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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to attempt to close the gay massage parlour?

90 replies

Snotgobbler99 · 17/04/2018 15:54

I live in a small block of six, privately owned, flats and it appears that two (if not more) young gentlemen have moved into one of them and are using it as a gay massage parlour. Am I being unreasonable to want to close it down?

Well, of course, I'm not. Not only is there a constant stream of strange men ringing on the doorbell (often my doorbell) and wandering around the entrance but clients also monopolise our private off street parking, because you have to feed a meter locally.

When I say "massage parlour", I've found the adverts and it's not a legit masseurs, it's a wank shop. I'm pretty certain a massage parlour with two 'masseurs' constitutes a brothel. Do any legal eagle Mn'ers have any suggestions?

OP posts:
Queenoftheblitz · 17/04/2018 15:58

A brothel housing two workers is legal. You might have a case with the private parking.
How about putting up a sign in the communal area "wank shop at no 34"?

SneakyGremlins · 17/04/2018 16:02

share the address?

You might have a reason to complain about the parking. Is there a landlord or do you own the flat?

19lottie82 · 17/04/2018 16:04

Knock the door and ask if they can help with your dodgy shoulder, a good massage usually does the trick!

Original poster
Snotgobbler99 · 17/04/2018 16:04

It houses two - but there's a list of other wankers available. I'm already pursuing the parking problem with the landlord.

They also have dogs, which is against the lease.

OP posts:
Original poster
Snotgobbler99 · 17/04/2018 16:06

I don't think they'll cure my shoulder via my knob, Lottie (I'm a bloke - no problem re gays, I should hasten to add).

OP posts:
Queenoftheblitz · 17/04/2018 16:10

So they are renting? Yes tell the landlord if he doesn't know already.

SneakyGremlins · 17/04/2018 16:13

Is the landlord a customer? Just wondering how they're getting away with it..

Original poster
Snotgobbler99 · 17/04/2018 16:13

Apologies, I've been lax, not clarifying landlord/freeholder.

The freeholder's agent knows. I don't know if they're owner occupiers or lessees. I'll ask the agent...

OP posts:
Original poster
Snotgobbler99 · 17/04/2018 16:15

Possibly, Sneaky. As above, I don't know if there is a landlord.

OP posts:
Mightymucks · 17/04/2018 16:15

Talk to the landlord again, a lot of tenancy agreements specify no commercial businesses.

Beaverhausen · 17/04/2018 16:17

In the UK 2 sex workers working from 1 property is seen as a brothel and illegal.

Original poster
Snotgobbler99 · 17/04/2018 16:18

I will Mighty. The only thing I can find in my lease is a reference to respectability.

Obviously, the freeholder's agent sounds sympathetic but I'm not sure he wants the bother.

OP posts:
Original poster
Snotgobbler99 · 17/04/2018 16:19

That's what I understood, Beaver.

OP posts:
MildlyMiserable · 17/04/2018 16:19

See if the property is registered as a business, I recall something to do with running a business from a residential property- has to be registered with the local council and have all the relevant paperwork in place.

Original poster
Snotgobbler99 · 17/04/2018 16:20

Nice one, Mildly. It's a change of use isn't it?

OP posts:
crunchymint · 17/04/2018 16:24

No YANBU. Hope you manage to get someone to pay attention and take action.

Mummyoflittledragon · 17/04/2018 16:26

Oh god poor you. Yadnbu to try to get the business closed down.

roseannabanana · 17/04/2018 16:28

If it's a residential flat, they can't use it for commercial purposes without applying for permission to change the classification.

You could try reporting it to your local council.

Bettiedraper · 17/04/2018 16:29

You can check your post code here to find out if they would need a licence to run a massage business from their home (varies according to area):
www.gov.uk/massage-and-special-treatment-premises-licensing

Buxbaum · 17/04/2018 16:29

It's almost certainly a breach of the lease to run a business from the premises.

GodYouMakeMeCringe · 17/04/2018 16:32

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43784251

You might be interested in this article from today, particularly the Police statement.

HollowTalk · 17/04/2018 16:32

I agree with others, they aren't allowed to operate commercially from a residential building.

Get them shut down, OP!

Juells · 17/04/2018 16:32

wank shop

🤣

Dangerousmonkey · 17/04/2018 16:33

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

RulaLenskasHair · 17/04/2018 16:34

In the UK 2 sex workers working from 1 property is seen as a brothel and illegal

^^ Beaver has it.

However, in practical terms when faced with a similar situation I found no one cared. Police "kept an eye on it" and were interested in any evidence of trafficking.

Told landlord (owned whole building), who said he couldn't prove anything and therefore couldn't do anything Hmm

He cared a lot more when they did a runner after about six months and hadn't paid three months rent. I resisted "I told you so".

But, in short, no practical advice I'm afraid. It may way sort itself out in time as mine did?