HMO had two people who constantly drink

[Odrama456]

I live in a not so great area of town but the streets around me are generally ok.

The house two doors down (about 20 metres away) is a HMO (house of multiple occupants, single rooms let to adults).

it used to be young professionals etc, but recently it’s had two people who are 30/40s and just spend their days drinking at the front of the house.

if I leave the house they are looking in my direction. It’s a six bedroom house - no one decent will want to live with them, so it’s going to become a doss house full of other people like them. They have a back garden. The street is full of children and in my opinion I don’t want them to see this.

the two people sit on the wall adjoining the other house, I would hate to live next to them.

AIBU for thinking that it’s acceptable behaviour and should I call the property manager?

Let’s be honest here OP, it’s not like Notting Hill.

OP, I own an HMO property. If you phoned me and complained I would laugh at you. Not to your face, because I try to be polite, but definitely later. There is literally nothing I could (or should) do. I certainly wouldn’t evict them or threaten to evict them because you don’t like it. It’s their home.

I don’t know what sort of ‘class’ of people live in it (it’s none of my business) or if, or when they drink in the garden, but they have a contractual right to enjoy the garden as part of the rental. I don’t know where you picked up the idea that you are allowed to control who looks at you and their background, but I’m here to tell you that neither of us have the power to do anything about it.

I’m sorry you feel that these people are not good enough to live near you, and that they may attract more people who are not good enough to live near you. But I’m afraid you are powerless to prevent it unless they are actually breaking the law. Astonishingly, being visibly poor and common near where posh people live is not actually against the law. Yet, anyway. You could write to Priti Patel and propose it. It seems like her sort of thing.

"Astonishingly, being visibly poor and common near where posh people live is not actually against the law."
So you equate being visibly poor with drinking on a wall all day? That's pretty offensive to most poor people who don't live like that.

You think people shouldn't have the use of their front garden?

Of the 32 London boroughs, they are both in the top third for the most expensive, so eye watering. Not sure what point you’re trying to make here.

Unless we’re pretending it’s 2000 and Brixton is cheap and insalubrious? Like Notting Hill in the 50’s?

If they’re not being rowdy or offensive I really don’t see what the problem is.

Op I understand your concerns.

We have had many anti social issues over the years with all sorts of problems from HMOs.

At the moment whilst you may feel concerned I don't think you can do anything.

However if the behaviour becomes anti social or you feel threatened,I think the owner would be the first port of call?

Hmo owners are quite strictly regulated and they do have a responsibility to their neighbours.
We have had different levels of drunkenness here (including my own 🤣🫣) , from bare chested,bare feet fist fights and glassing, to stabbings.
We also have a few drinkers who seem peaceful and sit around.
So whilst I understand it makes you feel uncomfortable do take comfort that if they have been peaceful so far it may stay that way...

Find out who the landlord is and see if tenancy agreements include use of front garden

Of course not! They should be in the cellar or under the stairs, no visible to the public. Heaven forfend!

I absolutely agree and I would hate it but at the end of the day, it is low level antisocial behaviour based on what is considered decent behaviour. (And judging by some of the responses on here, a large swathe of the population would see no issue with this). But it is highly unlikely there is any rule they have broken so there isn't much OP can do.

Ok, but this has only gone on since Thursday... so 3 days? I thought it had gone on for months. Just ignore it, it's probably just the heatwave, maybe it's really hot in their house. Drinking alcohol isn't really sensible in a heatwave though. Maybe they are on holiday from work?
If it's still happening in a few weeks or months that's the time to be more worried.

Actually I’ve got an hmo next to me and the front garden is only for the use of 2 tenants who have cars parked there. My original point is valid.

Hang on this has only been happening for 3 days one of which was a Saturday? How do you know they haven't just got a few days off work?

If they were sitting in the front garden drinking tea, would you still be clutching at your pearls?

This thread just stinks of "dirty unemployed drinking away my taxes and looking at me".

Honestly only mn where people will deliberately misunderstand the op!

Op I totally get you. I hate topless men anyway in the summer, I just feel like they think they own more public space than anyone else and it's always the fat pasty ones who decide to go topless , not the hunky tanned ones 😂 my dd aged 4 saw a topless man on the street as we drove past yesterday and said 'look at that man mummy, he's so naughty because he won't wear his clothes' I quite agreed 🤣

I would HATE it if I had topless neighbours sitting on the wall gawping and drinking. It is passive aggressive.

Yes topless is grim and not classy unless it's on the beach or in a private space.