New neighbours

[sequenci]

Gyz mate, where do you live?

[gyzmo]

Manchester, where Northwards Housing are acting like the Mafia cartel. I've sent a strongly worded email to them and told them I will be complaining to my MP if hey don't get their act together.

 

The music's stopped now - thank God.

[sequenci]

Mate if you were nearer I would have popped round with some of my music gear. We have 15,000 watts of PA. That would team 'em.

[gyzmo]

lol! Thanks anyway. Have my own rather powerful music system plus my surround sound is quite capable of giving an ear blasting. To be honest, I don't think they'd even care. Unlike my neighbours, I am quite considerate and keep the volume down...

[sequenci]

lol! Thanks anyway. Have my own rather powerful music system plus my surround sound is quite capable of giving an ear blasting. To be honest, I don't think they'd even care. Unlike my neighbours, I am quite considerate and keep the volume down...

 

Well I really hope you get it sorted! I hate noisy neighbours!

[gyzmo]

Just had a phone call back. Still need to make an appointment to see someone! And I still ain't seen sight or sound of a social worker...

[hilaryfrances]

Makes You Proud To Be British....not

[gyzmo]

Britain's Got Talent? Gyzmo's got talons and he's gonna start using them to rip people's eyes out soon....

[Thailand]

With ya Gyz. My new one is worse.

 

Ah well. Nowt worse that misfits that think they are clever.

 

I'm applying for work now college is finished (on top of the 30 hours free placement) I hate paying all this rent to come home to hell, home is supposed to be a sanctuary.

 

Sorry for the mini hijack!

[Thailand]

Britain's Got Talent? Gyzmo's got talons and he's gonna start using them to rip people's eyes out soon....

 

Lol, go get 'em.

[Desperate Daniella]

Hi Gyzmo,

 

Absolutely agree with Jackieandwayne.

 

If nothing happens this weekend to give you the reason to call out the police, call Social Services first thing on Monday and repeat that you are VERY concerned about this baby - drugs, noise, etc. I'd also say that if they don't treat the situation as a matter of urgency you will be forced to call the local press!! That should get some action.

 

DDxx

[Big Nick]

Get a copy of the tenancy agreement (you should have your own copy) and study it for details of decoration. My council property has a rule that 'Laminate flooring may not be used where it may disturb the neighbours.' which probably means upper floors without insulation underlay.

Also look for rules on keeping the property and gardens clean and tidy, noise levels, smoking and so on.

 

Write up a list of complaints based on these rules and stick it in an offical letter to the council and the housing agency. They might be an arms-length agency but that doesn't mean you can't stick it up em!

[gyzmo]

Ta.

 

Just heard back from them. Make an appointment they said.

 

So I did. And they only do appointments on Mondays. Great.

 

One complaint to MP coming up.

[gyzmo]

Just called teh council again because it's gotten louder and its not just the floor vibrating, it's now the walls and some furniture. Called Northwards who said they will send someone down now. They didn't

 

Called again and this time I started saying daft things like how I felt trashing in their stereo system (I wouldn't). Amazingly, half an hour later someone turned up.....

 

...5 minutes after the neighbours turned the music off.:mad:

[SOD'EM]

Ta.

 

Just heard back from them. Make an appointment they said.

 

So I did. And they only do appointments on Mondays. Great.

 

One complaint to MP coming up.

 

You should have said you was Bob Geldoff and said............

 

"I don't like Mondays:p".

 

Getting coat..

Edited June 2, 2009 by SOD'EM
Fixing punctuation

[jackieandwayne]

Would you like to borrow my yard broom? It has a very long pole, a very wide brush, and it never misses. Generally, people don't like sharp bristles up the nose and it gets their attention. Bit similar to dog training really!

 

I went out and bought one when I saw how effective it was when used to escort a debt collector from a friends property!

 

Seriously, if you are being disturbed, then other neighbours must be also. Is it possible to have a word with them? Perhaps then you could approach the family concerned, but of course not to be threatening in anyway, have a calm witness with you. This time you are speaking for all the other residents as well.

 

This is what I would be doing and saying in this situation, as a HO - so you know what level of service you should be receiving from your HA.

 

On receipt of your complaints, I would visit you at home or invite you into the office, and then arrange to visit your neighbours to see if they too have problems. Once satisfied that complaints are valid (yes, I do have to consider that it might be spite or just intolerance), I would ring the local Beat Office, re the child and drugs, SW for the same (I would most likely know if this was a child at risk already) but at this stage just to make them aware. Also Environmental health for rubbish and noise. Issue diary sheets to all complainants (this is very necessary - it is notoriously difficult to get a tenant of a HA or LA out unless they started on an Introductory tenancy) but does NOT necessarily mean you all have to go to Court these days.

