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AIBU?

to be fed up with the local teenagers and the people who sold us this house

40 replies

beautifulgirls · 27/08/2007 18:41

We moved here 3 months ago. One of the appeals of the place was a young childrens park literally the other side of the fence from our drive. We asked if there were any problems from the park at all and were told that no there were not, kids obviously use it though. Since we moved in we have had nothing but bother from teenagers in there. It is a residents only area that should be controlled with a coded gate that is broken. The fence was burned down last year and the management company have still not fixed it. It clearly stated no ball games on the entrance (as it is so close to houses - literally 2 car widths away is the fence to it from our house) We have kids playing football all the time in there, right up by our property, and the ball is kicked onto our drive all the time - the kids climb over the plants and the fence, they will not listen to reason when we have tried to politely ask them to go away and play elsewhere as they are causing a disturbance. The management company rarely return our calls or emails and when they do they never give us any answers. Apart from that we get the same groups of kids hanging about in there in the evenings on the swings, often drinking (underage) and littering the place so badly. We have called the police out so many times now it is getting embarrasing to ring them. Often they can not be bothered to come here anyway so the kids just stay put where they are and keep us away until all hours. The language is horrendous, the attitude is shocking - there is no way my kids will be allowed to behave like that when they grow up.
I am cross with the kids for making our lives hell
I am cross with the police for failing to act most of the time we ask for help
I am cross with the management company for being as useful as a chocolate teapot
I am cross with the people who sold us this house and told us there was no problem here.

Any advice gratefully received. I am seriously thinking of contacting a solicitor at the moment and I just want to cry right now. Oh and I contacted the council who were also useless. Took a lot of details and did nothing as far as I can tell.

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ThisIsDavinaPleaseDoNotSwear · 27/08/2007 18:54

Did you have to sign some sort of contract with the Management company when you moved in and if so did it outline their responsibilities to you? If so, you could start with an official complaint (in a letter) copied to your solicitor. Especially if they are in breech of the agreement.

Sounds awful, hope you get it sorted soon.

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expatinscotland · 27/08/2007 18:59

You know all those threads there have been here with people say, 'Should I buy a house that backs onto a park?'. Well, I always say NO WAY.

And this is why. Ditto pubs, flats over shops, homes near any commercial business, on a pathway, etc.

Of course you were lied to, they wanted to sell the house.

By all means hire a solicitor, but if I were you I'd put the house on the market and consider it a hard lesson in 'caveat emptor'.

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jorange5 · 27/08/2007 19:20

If you think that what was written on the SPIF form that the seller filled in amounts to a lie about the noise etc then you can take legal action.

You have a decent case if the seller said there was no problem in the presence of someone else too.

Also, if the estate agent knew about the park and the kids then they were legally obliged to tell you about it as it is something that will affect the value of the property.

Good luck.

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Doodledootoo · 27/08/2007 19:24

Message withdrawn

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salsmum · 27/08/2007 19:34

I'm a little confuse to how the law stands on this 1 i know that by law if you have bad neibours you should let the new peeps know when you sell your house but i'm unsure about public land i.e. parks, pubs etc....i'm sorry to hear of your troubles we have a pub 4 doors down and the new management are a nightmare so you could try getting on to the noise abaitment peeps if they're noisy really late.
good luck

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chocolatemummy · 27/08/2007 19:38

HI sorry to hear about your situation, we have just moved from a house opposite a park.
I have to say the main reason we bought it was because it had a lovely big garden and was literally opposite a recreation ground and childrens playarea (perfect).
BUT
Every bloody weekend there were about three football games along with about thrity cars and all the shouting and chaos that goes with it, the playarea was always full of teenagers at night time shouting, swearing and drinking etc and we swore never to move near a park or field again- we left after 20 months!
this is a nationwide problem along with all the other problems we have with a lot of young people today, try the local press maybe take some sneaky photos etc and shame the parents into doing something.But don't make yourself an obvious enemy else you'll have your windows put through before you know it

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goingfor3 · 27/08/2007 19:45

We hasve a park backing on to our back garden. We moved into our house three years ago and have only had problems one night and that was when our next door neighbours had a party and some kids weren't allowed into the house. Before we moved in we checked the park for cigarette butts and bear cans about three times and fund nothing, did you do the same?

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pidgysmum · 27/08/2007 20:31

keep a record of everything that happens, contact the police, the council your MP and the local schools/youth groups - but whatever you do - DO NOT take pictures of kids playing in the park.......you may find yourself in a spot of bother. Contact your management company - but if the gate was burned down last yr before you moved in and hadn't been repaired - weren't you a bit suspicious/uncomfortable? Soz - I know hindsight is a marvellous thing. Hope it all works out for you

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Heated · 27/08/2007 20:52

Sorry you're having such a rough time.

You have 2 main choices imo: either make such a nuisance of yourselves with the management company they act to get you off their backs, or cut your losses & move.

