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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbours from hell

183 replies

Fullofhotcrossbuns · 14/04/2022 07:36

I am looking for advice or options to help me against these awful people, here is a list so I do not drip feed.

House hold rubbish just thrown out into the street the latest addition are nappies.

House hold rubbish and nappies in the back garden which is now coming over to our garden we are concerned about rats.

Banging on the walls until 10:30-11pm most nights.

Drug use

Drug dealing

We went away and DH stayed home on few weekends ago they destroyed the front garden, on the Saturday they were kicking a ball against the house aiming for the windows whilst hanging around on our door step, Sunday morning they tried to break into the house but the dog started barking DH had kept it quiet to see how far they will go.

The people who visit them block our car in and refuse to move, stare at us when we are leaving the house, swear at us or make hand gestures.

Regularly have to listen to DA to the woman and kids when reported to the Police they asked what is the problem what do we expect them to do?

Benefit fraud.

Leave 4 and 6 year old outside screaming in the street during nice weather.

If driving in the area they will abuse us and the male does a “come fight me” gesture with his hands and arms.

It is all very draining and no one is willing to help us

OP posts:
Foolsrule · 14/04/2022 09:25

How is it that the feral are allowed to get away with this?

FloraPostePosts · 14/04/2022 09:30

I would definitely go to an appointment at your MP’s surgery, with a clear list of all the reports you’ve made and details of which organisation or agency they were made to, with the outcome. The number of ‘no response’ notes should make them sit up and take notice.

However, everyone has to live somewhere, and all that would happen if the agencies did their jobs is that these people would likely be monitored more closely, but otherwise left in place unless convicted of a crime and imprisoned.

The best option for you is to move, however ‘not easy’ that is.

HardRockOwl · 14/04/2022 09:31

So..:

Police won't help as they're 'all about to retire and don't bother to enforce the law anymore'

Local councillor ignores you

Cameras not helping

IPC backed the police (who are all retiring)

You report them for benefit fraud - this is ignored

Housing Association won't do anything

Social services weren't bothered

Your 250 reports to various agencies were ignored

I'm not entirely sure what other options there are here? If you've really done all of the above then I think it's time to throw energies into moving

Kinkybutkind · 14/04/2022 09:32

That sounds awful! What a nightmare.

The Community trigger is a multi agency review which is done via the local authority and whilst it does involve the police isn’t led by them. It will include the HA too.. it be worth approaching the LA and providing a complete list of all the incidents you’ve experienced, who you reported it to each time and the outcome. Plus I’d also echo the advice from the PP who works for a HA. Good Luck 🤞

Nidan2Sandan · 14/04/2022 09:34

@Foolsrule

How is it that the feral are allowed to get away with this?
Because as social housing providers we are ordered by the courts to help people maintain their tenancies at all costs pretty much.

Social housing providers arent even allowed to evict our own residents, only a court can do that and its nigh on impossible to get a possession order these days. In the last 2.5 years I have only gotten 2 evictions. One for drug use where we had a user die in our property, and one for a convicted paedophile who went to prison.

We now have to prove we have tried all the non legal interventions and offered mental health support etc before a Judge will even consider issuing an order. Believe me, its exhausting. We have over 700 ASB cases on our books at the moment, the vast majority are much like the OP describes.

Believe me, certainly for my HA it's not that we're not interested, we have a whole team dedicated to it after all, but the system is not in our favour.

We rely on police forces that are overstretched and a court system so backlogged, with district judges so out of touch with reality that it's a constant uphill battle.

Original poster
Fullofhotcrossbuns · 14/04/2022 09:35

@HardRockOwl

So..:

Police won't help as they're 'all about to retire and don't bother to enforce the law anymore'

Local councillor ignores you

Cameras not helping

IPC backed the police (who are all retiring)

You report them for benefit fraud - this is ignored

Housing Association won't do anything

Social services weren't bothered

Your 250 reports to various agencies were ignored

I'm not entirely sure what other options there are here? If you've really done all of the above then I think it's time to throw energies into moving

Believe me everything is going into moving but we still need to try and get something done whilst here
OP posts:
barbrahunter · 14/04/2022 09:35

The police used to raid my vile neighbours' house quite regularly, and a few times they were taken away in handcuffs, only to appear grinning the next day. Over the years that I lived there, I had a couple of spells of respite when they were in prison, but they always came back, like the hounds of hell.
I am agreeing with the others that by hook or by crook you're going to have to move, OP.
I used to believe that this was a safe country (and I suppose it is when compared to some and obviously I am not counting the atrocities going on right now) and it came as a terrible shock to understand that I wasn't safe in my boring uneventful day to day life. None of us are. Neighbours from hell can happen to anyone, and if it happens, you are on your own.

