to rant about the miserable old fucker next door

[BalloonTwister]

Am currently laid up after having my appendix out, all alone, and its all HIS fault. (that I'm alone, not the actual appendicits, obviously) Basically because of his wholly fictitious complaints dh is too worried about his job to take time off and my 1yo Dd has gone to stay with Mil because I can't look after her properly.

We rent, and it has been hard work ever since we got here. Originally his problem was Dh's work van, apparently it spoils his view. He called dh's company and complained, dh never parked it in front of his house again. Then he slashed (was seen by neighbour who doesn't want to get involved) vans tyres.

Parking issues escalate, next door complains several more times that dh is parked inconsiderately/ on the kerb/ across his drive/ on a corner causing an obstruction (all completely untrue) dh forced to park at work property 1 mile away and gets final written warning for bringing company into disrepute. (Boss refused to come and see for himself, claims old men of 75 do not make these things up for no reason)

so the upshot is I am now home alone, feeling sorry for myself and listening to his geriatric jack russel yap itself hoarse and having a good cry. Grrrrrrr

(So many more instances of his twatish behaviour, but post would be too long.)

The complaints to the firm were by phone Garlic. We weren't even supposed to know who'd complained, but the person dealing with it when dh's supervisor was on holiday let it slip. Am sure opposite neighbour would write anonymously though.

Dh has just reminded me that when we first moved in the police knowcked late one night and asked if we'd received any anonymous notes through the door. We hadn't, so forgot all about it. I think another neighbour might have or something. Maybe he's already known to them?

Right, I'll get on the phone. How do I find out who the local PCSO is?

I agree with others - do not let this ould shite aging neighbour ruin your enjoyment of your home.

I bought my first house years ago in a small street of council houses and the stories I was told about the previous occupant would have made your eyes water. She was also in her seventies and terrified the whole street, including burly Belfast workmen. The police were called on her numerous times for her antics, including egging cars that parked near her house (she didn't have a car but considered the road outside 'her' space), throwing things at neighbours and into their gardens, slamming doors and windows repeatedly just for the hell of it to wake people up etc.

She would have been ASBOed but ended up going into a care home. She was beginning to decline mentally but according to lovely next door neighbours she had always been a cantankerous bat 'character'...

I found a polite letter thru the door saying you are logging/photgraphing the harrassment and other behaviour , together with a draft copy of the Small Claims Court form you 'might' submit if it continues does the trick. Especially if you put the 'amount' you 'intend' to claim. Desperate times = desparate measures. Have had nightmare neighbours twice now, both times all negotiations failed and after the 'forms' were put thru door peace reigned supreme and they both moved ! I'd never have gumption to do thru with it tbh, it was a legal exec friend who told me to do this !

Old people? I'm 70 and still feel young. Your neighbour is 75 and I bet he still feels young especially if he has a wife and gets up to things there so he'll feel able to carry on being the unpleasant person he was whe he was 25. Has he a criminal record for the more common unpleasantness? For example, graffiti, vandalism? Was he a bully at work? Did he belong to a union?

Balloon I think you need to google your location/town and "neighbourhood police team" or something?

Brittania, my grandmother was still younger than him at 89! He is up at the crack of dawn most mornings, and on a sunny morning invariably has the lawnmower out by 7.30am. He always, without fail, wears a shirt and tie to do so.

He is an "old" 75, he is grumpy, he hates children, cats, especially mine, pushchairs, asian shop keepers (poor man in the shop is forever getting stick about his prices) and sign written vans! *

I have no idea about a criminal record, but am now waiting for a call back from the pcso :)

• This list is not exhaustive

Fluffy, thank you, I found it, was in the village monthly magazine.

My sister lived next to a crazy old bat too. Apaprently her husband parking his car on her drive was causing her drive wall to crack, and she threatened him with her 'mates from the IRA'. She was bonkers.

Keep us updated, OP.

This man sounds like a nightmare and very rude indeed. Like everyone else has said keep record of all he has done including days and times (the police will find these useful).

frontpaw

The neighbour on the other side more than made up for it - she was lovely and used to yell over the fence 'awwww, leave him alone!'. They moved rather swiftly though.

his car on his drive, not hers...

As others say, keep a log. Also consider putting up a CCTV camera. Even a dummy could put him off, and a real one might catch him out!

Blimey. Just had nice pcso on the phone. They obviously know him as when I gave my address they said are we talking about Mr Grumpy Fucker?

Downside is that lawn is currently out of control as dh has spent the last ten days juggling work, the hospital and spending time at Mils with dd!

Pcso is coming this evening, my house is in desperate need of a good going over with the hoover, I look a total mess, and my grass is nearly a foot high! Aaargh!

Well done OP! Don't worry about the grass and spill the whole story - make sure they know how miserable this ould shite is making you, let the tears pour down your cheeks!

I would also suggest that if they uphold your complaints that you ask them to write a letter to your DH's boss (nobber) to point out that yes, old men DO sometimes make up a lot of crap! Why should your poor DH have disciplinary stuff on his file because of your mentalist neighbour? Also good to have copy of letter in case he causes hassle with your landlord.

Just be glad you're not 'her next door' who has to live with him

He probably was a vindictive fucker when he was younger too.

Hope you get somewhere with the police.

Did they actually call him that? That would be funny.

Haha! No frontpaw, they used his real name.

They must be aware of him though, as technically, even though we are semi detached houses, we live in different roads. (We live on a corner, but I am on one road, and he is at number 1 in the next road). They knew who he was as soon as I gave my address though!

I had to quickly check your profile BalloonTwister. From your description of your neighbour and of your houses I would of bet my last dollar you had moved into my sister's old house!

As soon as I read your post I thought "even old people can be twats!". I see lots of others agree with me. Hope you get some peace and your DH gets his record cleared. I would be foaming if my employer refused to check evidence like that.

Ferret...did she live in Kent?

Chameleon, it is a massive company, with thousands of engineers, but it does make me mad that they just took his word for it every time. The complaints dept seemed more interested in the company image than the fact that dh was being unjustly punished. Bastards.

Balloon - I repeat if possible get letter from PCSO that your DH can present to his workplace. I'd probably ask for a written apology too - but that's just me :o

Angelico, I will, thank you. Was fully expecting a flaming today, but have had some great advice instead. Lets hope the pcso is as sympathetic later! :)

cameras on your property then police

Dazzled, I am definitely storing up that advice for next time I get landed with a shitty neighbour! Excellent :)

Balloon - Hey, well done! I wondered if the poslice would already know of him Don't worry about housework & lawn - you're ill and they're not the House Beautiful Police