbours, but we have a duty of care to anybody who lives in Oxford."

Independent Working Class Association leader Stuart Craft said: "How do you justify re-housing a nightmare tenant over a hard-working family?

"Our obligations are to the people who know how to behave."

Green city councillor Craig Simmons added: "The council can refuse to house people, but we think that should be a last resort."