if you cant trust your landlord what can you do?

[Rach!]

apologies in advance if this is long and/or a little mixed up.
we have been in this house for almost 4 years, we have had nothing but trouble, reported it within 6 months of living here and having the trouble which has been allsorts from finding needles/syringes in the gardens where my children play to name calling etc.
when i reported it to the council they sent someone to see me who spoke about it with me, took the needles and syringes and went straight next door to "tell them to behave" i guess. What did this lead to? more abuse and more crap.
Which is what we have had for the rest of the time we have been here, but i really am at the end of my tether now, i havent dared to complain to the council as they dont seem to want to help, i dont know where to go what to do now.
its things like last night my eldest daughter couldnt sleep because the 2 lads (aged 24 and 22) were what sounded like having a party in the bedroom next door to my girls room, shouting balling screaming music playing etc etc, she was kept awake until 11.30pm.
at around 6.30ish tonight i shouted my sons name as to tell him off kind of thing, they then proceeded to knock on the wall as though i was annoying them, and tkaing the pee as in shouting my sons name in a "taking the mickey" way if you know what i mean?
they wont move us they just go round there, we have in the last few months been told about what happened to the people who used to live here, they lived here for 10yrs and in the last 5 were out through hell, similar to us, only in the last 12 months they were breaking in everytime the old people were out, not taking anything just breaking as though to prove a point, the old lady was on anti depressants and eventually had to get the doc involved and got him to write a note which helped there case loads as they moved them.
i have been on and off anti depressants since i was 15, but have been on them most of the last 4 years constantly, and am thinking of doing the same as the old lady did, what i cant understand is if one set of neighbours begged to be moved and then we complain why not move us and or them? save anyone else having the same probs.
i have put on an extra 4stone in the last 4 yrs since this has been going on, i feel ill all the time, i dread the thought of my kids going the same way as theirs but i dont know what to do anymore, im scared ill and at my witts end.
please advise what can be done or anything will be helpful just now.

[binkhus]

you need to keep complaining to your council and tell them you are scared of what will happen if they just keep going round to tell them off. it may also be worth mentioning you know about the previous tennents and what happened to them. when you speak to council ask to have someone assisgned to your case, some one who you can refer to when ringing this will help with continuity with your complaints. insist that you want a move or for serious action to be taken against your neighbours and start ringing the council with EVERY LITTLE THING they do. i have found that most counsils have policy in place where they dont help you untill you nstart to annoy them and badger them. you have a right to enjoy your home and should not have to put up with this garbage, good luck and keep me posted

[Rach!]

thank you and i shall keep you updated as and when

[FUBARUK]

I'm sorry to read about your housing issues...from what you said I take it your a council tenant. I know how bad things can get (past experience). I agree with what binkus said you need to keep complaining to the council, ring everyday and I mean everyday,write letters. When you start becoming a headache for them thats when they seem to start doing something about it. You need to keep a diary of all the events and also try if you can to film such events as evidence.You can try to get your local MP involved, I havn't personally done this but other people have and it has worked for them. You said you are on anti-depressants contact your doctor and ask him to write a letter on your behalf outlining how this is effecting your health. Also have you tried a house exchange or transfer? you never know you might get lucky !!!!!

and remember if all else fails don't let the bast**ds grind you down....

[Rach!]

doubt an exchange would be possible everyone knows what an awful place this estate is, every one knows it for what it is and avoids it best they can, we didnt even get to choose we were made homeless from a private rented home as landlord sold up and put into temp accomodation(a gorgeous flat with lovelyy neighbours) they said you have to take 1st offer otherwise its your fault your homeless and we cant help you.

[FUBARUK]

well I did say you might be lucky !!!......as I said you need to keep contacting the council, enviromental health (noise), the citizens advice and police. It's all you can do really and you need to be relentless...my friend lived in a small 2 bed house with her partner and 4 kids. They rang the council and was told weekly that they were 40th on the list and then the next if could go up and down. Eventually they had enough and rang everyday, they became such a pain that after 5 weeks they were rehoused to a 3 bed. If you have a genuine problem then don't feel bad about hassling them that's what they are there for, it's their job.

[binkhus]

i was in exactly same position as you, got made homeless then council put me in a problem house on the worse estate in the area. i was broken into , has stuff in my garden set on fire and brick thrown over the fence when my kids were playing , graffiti on my front door it was awful and the council said nthey wouldnt move me. but i went into the office every day with a sheet of paper with everything that had happened the day before on it and look around for empty houses and made a list of these for them and took it in. after 4 weeks of seeing me every day and constantly ringing they offered me this 4 bed house next door to my brother!

[Rach!]

ahhh thanks for that, am going to buy a notebook on friday and start using it as a diary, i have lots of scraps of paper with all other things written on them that has happened since this