 

So I've got all my info, police have told me what I need to know about them (we have an info exchange scheme here) so the next thing is an unannounced visit. Usually, I'll time it to catch them with their drawers down, from the info the residents have given me.

 

I'll turn up and discuss all of these issues with them. If I'm satisfied that all this is going on, I don't give them a chance to deny it. The interview will proceed and I will tell them that all of this is to stop, no drugs, no noise, clean your mess up and your act, and I always get them to apologise in writing to the neighbours - if in a block I make them put it in the common area. I tell them that if I have one more complaint about any of these issues a Notice of Seeking Possession will be served. I also inform them that I am in touch with police, environmental health and social services, and that if I receive one more complaint then I will be back with at least one of those agencies, but most importantly, all those agencies are watching them now. I point out in particular, what powers EHO's have with relation to confiscating music centres etc. I also point out that if SS want to call a case conference I will be asked to attend and vote as to whether a child goes on the register or not - and I can only report on what I have seen and witnessed, so they'd be as well to do as I say.

 

If I then have a complaint, from any source, but preferably from one of the agencies, that's it - NOSP served.

 

If it has to go to Court then so be it - I get paid for it after all!

 

That is precisely what your HO should be doing, and doing it now not three Friday's hence. It is a very busy job, however, ASB, voids and rent arrears have to be the three priorities.

 

So Gyzmo, if this is not the level of service you are getting from your HA they are not doing their job, and you have every right to complain.

 

You can contact your local authority and speak to the ASB co-ordinator as well. They are usually aware of people like this anyway.

 

Fingers crossed, and tongues and tempers calm!

[gyzmo]

Thanks! Easier said than done.

 

The problem about other neighbours is that they are just as bad. The property is semi detached and my half is a masionette - I live on the top floor whilst the new lot live below. The other side is the same and inhabited by some young slappers who are also fond of playing their music at eardrum shattering levels.

 

One of the girls also sleeps round quite a lot, has 2 babies by two different fathers. One boyfriend keeps coming round and mouthing off every few nights. I've called the police several times who have responded and arrested him. And then what happens? He gets released and the stupid cow next door lets him move back in. A few days later she kicks him out and the whole process is repeated.

 

As for Northwards Housing, I've already sent in a complaint that makes my feelings quite clear. On my street alone, there are:

 

My two neighbours who play music far too loud

Some guy with mental problems who shouts racist and homophobic abuse at people. He is now locked up (not for the abuse but for breaking a PCs fingers when being arrested) but his mother who lives in the same house is just as bad

A family with 6 kids. The grand mother is 38 years old and her two daughters have had 3 kids each (again by different fathers - for some reason the grandmother told me but then went on to say what a good mother she is!)

Another family with three kids that are known to be causing fires and breaking car windows, but there is no proof (and one of them is 6 years old).

A druggy family living just off the road.

 

And they're the ones I know about.

 

Incidentally, when the HA moan about my garden, they don't seem to do much about next door's garden, which has a privet hedge over 15 feet tall...

 

That's why I'm desparately looking for a job not just to earn, but so I can move out ASAP.

[sequenci]

Gyzmo matey. You should write a book!

[jackieandwayne]

Gyzmo, I sympathise, I really do! What a mess to be living amongst. I think you'd be better off moving down here (South) for a very long and deserved break! Tell me, is your estate where they film Shameless?!

 

Just one little pointer, and we all do this when angry, 99% of the time, what we come out with is steeped in truth, but try to make your complaint about the actual ASB and not these people's lifestyles. I know what you are saying, and I know how awful it must seem to be surrounded by unmarried mums, drug dealing, and mentally ill people so on and so forth, and I believe you are right, all of these situations will of course have contributed to the level of ASB you are experiencing. However, in our stupidly PC world, the minute you start complaining about those factors, you will be seen as "intolerant" of society! So, whilst what you said in your last post can easily be understood by anyone with a modicum of intelligence, and has a lot of truth in it, try to keep those feelings to yourself, (except on here of course ) and concentrate on the ASB.

 

One last suggestion, have you thought about contacting the Tenant Services Authority? (Google it). They are the new (since late 2008 I think) regulatory body for social housing providers.

