Comedienne Joan Rivers has been granted permission to boot a disgruntled neighbour out of her New York apartment building over allegations of unpaid fees.

The veteran Tv personality has been locked in a $15 million (£10 million) legal battle with Elizabeth Hazan after she alleged Rivers went overboard as the building's president, cut her cable and filled her door locks with glue after falling behind on her condominium bills.

Hazan, who is the property owners' guest, claimed the funnywoman never liked her and has done everything in her power to get her out of the condo, revealing she was finally denied entry in September (13).

Rivers and her fellow board members hit back, insisting the dispute is not personal and is simply over the outstanding costs, which amounts to more than $200,000 (£133,330) in common charges.

Last month (Oct13), Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Anil Singh sided with Rivers' team and ordered Hazan's hosts to pay up before she could be let back into the apartment, but the socialite managed to convince police to allow her access as the hearing was going on.

Upon learning that Hazan had been let in, Judge Singh declined to have her forcefully removed from the property and suggested Rivers seek a separate court order to have her evicted.

Rivers' lawyer, Kevin Smith, filed that request this week (07Nov13) and Judge Singh ruled in their favour again on Friday (08Nov13), issuing a preliminary injunction banning Hazan and the condo owners from using the apartment until the debts are settled.

Celebrating the victory, Smith says, "We think it's a terrific decision. It basically cuts through a logjam. The ball is now in their court."

The defendants are planning to appeal the ruling.