You could see if the previous owners have also complained to the police/management company and, if they did, seek legal redress from them since they should have disclosed this.

Because you have made complaints to the police you are obliged to disclose on the seller's form, otherwise be legally liable yourselves. This could of course hinder your attempts to sell. On the positive side, the feral kids go back to school the week after next and once it gets colder and wetter you'll see less of them.

Other tactics would be to plant really spikey bushes or buy a fiercesome dog so they are less willing to tramp over your garden.

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pobletsmum · 27/08/2007 21:06

I agree with jorange5. I understand that those forms you fill in about the house you are selling are legal documents. There are many questions that they will have answered e.g. 'have you ever had reason to raise an issue with a neighbour?' or similar. IF you can prove that their answers on the form were not truthful, I should imagine that you would have some comeback. Your solicitor would know. Good luck!

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Doodledootoo · 27/08/2007 21:10

Message withdrawn

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loolop · 27/08/2007 21:12

I am ashamed to admit we told the people who bought our flat there wasn't much of a problem with kids hanging round when in fact the was, in my defence I was unexpectedly pregnant it was a top floor flat and they really were a horrible nuisance! I know this doesn't help you but try not to be cross with the people who sold it - they probably felt exactly the same way you do and when you come to sell it will you be 100% honest with potential buyers?! We also had to badger our management company to repair our communal windows and fix the security door - it took all the flats to get together and write a letter to them before they responded. As for the police - we had the same they would drive by and disperse them only for them and their damn footballs to be back 30 mins later. If you can as other people have said cut your losses and move. i really really feel for you I know the misery of sitting in your own house feeling like a prisoner - I was never brave enough to contact the paper! Good luck x

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Skribble · 27/08/2007 21:16

We live near a park, community centre, late night shop, youth club, football pitch and benches.

I thought it would be great for the kids doh!!! The kids do get to play in the park early aftenoon now they are older, but usually they go to freinds houses while I sit here and listen to all the brats and teenagers into the night shouting and swwearing and battering things of the metal swing frame.

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fick · 27/08/2007 21:17

YANBU.

When we moved to where we are now, we asked about the neighbours, was told they were a family with a lovely cat and rabbit...(should have realised when they could only speak highly of the pets), AND we drove around the street/cul-de-sac several times during the day, the weekend and in the evening twice.

It was very quiet.

But, it was April.....come moving in time in July it was warm enough and the local kids were kicking balls around, drinking, screaming, shouting, littering and generally making a nuisance of themselves on the street outside, and the small green about 50 yards away. However, I have to say, 2 summers on it went quiet as they grew up and started frequenting pubs and such instead.

Also, we couldnt tell how noisy and ignorant our neighbours were until we moved in.

Sometimes, unless you know an area well already, its a bit of a gamble really.

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Wilkie · 27/08/2007 21:20

Skim read but think you have been a little naive in listening to the sellers. Of course they are going to lie if it is that bad (not ethical but if you are desperate to sell because of it you would lie!!!!)

Did you not drive round at different times of the day to check out the playground?

No matter, I feel really really sorry for you. What a nightmare.

Sell up as quick as you can and put it down to a hard lesson learnt

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imnot27 · 27/08/2007 21:39

Oh feel REALLY sorry for you, I am so noise intolerant and I know this must be an awful situation!

You do have some legal comeback I think, as others have said re the questions on the forms etc.

Our friends live near a newsagent where there were loads of yoofs hanging about being noisy, swearing etc, so the council installed a 'mosquito', which is a thingy (technical term) which emits a high pitched buzz that only teenagers can hear!! They really hate it, and they have now all gone! Ask your police/ council about getting one in the park, could be activated after 8pm or something.

Really hope it gets better for you. Or that you succesfully move!

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hairycaterpillar · 27/08/2007 21:52

Your post could've been written by me!
We have identical problem. Our house backs onto lovely big park and has a council building beside it (unoccupied at night). We have constant problems with local youth: broken bottles and cans being lobbed into garden, drinking mostly underage, fighting, sex, noise+++. Sometimes they even come into our garden and vandalise car/washing line/kids toys/urinate/try and pick fight with DH (mobile phones at the ready to take piccy)...oh the list of problems is endless!

We've debated all possible solutions police, community council lighting at back of house etc etc but not had much success. We have recently decided that we are probably going to call it a day and move.

It makes me v and .

I do wonder how I will be able to sell the house without saying something...so in a way can understand the sellers of your house NOT saying anything to you. Noone would by a house if you went into all the negatives. Next time we buy I will do more detective work!

Hope you manage to find some sort of solution for your situation, I really feel for you I know how depressing it can be.

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UCM · 27/08/2007 21:56

The only thing I can add to this is, that if the previous owners of your house wrote a complaint at any time whilst occupying the house, and didn't state it on the forms that both solicitors should have exchanged.