Inthesameboatatmo · 14/04/2022 09:38

Op I also have a shared ownership property with the HA. The HA have acted on all the problems I've had with a certain neighbour and people who frequently visit their house. Keep diaries, timeliness etc. Council for the rubbish tell them you've seen rats if necessary and also for the drug use and anti social behaviour also council for noise pollution out of normal hours etc. Social services for any kids and the domestic abuse and neglect towards them. Keep ringing the police they will eventually do something it all just needs to be logged. Camera for the house and dash cam for the car when driving about.

GoIntoTheLight · 14/04/2022 09:39

I'm really sorry, this sounds debilitating in all kinds of ways. I can't imagine your state of mind. Home should be a refuge.

I'm a journalist though (covering local news) and I think you should go down that route - focusing on the lack of action by all these agencies.

DrNo007 · 14/04/2022 09:39

Complain to council—they have antisocial behaviour officer and environmental health officer (latter for the mess/rats and noise). If they fail to act, solicitors’ letter. Firm called Sanctum consultants (they have a website) will advise every step of the way and they are not expensive. I had very similar experience as you some years back and it was sorted via the route I suggest.

mumda · 14/04/2022 09:39

If local councillors / MP is aware then you need to involve them more often.
If they're not doing anything then find the opposite candidates at the local election and get them involved.

Get photos of the horridness in the garden. Environmental health should deal with that.

You will find it it hugely draining emotionally. You have my deepest sympathies.

Nidan2Sandan · 14/04/2022 09:42

@Fullofhotcrossbuns have you utilised the HA complaints procedure? Stage one and stage two?

If so, you can go to the Ombudsman.

MajorCarolDanvers · 14/04/2022 09:46

Phone the police about the criminal activity and the council about the environmental problems. And keep phoning each time.

10HailMarys · 14/04/2022 09:47

I would definitely go to your local newspaper at this point and make the main focus of your story the fact that none of the authorities you've spoken to about this have done a thing, in particular the HA and the council.

oakleaffy · 14/04/2022 09:47

This sounds absolutely ghastly.
I'm stunned that the police do nothing?

''Problem'' families can create a ripple effect around them with anti social behaviour, and the noise, squalor and general 'Edginess' is just unpleasant to be around.

It seems wrong that the peaceful, law abiding residents are all too often forced to move, while the antisocial ones stay put, inflicting misery on their new neighbours.

Holland put forth an idea of housing all the ''Problem'' families together in one ASBO 'village', so they could live as they liked without affecting people who like peace and no dirty nappies or aggro on their doorstep.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 14/04/2022 09:50

Can anyone remember a recent thread in which a poster was successful in getting neighbours from hell quietened?

There was lots of good advice on that thread.

GeorgiaGirl52 · 14/04/2022 09:51

Because in the UK, it is the police/CPS who decide whether charges will be brought. “Pressing charges” is a phrase which people learn from American tv shows and think applies here. It is not one of the options in Britain.

In America there is also the option of buying a gun (or several) for personal protection. That generally gets police attention too.

Ionsion · 14/04/2022 09:54

It doesn’t come as a surprise that the police aren’t bothered. They are like that in my local area too. The only thing they seem to care about is catching people go over the speed limit by 3mph Hmm

icelolly12 · 14/04/2022 09:55

Is there absolutely no way you can move? This family aren't going to change. They can be evicted but they'll only terrorise some other neighbours so I can see why that's not really a solution for the Housing Association.

h0tXberns · 14/04/2022 09:56

This sounds horrendous OP. I have experienced awful neighbours but not as bad as yours. In the end we just moved.

In addition to everything you are already doing, consider reporting safeguarding concerns about the children to their school. It's just another channel to use and might add another trigger to SS or something.

The idea mentioned about putting all "problem families" in an ASBO village is horrendous. Imagine being born into one of those families through no fault of your own and that being your start in life. Or being a child moved there with your inadequate parents. Horrible idea and would perpetuate all kinds of misery.

Hyperion100 · 14/04/2022 09:59

When I read accounts like this it really makes be think that violence IS the answer.

Sorry you're dealing with these scumbags.

barbrahunter · 14/04/2022 10:02

I used to day dream about getting a hit man to take out my neighbours. The only thing that stopped me was that I knew I'd get caught.

That's how bad it was.

StarsandStones · 14/04/2022 10:03

How about taking a sollicitor with you to the police station?
Or go to the papers...

MyChocOrange · 14/04/2022 10:04

I don't want to worry you but if you've got all this history you have to declare it to purchasers and no one will buy your house. By the sounds of it it can't get any worse so go to the papers? Or get friendly with some "travellers" who'll sort them out for you.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 14/04/2022 10:04

Local Police said there was a lack of evidence as it was his word against theirs

That'll be the real reason they discouraged your cameras, since real evidence should oblige them to act

They probably won't though; these people were almost certainly known to the Council already, and since they'll feel they have to put them somewhere it's been made your problem instead

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