Gossipy Neighbour.

[tillytoodles1]

One of my neighbours is an awful gossip. She's always outside talking and pointing along with a few other people. Recently I found out she said some vile things about me and my late husband, and I'm angry and upset in equal measures, as its not remotely true. I want to report her, rather than confront her. We live in council property so do I go to my housing officer?

It sounds very hurtful Op. But I am not sure that you can report someone for telling lies about you.

Surely she can't be allowed to just make things up and spread gossip.

Go round and give her a piece of your mind

Sorry OP but I don't think there's anything you can do other than confront her. Its horrible I know but essentially you cannot report someone for having a hurtful conversation. She's hasn't broken any laws snd won't come under a hate crime.

I'd speak to her.

Well if it is untrue you can take a civil defamation action but you have to be able to prove damage. And practically I assume if you live in a council property you don’t have excess funds to pay for litigation. So no, you can’t report someone to the housing officer for being mean. Doesn’t stop it being upsetting for you though, I’m sorry you’re going through this.

Find next biggest gossip to her and put them straight about her lies, if you don't want to confront her.

Ignore her she has absolutely no impact on your life. If anyone chooses to believe her then they aren’t friends of yours.

Don’t waste your time and energy and thoughts on these kinds of people.

If you do see her when you are out address her by name - Mrs Mangel.

Who do you report gossips to? Much as some might like a Saudi-style Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, we in Britain don't run to this. You just have to take the higher ground. Most people spot gossips a mile off and don't like them.

I think you could still send a letter to the housing association as it is a type of harassment. If there are future incidents where she does the same to others then this builds up a picture of her which could be useful

Actually if she is sharing out and out lies (that you can prove) you might have a case for slander.

Thanks everyone, it's so annoying that she gets away with it. She's always gossiping and complaining about people, but never to their face.

Find out who shes talked to and tell them what she's got wrong. Tell them the truth.

@tillytoodles1

Thanks everyone, it's so annoying that she gets away with it. She's always gossiping and complaining about people, but never to their face.

Most people will be aware that she is a nasty gossip and likely talking about them too, so will take her with a pinch of salt. I used to have a work colleague like this and most people disliked her and knew not to tell her anything. Just joke about her gossip and lies 'what she's like, the things she comes up with' to a few of your other neighbours, or someone influential in your neighbourhood, if you want to put the record straight.

Pah, say that youve heard/been told that some terrible things are being said about you to her and your solicitor is looking into it

Possibly it may come under anti social behaviour,the council/ housing association may take a record of it,but not sure what they could do
Alternatively you could make up some outrageous gossip about her?

Every single person in your neighbourhood knows what a piece of shit this woman is. I wouldn't even worry about it.

Op we have one like this and she's caused me nothing but hell! Housing won't duo nothing and neither will the police, these type of people love the drama, the gossiper around me I'm still yet to here something good about her.