All local authority tenants sign either a tenancy or licence agreement when they start renting which sets out their rights and responsibilities, along with those of the council.

Although the style and format of the tenancy agreements has been reviewed and revised, their content has not changed since introductory tenancies were brought in by the Housing Service in 1997.

New contracts likely to include revised conditions specifically prohibiting racial harassment and other hate crime, as well as allowing social landlords to target those who abuse their partners, are now being drafted.

Other new rules will include advising customers about giving notice on their tenancies and the condition in which properties should be left. City housing management chief Coun Mike Ross said: "We're sending the note round to get the views of the Area Housing Boards on the proposed changes.

"I am aware that there are issues around the poor state that a property might be left in by that small minority of bad tenants and the need for tighter action to deal with them.

"This is an issue I know is of concern to tenants themselves, as the more work there is to do on a damaged property, the greater the cost – therefore reducing what the council can do elsewhere.

"Issues to do with racial harassment and anti-social behaviour are ones that can have a negative impact on neighbours and so it is right to consider whether they should feature as part of a tenancy agreement."

The review in the coming months will involve not only the area Housing Boards, but councillors, local support organisations, and the city's Anti Social Behaviour Team.

The Domestic Violence Partnership and other registered social landlords will be also given an opportunity to comment on the proposed new regime.

Angela Dearing, the council's Interim Head of Housing, said: "All tenants and licence holders will be contacted directly and given the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to their tenancy and licence agreement."