Local Council - can I charge them?

[Boobydoo]

I can't seem to find anything similar to out situation on here so I'm hoping some of you will be able to advise.

 

Myself, Husband and two small children live on an estate which to be honest, isn't the best and we are working hard to try and sell our house. The problem is that most of the other houses are owned by the Council and some (not all) of the tennants aren't that considerate to others or the area.

 

This is the main situation and I want to know if I can charge the Council.

 

Our back gate (our main entrance) leads out to a footpath and then onto the access road. Each week the wheelie bins from around twenty properties are left just outside of our gate which is fine until the people who leave rubbish bags out there upto three days before the collection allow them to be ripped open by cats. This results in my Husband and I have to pick up nappies, food tins/containers, women's sanitary products and much more. If we do not pick it up the bin men just leave it as it's not in a wheelie bin. We have complained and after a few weeks the Coucil sent out a letter to every property in our row to tell them that no one should put rubbish out before the collection time. This has just been ignored. I'm so annoyed as we pay Council Tax and the estate should be kept clean.

 

We also have old tyres that have been discarded on the embankments. The Coucil strimmed the bank a few weeks ago and the tyres are still there.

 

As well as the bins outside of our back gate and litter everywhere we also have piles upon piles of old rotting leaves from the oak trees on the side of the access road. I've been told that it is an offence to sweep the leaves into the access road. The Council do not clear them up. They are slippy and piling up against our fence slowly rotting and keeping the fence damp also.

 

My last problem is that when you drive up to our back gate you of course see the for sale sign, but you also see graffiti all over the garage doors, again owned by the Council.

 

I just feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. We keep our house and garden well, but the drive up to the place just shows litter, leaves, graffiti and an unkept, old estate.

 

What else can I do? I've thought about keeping weekly photos and then charging the coucil for cleaning it all up each week. Could I do this?

 

I've worked very hard to drag myself out of a bit of a depression and I'm trying so hard to make this year a much better one by getting out of this hell hole. We have a neighbout next door who's been raided twice and put into prison a couple of times. It just all adds up!

 

I really hope I've explained my situation well as I'm not the best at putting things across. I hope I'll receive some feedback and help. I'm not someone who moans about things, however I need to do whatever is required to sell our house and move somewhere better.

[Boobydoo]

I've copied this post onto this forum as I haven't received much luck in answers.

 

I can't seem to find anything similar to out situation on here so I'm hoping some of you will be able to advise.

 

Myself, Husband and two small children live on an estate which to be honest, isn't the best and we are working hard to try and sell our house. The problem is that most of the other houses are owned by the Council and some (not all) of the tennants aren't that considerate to others or the area.

 

This is the main situation and I want to know if I can charge the Council.

 

Our back gate (our main entrance) leads out to a footpath and then onto the access road. Each week the wheelie bins from around twenty properties are left just outside of our gate which is fine until the people who leave rubbish bags out there upto three days before the collection allow them to be ripped open by cats. This results in my Husband and I have to pick up nappies, food tins/containers, women's sanitary products and much more. If we do not pick it up the bin men just leave it as it's not in a wheelie bin. We have complained and after a few weeks the Coucil sent out a letter to every property in our row to tell them that no one should put rubbish out before the collection time. This has just been ignored. I'm so annoyed as we pay Council Tax and the estate should be kept clean.

 

We also have old tyres that have been discarded on the embankments. The Coucil strimmed the bank a few weeks ago and the tyres are still there.

 

As well as the bins outside of our back gate and litter everywhere we also have piles upon piles of old rotting leaves from the oak trees on the side of the access road. I've been told that it is an offence to sweep the leaves into the access road. The Council do not clear them up. They are slippy and piling up against our fence slowly rotting and keeping the fence damp also.

 

My last problem is that when you drive up to our back gate you of course see the for sale sign, but you also see graffiti all over the garage doors, again owned by the Council.

 

I just feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. We keep our house and garden well, but the drive up to the place just shows litter, leaves, graffiti and an unkept, old estate.

