Horrible neighbours

[born2bemum]

Just looking for some advise. We moved into our house almost 3 years ago (renting). We love our house and couldn't wish for a nicer landlord. My mum only lives round the corner so I'm close to her and the family's living either side of us are lovely.
Thing is last year a woman moved in down the street, and her children are so bold. They run riot all the time. Playing knock door run when LO is in bed. She's not the type to complain to. She is usually to stoned to care and her friends that she has round are no better. Her current boyfriend was fighting in the street today!!
I am dreading the summer and her drinking parties in her front garden ... I don't want to have to move. Is there anything I can do or who can I complain to? Not sure if she is renting privately or not. I loved it here till she moved in now I feel I have no peace.

 

[wifeywifey]

I was told by my last landlord to complain to the council even tho it was a private rent. Might be worth a try

 

[born2bemum]

Thanks hun. Do you know can I complain anonymously? I don't want to draw her on us.

 

[wifeywifey]

You might have to give them your details but they can't tell your neighbours. They will probably make you male a diary of issues before they will do anything. Dates times what and who etc.

 

[Pumpkin9]

Feel your pain, there are some housing association rentals round the corner from us, majority of the people are fantastic and look after their houses however 2 properties are terrible, drinking outside the front, rubbish everywhere, kids screaming and running all over the place totally out of control.

Hope you get it sorted as it's horrible to contemplate moving when you've found somewhere that was previously perfect!

 

[kinkers]

You can complain to the council. If she's in a private let then the council should still be able to contact her landlord and they'll have to do something about it as landlords have a duty to ensure that their tenants are not behaving in an anti-social manner. If the landlord doesn't resolve the issue then the landlord will be liable and will be punished by the council.

 

[Taboo917]

Hiya, just thought id post as we have the same issue at the moment, we own our flat but below us is a rental and we had new tenants move in in December who are horrendous, played loud music constantly and there were instances where the dog was left alone for hours and howled continuously. They are similar in that they're quite terrifying I would never go to speak to them and even my husband who's a 6"2 rugby player wasn't keen!

If you go on your local councils website they will have a phone number for a noise team to contact-it's usually a similar team for anti social behaviour. They do take your details but don't tell the people who has made the complaint when they make their visit. Keep a log of incidents as others have said as well. We also contacted the letting agent directly as we'd seen the sign in the window so knew the agency. When they didn't reply we looked up the landlord on the landlord registry (online) and contacted them directly.

The noise team has come out 4 times, the 3rd time the people were formally cautioned and if a subsequent incident occurred all music equipment hifis etc would be confiscated. That has stopped the music the 4th occasion was related to the dog (we're more concerned about its welfare than the noise).

We're in Scotland and I know the laws are different in England but I have a friend who let a property in England and had complaints from neighbours-they wanted to get the tenant out but in the end found it was cheaper and quicker to wait until the end of the mandatory lease period and not renew it than try and evict them. We've been told similar by the letting agent so have to bear with until June when they'll be asked to leave. Another option is to go to a citizens advice bureau they'll be able to tell you exactly what your options are.

Hope you get somewhere with it-we're ttc currently and our neighbours have caused us massive stress so can't imagine how it is once a baby is in your life. (Also sorry about the essay!)

 

[born2bemum]

Thanks girls! I was just coming back from shop in my car and her daughter who is approx 4 years pjs stood in the middle of the road and would not move, when she did and I drove past she punched my car!!! I'm shocked.. now they are out at this hour screaming and shouting. And my poor LO is asleep, I really hope they don't wake her. I can't put up with this. You wouldn't mind if they had parents you could actually speak to. Im afraid to go to council in case they find out its me that complained!

 

[ClimbingRose]

My nieghbours arent so problematic, but they breed dogs and the constant barking really gets to me, a month or so ago, I got to the end of my tether and rang the council who took down my name and address so they could send me a compaint pack which has a diary in it to write down dates and times of noise.
In the end I decided against it, as I live in a very small rural area, and I realised that its very likely that the family would br related to someone in the council. Round here everyone is related to everynoe if that give you an idea of what type of place it is!
I thought it would be pointless as they'd find out it was me even though I was told it was anonymous.
I guess maybe try and find out how local these people are.. are they really going to know someone in your council to find out?
The other option is to get together with your other neighbours who are good, and make a joint complaint so the problem people cant gang up on you.
In my village we have a sort of committee, and issues can be raised with them about speeding and dog mess etc... you might have the same, i've heard of other communitys/villages getting rid of problem tenants xx

 

[Punklor182]

If they are in a council house( would be easier for you) if they get 3 complaints against them in the first year they will be evicted and it's all confidential apart from they will know it's someone in the street you have a year b4 you get full tenancy so the more you complain the quicker they will have no choice but to move it's part of the agreement with the council

 

[mellie_88]

Yea definitely complain tot he council, if she's being noisy at night time too then I assume you can complain to the police too. Due to noise restrictions etc.

 

[JD.Deedee]

That's deffo anti social behaviour you can get a diary to keep from the council to two weeks so they can evaluate the situation and take action x

 

[Sugarpop]

If the kids are touching your car phone the police. They should give you a diary to log it all down and it's probably likely many others will also be asked in your street. We've had a few like this by us. At one point we went to a residents meeting with over 100 residents. You can also stay anonymous. It sounds like there could be an issue over the safety of the children too. I think the non emergency police number is 101?

If you ring the non emergency number you will have to give your name and address but if you tell them you wish to stay anonymous they won't include your name in any records.