Neighbour kicked my door down/broke in

[Sparklfairy]

AIBU to expect the police to arrest/remove him...?

I live alone in a flat in a block of 4. I have met this neighbour just once, and introduced myself. A few weeks ago he knocked on my door, not threateningly, but persistently - consistent knocking for 3-4 minutes... at 1.30am. I was awake as I WFH but nights, and just ignored it.

He went away, and there's been nothing since. Until yesterday at 6-something in the morning. Again, I was working but the flat was in total silence. No tv or any noise that would disturb him, I was literally just sitting on my bed.

Suddenly I heard a bang and froze. I was confused and didn't know what it was and was trying to work out where it was coming from. 3 or 4 further bangs and my front door burst open and he was stood there, swaying, glassy eyed.

I screamed. It's a studio, tiny flat, like one of those micro flats that you see advertised but yes, this is my life and I had no escape, no room to hide in, not even a bathroom with a lock on the door (as there is no lock, and the bathroom is opposite the front door).

I screamed at him, he said I was 'in' his head, fucking with his head (when I've done absolutely nothing), and when he tried to step towards me I screamed again and he suddenly 'clicked', became lucid and said ok and left. I was shaking.

My other neighbour (upstairs, but next door to him), texted me saying he heard screaming, and let me take refuge in his flat. Before I did, I obviously called 999. The police seemed non committal, that someone would come out at some point. 36 hours later I've had no visit.

But here is the kicker. When hiding in my neighbours flat, my friend/neighbour had the bright idea of just knocking on his door and talking to crazy tenant. He has recorded the conversation where crazy tenant admits I did nothing wrong but I just 'remind him' of someone and that's why he broke my door down

I rang 101 with the crime ref to update. The lady was so helpful and checked with her supervisor as she was astonished no one had come out to me yet. She reassured me that someone would attend and it had been miscategorised/recategorised now.

It's now nearly 9pm on Sunday and STILL nothing. I can't go home. The lock has been 'fixed' but obviously Crazy Tenant has proven that he can break it whenever he likes. I live alone. I have stressed every single detail which should have escalated this, but nothing is being done. I have chased with the letting agent but basically they're saying I have to wait until Monday for any action to be done. And even then, they were non committal as to WHAT would happen.

So I'm stuck, and cannot go home, and my rent is due today. I have no idea what to do.

Oh my god, how scary. I think he needs to be sectioned I hope something is done soon

Bloody hell, that's terrifying. Unmumsnetty hugs. And yes, that does definitely merit police involvement!

can you wedge a chair under the door handle? I know not ideal but would stop him getting in. Does he live alone? Sounds like he had mental health issues and so may have a social worker or someone who is meant to be looking after him.

Where are you staying tonight? Have you got somewhere safe to go?

@Sparklfairy Do you have any women's charities near you? They might be able to help you.
They will probably deal the lots of "forces" ( i can't think of the right word)
So police, mental health team, council even a locksmith

I would make plans to move. I don’t trust the authorities to do anything to long-term prevent this man from carrying out his violent delusions.

And get arrested for wasting police time? Bad advice

Do not ring the police and lie, you could be putting someone in danger who does need the police at the time

Well, they haven’t exactly taken action, have they 🤦‍♀️
I’d take my chances.
What does it have to take for this woman to feel safe in her own home?

I would go down to the police station and make a statement in person.

Don't be ridiculous.

And what about this woman? She was in danger, they didn’t respond.
Too fucking bad if it’s a lie.

She'll end up in more trouble than him if his aunt Barbara's door cam footage shows he was nowhere near the OP's flat.

Plus, they won't then believe her original story either.

@InsolentNoise I'm not going to argue with you.
It's not good advice.

Disgraceful response from emergency services,
this is most definitely an urgent matter! Your neighbour is clearly unpredictable and suffers from delusional and irrational thinking. He should be arrested for damaging your property, breaking in to your home and harassment. They will likely check if he under the care of the mental health team (which he should be). It sounds like he needs to be in some sort of supported living as he is a risk to others. I’m so glad you’re okay but this could have been a very different story. Have you got support around you?

