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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect to get out?

113 replies

Becca19962014 · 04/07/2014 21:47

My upstairs neighbour keeps her buggy, unfolded, in the access corridor. I can't get past it as I am disabled and on sticks and can't twist my body past it. I can't get to the bell and if there was an emergency can't get out.

I've been to the landlord and spoken to neighbour (neighbour was verbally abusive) but they're (both) insisting I'm being 100% unreasonable and obviously have a problem with children.

I can't move the buggy myself as I can't stand without sticks which I must hold on to. I can't climb stairs to ask them to move it and can't twist my body.

I've just come across this part of mumsnet and thought I'd ask you!

I don't understand why it's allowed. She knew about the toddler (who doesn't use the pushchair most of the time) and the steep narrow stairs, and narrow access corridor when she moved in. When her friends come round there are two or three there blocking the corridor.

Can someone explain to me why its considered to be so unreasonable to expect the access corridor (and emergency exit) to be kept clear please? I really don't understand.

OP posts:
MiscellaneousAssortment · 05/07/2014 18:57

I'm interested to see what happens - there seems to be a big gap between law and reality.

I've been hounded out of my flat due to the landlords issue with my disability. It was horrible and nothing I could do about it. He also took £2.5k. I have never felt so vulnerable and sub human.

Btw ss should be taking into account that you're trapped in your house and I'd ask them to reassess your banding in the light of this... That might be your way out. Flowers

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 05/07/2014 19:09

I do have text messages of landlord refusing to do anything. Does that count as in writing?

OP posts:
pluCaChange · 05/07/2014 20:54

So glad you got some movement, and that, more importantly, it has cheered you up. You were worryingly demoralised! Sad

I second Maryz's encouragement to make more use of MN. There is always someone awake, and the mere acknowledgement of your presence can be all it takes.

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 23/07/2014 23:17

It's returned. The fire brigade did come out but I've no idea what else I can do. The landlord passed the fine to the tenant who paid, the tenant is telling everyone I've got her and her toddler made homeless as they've nowhere else to go and the locks on the flat have been changed. Every time it happens she says sorry, pays the fine and hurles abuse as me for being so unfair.

I've missed medical treatment again this evening and have a gp appointment at 9am I must go to. I feeling really fed up and upset about this. I really thought once authorities were involved she would stop doing this, but no instead she pays the fines, keeps doing it and somehow has manipulated the situation so I'm now getting into trouble for causing her housing problems.

I've taken pictures and emailed the landlord and fire brigade.

Sorry for vent. Obviously fining/threats/eviction notice hasn't made any difference to her blocking the corridor, other than to result in me having abuse by various people coming to see her for making her and her toddler homeless.

OP posts:
Original poster
Becca19962014 · 23/07/2014 23:18

Sorry to clarify the locks on her flat have been changed not mine. She's done it to prevent landlord having access.

OP posts:
BoyFromTheBigBadCity · 24/07/2014 00:17

Go to cab - it"s the new for your borough/county. You can email and phone them, they'll help you work out the best solution, also how to deal with the council, and anything you can do for more appropriate housing. They can also help you fill in any forms you may need, for the council, LL or court if necessary (disclaimer, I do volunteer for cab but in an administrative, not advisory or social policy role).

You absolutely have not made her homeless.

BoyFromTheBigBadCity · 24/07/2014 00:18

It's the one for. Apologies, stupid fingers.

Maryz · 24/07/2014 00:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 24/07/2014 00:58

Thankyou for the kind messages.

I know it probably appears minor, but given other things I have going on in my life I do not need this from her, my conditions have got worse recently and I'm struggling with the further loss of functioning. I do find it upsetting and distressing her claiming I'm making her homeless because the landlord has evicted her purely because of my 'attitude problem towards her and her child'.

There isn't a CAB in my county anymore. It was closed. I did go right at the start, they just said to put things in writing to landlord and it would blow over, no need to get dramatic about things. Perhaps I can contact one in another county? I certainly can't travel there. I know they can vary so don't take that as an attack against CAB it isn't!

OP posts:
Maryz · 24/07/2014 01:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BoyFromTheBigBadCity · 24/07/2014 01:12

None taken at all Smile
OK, contact your nearest bureau and explain. you can have full cab service by phone, including appointments with a specialist housing advisor, or any advisor as they all refer to each other. If your county no longer provides the service my (limited) understanding is that you are still on the system and should be covered up by who ever now covers you. In the mean time, keep every single text, email, everything, photograph everything, create documentation, ideally with some form of 'computerised' date that you wouldn't be able to invent (so turn the date on your camera on).
I'm so angry on your behalf!