 

What else can I do? I've thought about keeping weekly photos and then charging the coucil for cleaning it all up each week. Could I do this?

 

I've worked very hard to drag myself out of a bit of a depression and I'm trying so hard to make this year a much better one by getting out of this hell hole. We have a neighbout next door who's been raided twice and put into prison a couple of times. It just all adds up!

 

I really hope I've explained my situation well as I'm not the best at putting things across. I hope I'll receive some feedback and help. I'm not someone who moans about things, however I need to do whatever is required to sell our house and move somewhere better.

[stu007]

Hi

 

 

Now first question, is their a reason that these bins/rubbish is placed in that specific area at the rear of your property for bin collection day? - ( the reason I ask this is why are the tenants not placing the bins outside of their own properties for collection on bin day.

 

Have you actually made a formal complaint in writing to the council housing about this?

 

Have you made a complaint to the councils Enviromental Health Department about this issue?

 

You need to know from the Council Housing if this area the Bins/Rubbish is left for bin collection days is actually an authorised area on bin day by the Council Housing.

 

Now what ever you do please, I fully understand you wanting to keep youe aera tidy but please be aware that you have no idea what is in that rubbish that is being let i.e. needles, syringes etc. IMO this problem it caused by the Council Housings Tenants and is their mess to clean up and sort this problem not yours problem.

 

This is both Anti-Social Behaviour and Fly Tipping by the Council Housings Tenants and since they have already had letters telling them not to do this, they by continuing to do this are placing their tenancy at risk as they are breaching their tenancy but you need hard evidence that it is actually the council housing tenantthat are causing this problem.

 

I would writie a Formal Complaint to the CEO of the Council Housing reminding them of your previous complaint and that this issue has not been rectified by them as their tenants are still continuing to carry out the same action irrespective of the council housing letter.

 

You now wish to remind the council housing that this is both Anti Social Behaviour and Fly Tipping and on every occasions that this occurs you will be complaining to the council housing and the enviromental health department as it is not your responsibility to have to clean up a mess caused by their tenants and inaction of the housing.

 

You also require clarification as to who gave permission for this specific area to be used as a bin area/dumping ground for your tenants on Bin days, when your tenants are still putting rubbish out days before any bin collection takes place. This is a health & safety risk, enviromental risk, anti social behaviour, fly tipping and as your tenants have already had warning letter about this and still continue to ignore your warning are they not in fact breaching their tenancy agreement with the council housing.

 

You require to know in full what action the Council Housing is going to take to stop their tenants carrying out this anti social behaviour, fly tipping and who is going to clean up the mess left before and after bin collection and who authorised this area to be used as a dumping ground for your tenants.

 

yours .............

 

 

 

CC: Enviromental Health Department

Local Councillor

Local MP

[Boobydoo]

Thank you Stu007.

 

We have called the Council many times, but I'm going to do as you suggest and write to the CEO and send the letter recorded delivery.

 

I will update this thread.

[stu007]

Hi

 

Please remember to send your letter to the CEO of the Council Housing and not the Actual Council as they will be different and CC the letter to the other suggested but you could add to the CC list the Chief Executive Office of Local Council to make them aware also.

 

Remember to always get Proof of Posting when writing to them and keep a good paper trail.

 

Also ask the Council Housing for a copy of their Complaint Procedure.

 

and try to get photographic evidence (without putting yourself at risk) or if you already have some enclose copies with your letter.

 

Is their by any chance any CCTV in the area looking at or near the dumping ground for those tenants?

Edited January 2, 2013 by stu007

[citizenB]

Hi Boobydoo,

 

I have merged 2 of your threads as they are pretty much on the same issue - that way people advising will have the full story in one place

 

I am not able to help very much with your situation, but you seem to be getting some good advice and support from stu007.

 

It must be very wearing when you are doing your best to improve your life and keep your home looking nice, to then find others are simply letting their living space go to pot.

[citizenB]

You might also want to get the local press involved.

[citizenB]

Boobydoo, is there an update on this one please ?