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I can ^smell^ my neighbour <boak>

12 replies

HurleySatOnMe · 11/06/2010 21:05

I am trying my very hardest to think of how to put htis tactfully, but am struggling so I'll give you the horrible facts as they stand. I live in a house converted to flats. I am on the furst floor, I share the main front door with the upstairs and back neighbours. The chap downstairs has his own door directly to his flat. I have lived here for 5 years and in that time I don't think he's ever cleaned his flat . His window is filthy, when I have taken parcels to him from the postman, his house smells and his carpet is littered with rubbish and what looks like dead flies. It's like something from How Clean Is Your House. He has his window open when he is in, which is right by the communal front door. The smell seeps out of it, and through it I can see his sitting room, and the collection of fly spray and ant killer he keeps by his chair.
Now, the guy is maybe 50, is very very overweight and quite clearly doesn't wash. However, he is very nicely spoken, I get no trouble from him, and he goes out every day.
The problem is that the smell is finally beginning to seep through my floorboards and it's vile. Last week I also saw ants coming up too, though being absolutely fastiduous with the cleaning seems to have gotten rid of them easily.
so, if you've read this far, what on earth do I do?? I can't go down there and say 'you live in filth, sort it out'. Is there some kind of social department I can contact? His home needs a damn good deep clean, and tbh I think he may need help keeping himself clean I desperately don't want to offend or stick my nosein, but the linger it goes on, the worse it will become and I don't want to have the affects of his uncleanliness showing themselves in my flat, especially as I have 2 dc up here

OP posts:
HurleySatOnMe · 11/06/2010 21:06

longer

OP posts:
BigBadMummy · 11/06/2010 21:09

Poor you.

It sounds to me as though this chap has had some kind of breakdown and I am not sure how you would tackle that directly with him.

Could you speak to Environmental Health? It is going to be a health hazard if it continues, and probably is for him now.

Is there a managing agent for the block that you could speak to?

WilfShelf · 11/06/2010 21:11

There have been cases of nuisance and anti-social behaviour orders against people with problems like this. I would contact Environment dept at local council and ask their advice. And maybe social services...

notnowbernard · 11/06/2010 21:13

Def environmental health

They have a duty to maintain health and safety

(Have looked into this wrt someone crippled with OCD who was subsequently living in hazardous conditions)

Good luck

HurleySatOnMe · 11/06/2010 21:14

BBm, there is a managing agent, but afaik every flat has different owners, I have no idea if he owns (the back people do) or rents like me and the upstairs guy. I would think he HAS to own it to be able to get away with it tbh. I will contact the managing agent tomorrow, and the council, I hadn't thought of them. I think he just doesn't know how to look after himself, but I just do not see how he can live like that

OP posts:
Tortington · 11/06/2010 21:15

report report report - i mean seriously you have to be a bit dim to have not rung envornental health

HurleySatOnMe · 11/06/2010 21:16

custardo, I'm not dim at all thank you. I'll let that go as you're pissed

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autodidact · 11/06/2010 21:17

What kind of tenancy do you have? If council or housing assoc alert your landlord- they should be able to refer him to tenancy support and/or to the local Community Mental Health Team (CMHT). If you are buying/renting privately you could try referring him to the CMHT yourself. Look at your council website to find the number.

HurleySatOnMe · 11/06/2010 21:19

It's a private tenancy. I didn't want to assume it was a mental health issue, but I suppose it has to be doesn't it? It's not normal to live in squalor

OP posts:
autodidact · 11/06/2010 21:22

It's not necessarily a mental health issue. But it could be and the man may need help.

Surprise · 11/06/2010 21:41

From the people I've seen on HCIYH, they all seem to be relieved when it's all sorted out, so you will probably be doing him a big favour by getting in touch with the env health/council. Good luck - and it's nice that you're being so sensitive about it.

violethill · 12/06/2010 10:55

Yeap, agree about Environmental Health. You say he gives you no bother - but he does - you should not have to live with the negative effects of his lifestyle. Its no different really to if he were playing loud music - the way he lives is impacting negatively on your life. He may well have mental health issues, so he could need help for those anyway.

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