Nightmare Neighbour Holding Post Hostage

[SoleLavender]

Looking for some advice for my DGM.

GM lives in a block of 6 flats (opened by 1 LL) which is privately rented (not social).

Since COVID-19, one particular neighbour has taken it upon himself to police the flats and it's post. I'll refer to him as X.

Each flat door has their own letterbox but since covid, X will not let any posties into the building, bullied them away and demands that they leave all post in a basket in the community hallway. X will then deliver the post himself when he sees fit.

This is a huge concern private and confidential post it lying in a basket for anyone else to grab.

X has also taken it upon himself to police who comes and goes into the flats. He's put up posters on doors and walls stating that under Government Guidelines, no visitors are allowed into the building and residents are not allowed to leave to visit other households. Which is completely wrong, not that it's his place to enforce any rules.

Whenever my DM goes to see GM, he harasses her. Saying how she shouldn't be there blah blah blah. My GM and other elderly residents feel completely intimidated, harassed and isolated.

Now X WAS the building care taker but was sacked after a falling out with the LL. He is not the LL (not that a LL can dictate visitors) and he has no right to be putting up posters and policing what others are doing.

What can we do here? He is not rational and cannot be reasoned with. Is this a matter we can raise with the police?

What a horrid man. Has anyone spoken to the landlord or the letting agent.

Yes. I think the Postal Services Act 2000 makes it an offence to delay mail. Report him and get a better system for post delivery. He sounds like a control freak.

LL aren't interested as the building is up for sale anyway. They are useless and just want shot of the place. GM is looking to move but X is harassing her and stressing her out almost every day.

Speak to the ll. I would go round and remove all the posters and replace them with the correct current laws.

Oh and take the posters down. He will be infuriated and print more. Take those down, too. 😁

I would raise it with the police. This behaviour is very intimidating.

Speak to the police. The behaviour cannot continue.

I'd have a chat with the police for sure. He's being intimidating and harassing and has withheld post, all of which can be police matters. Hope it gets sorted, he sounds like a nightmare.

Definitely raise it with the police, however let landlord know what you are doing and why.

Yes, if he’s harassing her in addition to delaying the post and restricting activities of residents then he needs an unfriendly visit from the police.

Speak to the police

Since the landlord doesn’t seem to care, with regards to the post can you get a Royal Mail divert on the mail to your dm’s then when she pops into see your gm she can bring the post. As you’ve mentioned if x is getting the post and ‘delivering it’ you don’t want some ‘going missing’

I’m not even sure the police can do anything, but maybe speak to your gm’s community support officer. I suppose this sort of thing comes under their remit.

Raise it with the police and inform the landlord that you have done so. Inform the landlord that withholding mail is an offence and report it to Royal Mail too.
I feel so sorry for your grandmother and her neighbours.
I hope this gets resolved soon.

Short term, can you redirect GMs post to yours? Least you know it's safe and not being tampered with.

I think having a word with the police is is a great idea.

I would speak to the police and to the post office - he has no legal right to interfere with the mail, and as others have said, it is an offence - and he is harassing your GM - I’d report that to the police too.

I think I would speak to the royal mail about the delivery of the post. And the police. And the landlord. It isn't on to control the mail like that. I'd remove his posters every time as well.

He is interfering with the Royal Mail, which is an offence.
Discuss this with the Police. By the sound of it I don't think it is worth it or necessary to inform the Landlord.

Inform landlord and let him deal but also request hallway post boxes. Personally I would gey post redirected so he can't access it. For visits print up correct advice and post up, if he speaks to you point him at those posters and let him, know that if he continues to harrass and bully social services and or the police will need to be involved

Speak to your local council anti-social behaviour team, also might be worth contacting the local neighborhood police team. Both have powers under the 2014 anti-social behaviour, crime and policing act regards this type of behaviour.

@Mammyof22020

Speak to your local council anti-social behaviour team, also might be worth contacting the local neighborhood police team. Both have powers under the 2014 anti-social behaviour, crime and policing act regards this type of behaviour.

Yes. Both of those. He is restricting access to the building, and attempting to prevent residents from leaving. Inform the landlord and tell them that you are contacting both the local neighborhood police and the anti-social behaviour team.

This is a police matter, he is harassing all the residents.

The LL won't be interested.

Just contact the local neighborhood police, the anti-social behaviour team, and the Royal Mail. Between them, they should be able to sort this out.

In the meantime, tear down his posters and get your mail redirected so he can't access it.

Get the mail redirected, to be honest I’m surprised the postman leaves the mail in the basket as I thought all mail had to be delivered to the address on it if not it’s returned to sorting office, of course
I could be wrong. Also speak to The police about this mans behaviour it’s not on.

I would Inform the royal mail, police and landlord.

I would also see if you or GM speak to the other residents to see if they will also back you up and complain to the landlord at least with you.

And agree with pp also of ripping down his posters.