Page 14 | Not seen neighbours in weeks lights and heating on

stillwaitingonaring · 2022-01-13T10:14:41+00:00

Been thinking to myself the last week or so how weird it is that we haven't seen the neighbours in weeks probably coming up to a month now. Every single light on in the house and heating on all day and night. They have had lots of police involvement in the past, she had 4 older children with learning difficulties police were being called out so many times a week. Her children are normally jumping on the car roof slamming doors etc. Not seen or heard a peep from them since mid December. I always felt sorry for her because it seemed like she couldn't cope with all of them in that small house they were running her ragged. I knocked on yesterday morning and obviously no answer, is this something you would report to the police or just leave it?

Chimley · 16/01/2022 10:11

Sounds like they might have done a flit but absolutely right to let the police know in case something has happened to them or incase the police should be looking for them for previous activities.

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 16/01/2022 10:12

[quote JustDanceAddict]@JustLyra - that is not true. We own a flat and when the tenants move on and we occasionally have a gap, we are immediately contacted by the council for council tax and have to pay any gas/leccy in the interim.[/quote]
The council don't know to contact you by magic, they know because the tenant has told them they are moving

I've never done a moonlight flit but I'm petty sure it doesn't include notifying the council and utilities.

Imatramp1 · 16/01/2022 11:13

Maybe the council/housing association moved her to a new address.

Maybe there was an eviction and she did not deal with anything until last minute . So things got left behinde, left the heating lights on in their rush .

ThePlumVan · 16/01/2022 11:25

I think (hope) they’ve fallen behind on rent and done a bunk before the eviction process starts.

They’ve left the lights/heating on to build up a bill for the HA out of spite.

ThePlumVan · 16/01/2022 11:28

Also, HA are allowed to pass on forwarding addresses (where known) to utility companies to recover debts.

And anyone can claim council tax suspension on an empty property for a short period (use to be 6 months), or longer if significant works are taking place (use to be 12 months).

ithoughtisawapuddycat · 16/01/2022 11:32

Place marking to see what happens

JustLyra · 16/01/2022 11:37

[quote JustDanceAddict]@JustLyra - that is not true. We own a flat and when the tenants move on and we occasionally have a gap, we are immediately contacted by the council for council tax and have to pay any gas/leccy in the interim.[/quote]
What’s not true about it?

You, as the owner, have to pay utilities in the void periods.

In a HA property the HA, as the owner, have to pay for utilities used in the void periods.

Who do you think pays for any electric used while HA staff are in doing any work between tenants? It isn’t the old tenants and it’s sure as heck not the utility company.

JustLyra · 16/01/2022 11:40

[quote GrannytoaUnicorn]@JustLyra Absolute nonsense! [/quote]
What’s nonsense about it?

Who then @GrannytoaUnicorn do you think pays for any utilities in void periods?

It’s not the previous tenant as it’s not their usage, ditto the next tenant. So who then?

Or do you think utility companies give HA’s freebies?

CrackerGal · 16/01/2022 13:00

@SnoopyLovesLucy

Far from it *@CrackerGal* . I'm making an observation not coming along to solve the mystery or recount personal experiences

I'm just here to see if the OP ever solves the mystery! 🧐😄

CrackerGal · 16/01/2022 13:03

Wow that's absolutely awful I'd never heard of this case before, poor lady.

CrackerGal · 16/01/2022 13:04

That was to GrandmasCat who gave a link to the article.

RevolvingPivot · 16/01/2022 13:47

Gosh don't try the front door. If something sinister has happened your dh fingerprints are on the car door now. Just wait until the police go round.

GrannytoaUnicorn · 16/01/2022 18:28

@JustLyra The previous tenant is responsible up to the point they move out. If they do a runner, they're still responsible for all utilities until the end of their contract or the current month of which they're discovered as having run off. Whichever is soonest.

Original poster

stillwaitingonaring · 16/01/2022 19:12

Apologies everyone forgot to come back last night after I spoke with 101. They couldn't give me much info due to data protection but have said they have spoken to the family and they are fine. She couldn't say if they would be returning to the property or not. I can't imagine they are we walked round the back earlier and had a peep the living room looked filthy and the sofas were stood up on the side fancy doing that to a brand new home. Hope they give it to someone that needs it x

OP posts:

CrackerGal · 16/01/2022 19:13

@stillwaitingonaring

Apologies everyone forgot to come back last night after I spoke with 101. They couldn't give me much info due to data protection but have said they have spoken to the family and they are fine. She couldn't say if they would be returning to the property or not. I can't imagine they are we walked round the back earlier and had a peep the living room looked filthy and the sofas were stood up on the side fancy doing that to a brand new home. Hope they give it to someone that needs it x

That's great they're OK thanks for updating!

TheChip · 16/01/2022 19:14

Glad to hear they are all okay!

sunshinesupermum · 16/01/2022 19:18

So they cut and ran?

Isitschool · 16/01/2022 19:21

@stillwaitingonaring

Apologies everyone forgot to come back last night after I spoke with 101. They couldn't give me much info due to data protection but have said they have spoken to the family and they are fine. She couldn't say if they would be returning to the property or not. I can't imagine they are we walked round the back earlier and had a peep the living room looked filthy and the sofas were stood up on the side fancy doing that to a brand new home. Hope they give it to someone that needs it x

Glad they are OK. It sounds like she's had a really hard time from your other posts. So that may be why the house is how it is . Probably been hell for her . Hope she's getting the help and support her and the family Need.

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 16/01/2022 19:39

@JustLyra well what usually happens is when the tenants give the council/HA the keys back they go into the property and take meter readings and give them to the utility company

If they do a flit then they'll be responsible for all the bills until the council/HA have been through all the rigmarole of evicting them (even if they've already left)

334bu · 16/01/2022 20:45

Well done for reporting this and so glad the outcome was not the tragedy it could have been.

sweetbellyhigh · 16/01/2022 20:53

Whatever the reason, I'm glad it wasn't a tragic outcome (though her life sounds pretty tragic tbh)

JustLyra · 16/01/2022 21:34

[quote EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall]@JustLyra well what usually happens is when the tenants give the council/HA the keys back they go into the property and take meter readings and give them to the utility company

If they do a flit then they'll be responsible for all the bills until the council/HA have been through all the rigmarole of evicting them (even if they've already left)[/quote]
And that’s got what to do with my point that HA’s are responsible for utilities during void periods (so the statement I originally replied to that they never pay them is wrong) exactly?

MrsLargeEmbodied · 17/01/2022 07:18

thank you
good they are ok

RedHot22 · 17/01/2022 07:28

Pleased to hear they’re ok.

I hope they’ve moved on though and that you get lovely new neighbours.

Well done

Fabulous4 · 22/01/2022 23:59

@JugglingJanuary

Yes, given history/situation definitely a welfare check.

Yes call the police.