 

A quick final letter to the HA, covering all what you have just said on your last post, (about the ASB you are suffering, remember) and telling them that since they are failing dismally to protect your interests you will now give them 14 days to sort this out, and to tell you what they have done to protect you, or you will notify the TSA.

 

I'm going back to work at the end of this month - oh God! I don't think I can bear it! Dogs, kids, gardens, rubbish, D/V, drugs - where will it all end?

[Smeesue]

Every time I read something like this, I'm so grateful to live where we do - off the mainland, out in the middle of nowhere, half a mile from the coast. If I open my door at 1am, the only sound I can hear is waves hitting rocks and the occasional Corncrake!

 

We had a few noisy neighbours in the city, and it can make your life so very hard - even the smallest things become huge and terribly difficult to cope with. I wish you good luck, and if there's anything I can do to help, let me know. I'm particularly good with words, and polite yet snitty letters are a speciality!

[jackieandwayne]

Smeesue, absolute bliss!! Can Gyzmo come and stay for a week?

[lexis200]

Every time I read something like this, I'm so grateful to live where we do - off the mainland, out in the middle of nowhere, half a mile from the coast. If I open my door at 1am, the only sound I can hear is waves hitting rocks and the occasional Corncrake!

 

We had a few noisy neighbours in the city, and it can make your life so very hard - even the smallest things become huge and terribly difficult to cope with. I wish you good luck, and if there's anything I can do to help, let me know. I'm particularly good with words, and polite yet snitty letters are a speciality!

 

I read this and thought you must be a bit of a nutter. Then I realised I'd misread it as Cornflake:rolleyes:

[Smeesue]

Smeesue, absolute bliss!! Can Gyzmo come and stay for a week?

 

Lol, anyone can come and stay for a week. I run the local backpackers hostel

 

I did post info about it earlier, on the grounds that one of the worst things about being in financial trouble is not being able to get even a short break away, but the bot pulled the post. If anyone wants details, or can suggest a way to make the info available for everyone, I'm open to ideas. I'd just like to add that I'm not after making money out of it. I'd just like to give people a chance to have a few days away very very cheap!

 

I read this and thought you must be a bit of a nutter. Then I realised I'd misread it as Cornflake:rolleyes:

 

 

They're noisy wee beggars, as are the Lapwings nesting over the road; it's THEIR airspace, crows and seagulls not welcome!

[gyzmo]

Well I called EH who told me that what Northwards was saying (that EH would just refer me back to Northwards) is rubbish.

 

EH sent a letter to downstairs and the music seems to have stopped for the most part. All I have to put up with now is hearing anything above normal conversation levels (brilliant when they have friends round til the small hours) and the baby constantly screaming (usually waking me up at 7am or so and carrying on til about 7 pm) and the mother making these stupidly loud whooping noises. Seems Social Services aren't bothered.

 

EH also sent a diary (have been keeping one anyway) which is supposed to last two weeks. Had it for 5 days and it's nearly half full already ...

 

And I still have to keep my window shut to stop the smell of marijuana coming into the house.

[gyzmo]

Well, the music started again a few days ago, so I called the housing office last Friday who promptly arranged for an appointment in 3 weeks time.

 

I explained that I have been assured that the housing officer would attend if I called to complain, but they said no. Instead, an email marked "urgent" would be sent to her. On Tuesday, so I promptly informed them of my disgust and put the phone down.

 

Now yesterday as I was leaving the house the neighbours stopped me. She apologised for the noise and said that they can hear everything we do, suggested a time that we could meet to discuss things so as not to fall out, and then her boyf asked "what time would it be acceptable to play music". I wanted to say "anytime - just not at the volume you have been playing it". I was in a rush and completely of guard, so said we would discuss it later.

 

I don't know what to make of all of this. How the hell can they say they can hear everything we do? My TV is on it's lowest volume setting. Their noise drowns out any noise we make. And that f*****g baby is constantly crying - they must be bloody deaf - it's been screaming now, as it normally does, for at least an hour non-stop.

 

I also feel miffed that housing told them we made the complaint - it's not that difficult to assume it's us because there is only us who would be affected - this is exactly the reason why I did not complain about the last druggy neighbour and his gang of crims.

 

I remember a case in the Lords a while ago on noise. There was apparently some legislation that requires a property to be returned to it's original state in these cases if there have been modifications. The guy lost because his property had always been in that state.

 

But mine hasn't. It used to be a full semi detached and not always a town house. So I'm looking at getting the HA to either put it back to the way it was or to put soundproofing in. Time to do some research - if I can concentrate with the noise....