BoyFromTheBigBadCity · 24/07/2014 01:13

None taken at all Smile
OK, contact your nearest bureau and explain. you can have full cab service by phone, including appointments with a specialist housing advisor, or any advisor as they all refer to each other. If your county no longer provides the service my (limited) understanding is that you are still on the system and should be covered up by who ever now covers you. In the mean time, keep every single text, email, everything, photograph everything, create documentation, ideally with some form of 'computerised' date that you wouldn't be able to invent (so turn the date on your camera on).
I'm so angry on your behalf!

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 24/07/2014 01:19

I was told on 5th She was to be gone by 19th July at the latest. Obviously not.

Instead she opted for telling everyone she can it's me being unreasonable and unfair (using more colourful language than that!) rendering her homeless etc etc. she can find nowhere on the ground floor and everyone else puts their buggy in corridors and so she must stay until she can find somewhere else.

OP posts:
Original poster
Becca19962014 · 24/07/2014 01:24

Ok ill do that. I've been taking photos for a few months, with the exception of when it is dark, like this evening, you can clearly see the fire exit sign (I can't get to the light switch and the flash is useless and doesn't reach the fire exit sign) They are dated and timed though.

I can't prove the abusive letters are from her they could be from anyone as they aren't signed and I have other issues with tenants in building who it could be from.

I must try and get some sleep. Ill pop back before appointment. I really appreciate your support.

OP posts:
OliviaBenson · 24/07/2014 07:17

I hope you are ok op. my only suggestion is to keep ringing the fire brigade- you shouldn't be missing medical appts. Could you explain to your dr that you are having issues- they can sometimes arrange transport and could help you? Could you also ring the police about harassment? I wonder if the fire brigade how the power to seize the pushchair. I know it's difficult but try not to let what she is telling everyone get to you- I'm sure that other people can see through what she is saying.

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 24/07/2014 08:11

It has disappeared so I can get out this morning to appointment.

The difficulty is whilst those of you who are replying to my thread are being understanding in RL people are not. I'm being called unreasonable and unfair because there are so few places on ground floor available or with storage for a pushchair so I should just put up with it. No one seems to understand I cannot move a pushchair with my disabilities. It isn't helped by other tenants not complaining and being able to walk past.

I can only get mobile signal to phone 999 so can't notify hospital I cannot attend. Sending transport or someone coming to get me doesn't help either as I cannot get to the door.

Had sleepless night, hope gp doesn't have a go at me for not attending again.

OP posts:
Seriouslyffs · 24/07/2014 08:15

I hope you get to the appointment. Ask the doctor for a Social Services referral- you need someone to advocate on your behalf. Explain about the blocked access. There are two issues- that it's dangerous in an emergency and that it's stopping you accessing support you need.

fuzzpig · 24/07/2014 08:23

Wow what a complete and utter bitch :( her not you obviously! And a useless twat of a landlord too.

Sidge · 24/07/2014 08:34

Contact your MP. You can email them and they can visit you at home.

They actually have quite a lot of leverage, it would be worth meeting your MP and getting them 'on side'.

CundtBake · 24/07/2014 08:37

I had to comment and ask everyone, is it unreasonable to leave buggy in the hall full stop? I have done so since I moved into converted flats two years ago (with the blessing of the other tenants) I didn't realise it was considered so awful? There is enough space that nobody has to turn sideways or manoeuvre past it in any way. And of course I'd move it if it was causing any problems. I'm now worried they all think I'm a selfish super bitch!!

Sorry you're having a shit time OP, this woman sounds awful. Some parents think the world revolves around them and their children. Both her and the landlord have treated you disgustingly. I'm glad you've got good advice on here

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 24/07/2014 08:38

Social services.... That's a massive long story.

I did contact regarding pushchair when it all began, months ago and was told it's not their problem as it is a neighbour dispute and none of their business.

OP posts:
UriGeller · 24/07/2014 08:42

I can't understand why she has to have the buggy out in the communal corridor anyway?

Can't she have it inside her flat where it'd be even more convenient for her to get her toddler into if there was a fire? Hmm

I'm flabbergasted at this thread, Becca, and I hope your neighbour is never in a position where she has the mobility issues you have.

Original poster
Becca19962014 · 24/07/2014 08:49

Cundbake, here it takes up over two thirds of the corridor and is the only building exit and requires a lot of moving around to get past. And the tenant is being a nightmare about it

So you know, nothing should be kept in a fire exit as it can be a tripping hazard for people in smoky atmosphere. A person in a wheelchair should be able to get down the corridor.

Landlord just turned up and hurled abuse at me for contacting them and police Sad

I've got to go now ill pop back later.

OP posts:
FruitOwl · 24/07/2014 08:51

Morning Becca. Just wanted to say you are absolutely in the right in this situation and I really hope it gets resolved for you. All the best Thanks

NorksEnormous · 24/07/2014 09:20

Morning becca, stick to your guns, you are in the right here. Make sure you attend your gp appointment

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