Really stupid move. Ignore this "advice".🙄

I won't, absolutely not. I have only called back once to update when I actually have an update. He has been coming and going freely and is acting like nothing has happened.

I am in a hotel, and have drafted a complaint to my letting agent. I'm about to send it. If anyone can refine it I'd really appreciate it.

"I am very disappointed that you did not even acknowledge my email on Saturday, especially considering your duty of care obligation. You have used this 'wellbeing' of tenants to invade my privacy in the past, yet it seems completely contradictory that my safety and 'wellbeing' is being compromised now.

The Yale lock was replaced at almost 8pm on Saturday. I was so grateful that the locksmith didn't just 'clock off' after his last job ran over and he still came, but he was disgusted at the state you left the security of a vulnerable woman living alone in a flat without any escape or even a bathroom door lock. He even gave me advice to barricade the door for 'when' it happens again. I cannot barricade it. A stool was left by another tenant but it would serve no purpose. I do not have the space to accommodate other furniture to wedge, as he advised, between the door and the wall. I have nothing to protect myself.

The Yale replacement itself is as useless as no replacement at all - as the unstable tenant above me has demonstrated he can easily break it and enter my flat with little more than 4 firm kicks to the weakest point.

I note that my rent is due today. I also note that my statutory right to quiet enjoyment of my flat, free from threats, harassment, and violence, has been breached with not even a reassuring email from you, or someone covering for you at Caxtons in the event of an emergency. Of course, there is no dispute that my inability to stay in my flat due to your unpredictable and violent tenant (who can break a Yale lock in less than 10 seconds with no provocation whatsoever because of his drug use) is an emergency.

If indeed you try to claim that there is a term (implied or otherwise) within the tenancy agreement that I am obligated to pay the rent even when the property is so clearly and indisputably uninhabitable, I draw your attention to The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Terms that are unfair or unclear, such as requiring tenants to pay rent for an uninhabitable property, are not enforceable in law. This includes terms that are not explicitly defined, but implied by the actions of the Landlord and/or their agents.

I have already had to pay £138.38 for two nights in a Travelodge at short notice which will be extended indefinitely until the tenant is removed. I will, of course, be making my civil claim for losses and damages against Caxtons directly and not the Landlord if you allow this situation to escalate to that point. Mr [Landlord's name] has done absolutely nothing wrong; it is purely your failure in your duty of care that you are so quick to abuse and misrepresent when it allows you to invade my privacy that means Caxtons alone is liable for my losses.

Once the tenant has been removed, I will make a pro rata rent payment calculated for the days that the property was uninhabitable for the August-September period to offset the current September-October payment due. If the Landlord wishes to pursue this loss in rent in a civil claim, I have and will continue to collect evidence of your failure in service which demonstrates that it is not me who has breached the contract, but you. I will assist Mr [Landlord's name] by any means necessary to mitigate his losses due to your failure in service.

I await your swift resolution to this matter."
"

It sounds like he's a danger and needs detained under mental health act

That’s a great email

@Sparklfairy glad you're somewhere safe, I was trying to say that's pp advice was terrible, not saying you were lying iyswim.
Your email is very metered and calm, very well put together.
I hope you get sorted out

Suit yourself

Exactly.

The Yale lock was replaced at almost 8pm on Saturday. I was so grateful that the locksmith didn't just 'clock off' after his last job ran over and he still came, but he was disgusted at the state you left the security of a vulnerable woman living alone in a flat without any escape or even a bathroom door lock.

I wouldn't drag the locksmith into it tbh, so I'd take out the 'disgusted' bit.

Other than that it seems fine.

The police force in the UK are beyond fucking shit. That’s appalling OP and I’m sorry.

Can you keep calling them? Someone needs to attend.

Failing that a non molestation or protection from harassment order might make him think twice, although perhaps not if he’s mentally ill.