Sue the fuckers. Right now. I always warn people before they make a complaint in writing or a phone call to the police that is registered. If you do not declare this you are fucked.

Check it out. Get a copy of the forms they signed then make an appointment with the council and ask to see the records.

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beautifulgirls · 27/08/2007 22:04

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. There are a few good ideas here we will look into including the photos and school/papers ideas. I have some photos of the little oiks graffiting over the play equipment that the police have - and cautioned some of them as a result too. More photos will not be a problem to get, especially if I clear the idea of taking them with the PCSO when I next speak with him too, so he knows officially what I am doing and why.

We asked specifically about problems because the fence had been burnt down, but were assured it was a one off, and that the management company were in the process of getting the funds together from residents to fix it - we were given copies of the letter from the management company to prove it was being sorted. The park clearly states open 8am-8pm only, and being a residents park rather than an open to all public park we naievely believed it would be ok. We expected noise in the day - we are pretty open minded having kids ourselves.

I think we do have a good case on the previous owners here and I shall be following up on it this week to see what we can do.

It took us a long time to find this house, and we are not about to sell up anytime soon. The long and short of it is that someone is responsible here for sorting this out and we are going to fight until it is sorted out.

A friend suggested to me that we take matters into our own hands here if the management company will not act, and firstly notify them in writing of our intentions unless x, y and z is done by a certain date, and if not then tell them what we will do. In that case we shall then get chain and padlock for the gate and put it on between 8pm and 8am and get some sort of fencing up in the damaged area to prevent them using that gap in the fence to hide behind (as they do when the security/police come) and start planting lots of spikey plants to make a natural fence for the longer term.

Roll on the winter and cold weather!

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CHOCOLATEPEANUT · 27/08/2007 22:09

Speak to your council again.Ask to meet with them.They have a duty to deal with Anti Social Behaviour of this kind and you do not have to live with it.

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mm22bys · 28/08/2007 03:12

I would check your lease to see if the management company is not in some sort of breach. It might take a lot of paperwork, and a lot of time, but it might sort out one of your problems.

I feel for you...

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Genidef · 28/08/2007 03:48

I think the management company is the best use of your time and efforts. The breach of contract is a great angle to pursue, plus I would do what your friend suggested and say if you don't deal with this by a certain time, we will take action. I would try to have a solicitor send the letter as well as they can also check you wouldn't be in breach of anything yourself by the action you're taking. If it's not too expensive - citizens advice could maybe do something similar for you.

Just out of interest, as far as you're aware, did the previous owners move well out of the area, or to another part of town? It would be interesting to find out if they've left a long list of complaints behind with the council they didn't disclose to you. But on balance I think suing them etc etc will be a lot of effort for not much return. A solicitor might not agree, but I really think putting your efforts towards the management company is a better option.

Wouldn't pursue the kids with photos etc- others will come along, and the real issue seems to be that the people responsible for the park aren't doing ANYTHING they should be to secure it.

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beautifulgirls · 28/08/2007 16:13

We have contact the PCSO for the area again and he is trying to arrange a meeting with the council and the management company as well for us - fingers crossed. He is also looking into whether the old owners of the house made any complaints about the park to the police at all as they should have disclosed these to us. If that is positive we are getting more legal advice.

Genidef - they moved miles away from here but solicitors should still have forwarding addresses etc. We've yet to find out if they complained to the council or the management company.

Still waiting for the council antisocial behaviour officer to call me back......and the management company......
Feel like I am flogging a dead horse - though have a good strategy in mind for the next football game, involving me grabbing their ball when it next comes into my garden and then insisting they can only have it back when they all come and stand in my driveway and listen quietly to me. I shall point out they are not allowed to play football in there, they are causing a nuisance, trampling the plants, damaging the fence etc, understand that they do still wish to play football somewhere though and then ask them to come up with a solution to all of our problems......ok I am probably being totally naieve about that working, but at least it will perhaps be more productive than shouting at them.

OOh - local antisocial behaviour officer just called me - said she has already had one complaint from our road about this park this week! Hoorah, I am not alone. She will liase with the PCSO for me from here to see if we can get things moving again.

Thanks for all the support

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CHOCOLATEPEANUT · 28/08/2007 19:45

Keep the pressure on the Anti Social Behaviour officer,they have a duty to deal with.

Can I ask what area you live in?

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Hassled · 28/08/2007 19:52

The earlier advice about contacting local schools' headteachers, with photos, is a good one. The school can't ignore it, and it won't do any harm. My DS1 is 20 and is now a pillar of the community () but went through a bit of a phase at around 14 - it involved banging on some old guy's car on his way home. Anyway, the old guy contacted the school, who contacted me, I gave DS1 the full works and the problem was dealt with.

Our predecessors in this house told me the neighbour was a "dear old thing". She's an evil witch from hell - you have all my sympathy.

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